Lude Generation

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:47 pm**

My car has just failed on the emissions. The cat is only about 6 months old, am I right in thinking it might be a faulty sensor?

Thanks.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:53 pm**

Yes. The sensor is only effective for about 8 years.
You can buy cheap ones on eBay but you take a chance with them.

NGK/NTK OEM ones cost about £60 new. I would advise not using second-hand, but that's just me.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:57 pm**

Thanks Pushki, hopefully that should do the trick. I'll order one today. Don't know what else to do if that doesn't work.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:21 pm**

I've heard that adding some Redex to the tank and giving the car a good blast just before the test, will help with the emissions.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:32 pm**

Pushki, you say they only last for about 8 years, would I gain any advantages in replacing mine?

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:39 pm**

Here is the information I found when replacing mine.

The oxygen sensor in most Honda's has a design life of approx. 8 years.
Although your O2 sensor may not have failed completely, they start to become less efficient with age.
They become "lazy" and do not respond as quickly as when new, this causes rough running and poor fuel economy.
They can also shorten the life of your catalytic converter, which is another expensive item to replace.
So if your Prelude hasn't had a replacement oxygen sensor yet, get one.
Although you can find "generic" sensors much cheaper that do the job, they do not necessarily work as efficiently as the OEM one.

I ordered mine from RockAuto in the US.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:35 pm**

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they screw into the exhaust? The problem I've got is that my exhaust is a little rusty so I'm worried I'll damage my exhaust while replacing the sensor.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:59 pm**

They do screw in. Just be careful when taking the old one out.

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:38 pm**

The first thing I'd do is remove my egr valve and give it a real good blast with carb cleaner. Removing an o2 sensor from a rusted old exhaust is soul destroying!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol

Posted: **Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:48 pm**

Which one did you get off rockauto Pushki?

Lude Generation

5th Gen 2.2 Lambda Sensor

5th Gen 2.2 Lambda Sensor

Re: 5th Gen 2.2 Lambda Sensor

Re: 5th Gen 2.2 Lambda Sensor