replaced 02 sensor - drivability improves - oh YEAH!

[Livolsi, Stephane]

Car is an 86 5ktq

On an impulse, I picked up a neihoff O2 sensor at the FLAPS.  I wanted a
Bosch but there are NONE locally, and like I said, it was an impulse - I
just finally wanted to do it, so I did it.  Also, I'm going on a 1000 +km
holiday starting Sunday and I want to see what difference the sensor makes
in mileage. Cost was $52 Canadian. Not bad.

Anyhoo.... I did the cut and paste, spliced my old connector onto the new
sensor - soldered and heat shrink tubed.  It was all quite painless, except
for the short time when I cut the wires right at the tip of the old sensor
to get my deep socket on.  I was pretty much committed then, eh?  Don't know
what I would have done if I couldn't break it free.  Turned out to be a non
issue as it came free pretty easily.  Engine was still quite hot so that
might have helped.

Afterwards, the test drive was so different than what I was used to.  I've
been working on this car steady now for 4-5 years (not all engine related)
and it just gets better and better.
Idle is now very stable and smooth.  Acceleration is steady and strong and
it seems to me I am hitting 1.4 bar sooner, but not really positive.

Others have said it, and I'll echo....if you have one of these older Audis
and you haven't done it yet, change your 02 sensor.  It's one of those
things that will bring a smile back to your face at 5000 rpm in 3rd gear -
;O  - you know what I mean.

As for the old sensor, it was a genuine bosch but,,,,welll.....let's put it
this way - isn't it supposed to have slots?
Seriously the tip was all plugged up.  It was a nice even rusty tan color,
like spark plugs are supposed to be so I suppose my engine internals are ok,
but very heavy on the deposits.  Based on my 'seat of the pants' results,
and the visual inspection, I bet it wasn't working at all.

Many thanks to all the listers for their BTDT info.

Stephane