Porsche 993 Lambda sensor/oxygen sensor

[P996]

I have been on this forum for some time and have a lovely 993 C2 (well I think its lovely). I have had the car for over 6 years and started to feel that it's performance lacks when compared to modern day vehicles, so much so that I haven't really driven it much. With it being a 95 plate, it was one of the last of that engine type before Porsche changed the engine to the varioram variant.

Since owning the car, I have always felt that you need to get into the higher revs to get the car going which is great when space allows, but I miss the acceleration from the outset. More recently, the vehicle has become hesitant when accelerating which I put down to lack of use and recent MOT's have been a close call with emissions (which the tester said was again down to lack of use).

I started to do some research on various forums and found that lambda sensors should be changed around 60k miles. I never knew this and so purchased a new sensor at £50 for a BOSCH variant. Installed on Sunday after finding a great youtube video on how to change it. The only element I would add to the great video showing how to change the sensor, is that you dont need to take the tray off at the back and jack the car, you can do it all from the back of the car at standard ride height. It only took 30mins to complete (including a cuppa). I did have some luck that the old one did come free relatively easy.

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

Well after starting, the car sounds slightly different in a good way, however the truth on whether the old sensor was on its way out would be on a drive out.

Well, as soon as I drove up the road, the car felt so different. After warming up, the car drove so well, acceleration was great, so much so that it felt like a completely different car and like when I first purchased it - lots of smiles..... I even had the emissions checked again this morning and its all perfect which suggests that the sensor was on its way out, but not enough to bring up a fault or light.


I haven't stopped smiling since do this change and cant wait to get back out in it, so I though it would be rude not to share. Get those lambda sensors checked and changed if you don't have any record of them ever being swapped out.

Regards

Smiling 'again' Porsche 993 owner

 

[decgraham]

Hi,

I fitted my original CAT back on my car last year, (I had an after market one) Gert at Carnewal fitted 200 cell inserts to it. When I fitted it, I replaced my Lambda as the one I fitted originally had the universal fitting. When I checked the Bosch Lambda booklet it says they are good for 100K Kms, about 60K miles, so it seems you are just about spot on with the change time frame.

Good job :thumb:

ATB

 

[Heuer]

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

:?:

 

[SGH]

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

:?:

Can only find one on my varioram 993

 

[Gwsinc]

The 4-O2 sensor cars are USA spec varios, and also have an SAI pump for the tighter emissions laws in some states.

 

[wilsonny]

Hi,

I fitted my original CAT back on my car last year, (I had an after market one) Gert at Carnewal fitted 200 cell inserts to it. When I fitted it, I replaced my Lambda as the one I fitted originally had the universal fitting. When I checked the Bosch Lambda booklet it says they are good for 100K Kms, about 60K miles, so it seems you are just about spot on with the change time frame.

Good job :thumb:

ATB

Was there any reason you switched back ? Ive been considering a switch to 200cells, did you experience any downsides ?

 

[decgraham]

Hi,

I fitted my original CAT back on my car last year, (I had an after market one) Gert at Carnewal fitted 200 cell inserts to it. When I fitted it, I replaced my Lambda as the one I fitted originally had the universal fitting. When I checked the Bosch Lambda booklet it says they are good for 100K Kms, about 60K miles, so it seems you are just about spot on with the change time frame.

Good job :thumb:

ATB

Was there any reason you switched back ? Ive been considering a switch to 200cells, did you experience any downsides ?

Hi wilsonny,

As my car came from the ME it didn't have a functioning CAT, the car was running on leaded fuel not un leaded. It had the CAT fitted but my car came with an oxygen adjuster not a lambda. Leaded fuel will kill a CAT so although I had a CAT the inserts were dead. To get the car to pass the ITV (MOT) here in Spain I had to modify the wiring and install a working CAT so I just bought an after market one. After running the car here in Spain for 11 years on the after market CAT I decided to put the original CAT back on the car. To do this I needed to have new inserts put into the CAT which Gert at Carnewal did. Once fitted the car ran absolutely fine, passed the emission test with flying colours and has been running just fine for the last 14 months. So to answer your question, no downside with the 200 cell CAT.

ATB

 

[Jet Jock]

Similar experience. Struggled each year to get my C2 through the Irish equivalent of the MOT. I would have to rag it on the motorway to get it hot enough to pass. I even was looking at changing the 100 Cell Cargraphic cats I have on her. Anyway, last month my trusted Indy decided to change the Lambda sensor as he thought it looked a little tired. And yep, it sailed through the test well under test limits. The simple things sometimes. Happy Chappy :thumb: .

 

[Heuer]

According to Bosch their Lambda sensor has a life expectancy of 160,000 Km. Not sure how this claim compares to user experience.

 

[decgraham]

According to Bosch their Lambda sensor has a life expectancy of 160,000 Km. Not sure how this claim compares to user experience.

Yep I stand corrected, 160K Kms.

ATB

 

[wozy]

I have been on this forum for some time and have a lovely 993 C2 (well I think its lovely). I have had the car for over 6 years and started to feel that it's performance lacks when compared to modern day vehicles, so much so that I haven't really driven it much. With it being a 95 plate, it was one of the last of that engine type before Porsche changed the engine to the varioram variant.

Since owning the car, I have always felt that you need to get into the higher revs to get the car going which is great when space allows, but I miss the acceleration from the outset. More recently, the vehicle has become hesitant when accelerating which I put down to lack of use and recent MOT's have been a close call with emissions (which the tester said was again down to lack of use).

I started to do some research on various forums and found that lambda sensors should be changed around 60k miles. I never knew this and so purchased a new sensor at £50 for a BOSCH variant. Installed on Sunday after finding a great youtube video on how to change it. The only element I would add to the great video showing how to change the sensor, is that you dont need to take the tray off at the back and jack the car, you can do it all from the back of the car at standard ride height. It only took 30mins to complete (including a cuppa). I did have some luck that the old one did come free relatively easy.

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

Well after starting, the car sounds slightly different in a good way, however the truth on whether the old sensor was on its way out would be on a drive out.

Well, as soon as I drove up the road, the car felt so different. After warming up, the car drove so well, acceleration was great, so much so that it felt like a completely different car and like when I first purchased it - lots of smiles..... I even had the emissions checked again this morning and its all perfect which suggests that the sensor was on its way out, but not enough to bring up a fault or light.


I haven't stopped smiling since do this change and cant wait to get back out in it, so I though it would be rude not to share. Get those lambda sensors checked and changed if you don't have any record of them ever being swapped out.

Regards

Smiling 'again' Porsche 993 owner

You're a lucky man. I also have hesitation under acceleration but replacing my 02 sensor has made no difference whatsoever. I'm now looking at the MAF :dont know:

Fair play getting the Bosch item for £50 ... Mine cost £98 :roll:

 

[wozy]

I have been on this forum for some time and have a lovely 993 C2 (well I think its lovely). I have had the car for over 6 years and started to feel that it's performance lacks when compared to modern day vehicles, so much so that I haven't really driven it much. With it being a 95 plate, it was one of the last of that engine type before Porsche changed the engine to the varioram variant.

Since owning the car, I have always felt that you need to get into the higher revs to get the car going which is great when space allows, but I miss the acceleration from the outset. More recently, the vehicle has become hesitant when accelerating which I put down to lack of use and recent MOT's have been a close call with emissions (which the tester said was again down to lack of use).

I started to do some research on various forums and found that lambda sensors should be changed around 60k miles. I never knew this and so purchased a new sensor at £50 for a BOSCH variant. Installed on Sunday after finding a great youtube video on how to change it. The only element I would add to the great video showing how to change the sensor, is that you dont need to take the tray off at the back and jack the car, you can do it all from the back of the car at standard ride height. It only took 30mins to complete (including a cuppa). I did have some luck that the old one did come free relatively easy.

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

Well after starting, the car sounds slightly different in a good way, however the truth on whether the old sensor was on its way out would be on a drive out.

Well, as soon as I drove up the road, the car felt so different. After warming up, the car drove so well, acceleration was great, so much so that it felt like a completely different car and like when I first purchased it - lots of smiles..... I even had the emissions checked again this morning and its all perfect which suggests that the sensor was on its way out, but not enough to bring up a fault or light.


I haven't stopped smiling since do this change and cant wait to get back out in it, so I though it would be rude not to share. Get those lambda sensors checked and changed if you don't have any record of them ever being swapped out.

Regards

Smiling 'again' Porsche 993 owner

You're a lucky man. I also have hesitation under acceleration but replacing my 02 sensor has made no difference whatsoever. I'm now looking at the MAF :dont know:

Fair play getting the Bosch item for £50 ... Mine cost £98 :roll:

 

[moo75x]

I have been on this forum for some time and have a lovely 993 C2 (well I think its lovely). I have had the car for over 6 years and started to feel that it's performance lacks when compared to modern day vehicles, so much so that I haven't really driven it much. With it being a 95 plate, it was one of the last of that engine type before Porsche changed the engine to the varioram variant.

Since owning the car, I have always felt that you need to get into the higher revs to get the car going which is great when space allows, but I miss the acceleration from the outset. More recently, the vehicle has become hesitant when accelerating which I put down to lack of use and recent MOT's have been a close call with emissions (which the tester said was again down to lack of use).

I started to do some research on various forums and found that lambda sensors should be changed around 60k miles. I never knew this and so purchased a new sensor at £50 for a BOSCH variant. Installed on Sunday after finding a great youtube video on how to change it. The only element I would add to the great video showing how to change the sensor, is that you dont need to take the tray off at the back and jack the car, you can do it all from the back of the car at standard ride height. It only took 30mins to complete (including a cuppa). I did have some luck that the old one did come free relatively easy.

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

Well after starting, the car sounds slightly different in a good way, however the truth on whether the old sensor was on its way out would be on a drive out.

Well, as soon as I drove up the road, the car felt so different. After warming up, the car drove so well, acceleration was great, so much so that it felt like a completely different car and like when I first purchased it - lots of smiles..... I even had the emissions checked again this morning and its all perfect which suggests that the sensor was on its way out, but not enough to bring up a fault or light.


I haven't stopped smiling since do this change and cant wait to get back out in it, so I though it would be rude not to share. Get those lambda sensors checked and changed if you don't have any record of them ever being swapped out.

Regards

Smiling 'again' Porsche 993 owner

You're a lucky man. I also have hesitation under acceleration but replacing my 02 sensor has made no difference whatsoever. I'm now looking at the MAF :dont know:

Fair play getting the Bosch item for £50 ... Mine cost £98 :roll:

Mine has a hesitation under 3000 revs too - feels like bogging down a bit but idle etc are all good - I have her booked in with Strasse Leeds from 5th Aug and theyre going to take a good look at her to see what could be causing this, if indeed there is anything wrong, a fair number of people report thats just how they are. Never having had one before I wouldnt know if its right or not - they did say they have a few things to check over so this may be one of several things to try.

 

[wilsonny]

Hi,

So to answer your question, no downside with the 200 cell CAT.

ATB

Thanks :thumb:

 

[wozy]

I have been on this forum for some time and have a lovely 993 C2 (well I think its lovely). I have had the car for over 6 years and started to feel that it's performance lacks when compared to modern day vehicles, so much so that I haven't really driven it much. With it being a 95 plate, it was one of the last of that engine type before Porsche changed the engine to the varioram variant.

Since owning the car, I have always felt that you need to get into the higher revs to get the car going which is great when space allows, but I miss the acceleration from the outset. More recently, the vehicle has become hesitant when accelerating which I put down to lack of use and recent MOT's have been a close call with emissions (which the tester said was again down to lack of use).

I started to do some research on various forums and found that lambda sensors should be changed around 60k miles. I never knew this and so purchased a new sensor at £50 for a BOSCH variant. Installed on Sunday after finding a great youtube video on how to change it. The only element I would add to the great video showing how to change the sensor, is that you dont need to take the tray off at the back and jack the car, you can do it all from the back of the car at standard ride height. It only took 30mins to complete (including a cuppa). I did have some luck that the old one did come free relatively easy.

Note: I only have one lambda sensor. Varioram engines have four and will require undertrays to be removed.

Well after starting, the car sounds slightly different in a good way, however the truth on whether the old sensor was on its way out would be on a drive out.

Well, as soon as I drove up the road, the car felt so different. After warming up, the car drove so well, acceleration was great, so much so that it felt like a completely different car and like when I first purchased it - lots of smiles..... I even had the emissions checked again this morning and its all perfect which suggests that the sensor was on its way out, but not enough to bring up a fault or light.


I haven't stopped smiling since do this change and cant wait to get back out in it, so I though it would be rude not to share. Get those lambda sensors checked and changed if you don't have any record of them ever being swapped out.

Regards

Smiling 'again' Porsche 993 owner

You're a lucky man. I also have hesitation under acceleration but replacing my 02 sensor has made no difference whatsoever. I'm now looking at the MAF :dont know:

Fair play getting the Bosch item for £50 ... Mine cost £98 :roll:

Mine has a hesitation under 3000 revs too - feels like bogging down a bit but idle etc are all good - I have her booked in with Strasse Leeds from 5th Aug and theyre going to take a good look at her to see what could be causing this, if indeed there is anything wrong, a fair number of people report thats just how they are. Never having had one before I wouldnt know if its right or not - they did say they have a few things to check over so this may be one of several things to try.

Mine has hesitation throughout the rev range ... it's absolutely doing my nut in :?