Lambda Sensors
Discussion
Unfortunately 30 miles on the rollers killed one of my lambdas
Joolz correctly predicted that it would be a generic sensor, and not one made by NTK or Sagem, the one didn't give any problems I can clearly see is NTK
Although it's not impossible to change the sensor, connecting and disconnecting it from the loom is very tricky, even with slender arms
So I definitely recommend following Joolz' advice that cheap generics are avoided, and only sensors marked "Japan NTK" or "Japan Sagem" are used
I'll have to add that to my list of parts where it doesn't pay to use cheap generics, such as Ball Joints - only Lemforder now for me
Joolz correctly predicted that it would be a generic sensor, and not one made by NTK or Sagem, the one didn't give any problems I can clearly see is NTK
Although it's not impossible to change the sensor, connecting and disconnecting it from the loom is very tricky, even with slender arms
So I definitely recommend following Joolz' advice that cheap generics are avoided, and only sensors marked "Japan NTK" or "Japan Sagem" are used
I'll have to add that to my list of parts where it doesn't pay to use cheap generics, such as Ball Joints - only Lemforder now for me
Why would anyone put that in there. Ignorant to what parts are best to use most likely or a skin flint 
Considering how important they are to good running and mixture you’d not knowingly put cheap ones in surely.
I do like how Joolz checks everything over before he starts which can be a remedy for a number or small issues right there.
Buy cheap by twice and all that
Considering how important they are to good running and mixture you’d not knowingly put cheap ones in surely.
I do like how Joolz checks everything over before he starts which can be a remedy for a number or small issues right there.
Buy cheap by twice and all that
Typically, most owners are aware of tvr tax whilst knowing the cars used so many cross over parts that are cheap if it's a ford part and expensive if it's labelled tvr, even though it's a ford part.
Some areas you shouldn't skimp on though and this is one of them, ditto for spark plugs etc.
Some areas you shouldn't skimp on though and this is one of them, ditto for spark plugs etc.
I find the term Tvr tax slightly unfortunate as try buying o/e parts for any modern vehicle and they are nearly always more expensive than from a parts shop.
If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
Classic Chim said:
I find the term Tvr tax slightly unfortunate as try buying o/e parts for any modern vehicle and they are nearly always more expensive than from a parts shop.
If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
Well said, Sir. If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
You won't miss them 'til they're gone.Too many people still buy on price, but quality (especially where safety is concerned) is everything. Classic and recent examples discussed on here include CV boots, suspension joints and fuel hose as well as sensors.
Classic Chim said:
I find the term Tvr tax slightly unfortunate as try buying o/e parts for any modern vehicle and they are nearly always more expensive than from a parts shop.
If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
Hmm.. What about coil packs..? Available for about £40 each (Bosch), same packs from some TVR suppliers.. £120 each.. If the suppliers of parts for Tvr cars go out of business that Tvr tax might seem a small thing compared to chasing around trying to find the correct part that’s made by a reputable company etc etc.
Compared to any other specialist brand Tvr tax is not so bad is how I’ve found it so often just go with the trusted suppliers like Powers and rarely has any parts failed which to me is a bigger deal than saving a few quid.
I buy my parts as a mix of TVR suppliers, or finding a quality part outside of the network and have made some big savings. Other times the price is close enough that I will support the TVR supplier. I generally find TVR Parts very competitive with very good service tbh. I've had one issue where I did have to argue my point, but 2 e-mails and an image later as it was solved and a replacement part the next day.
Classic Chim said:
Why would anyone put that in there. Ignorant to what parts are best to use most likely or a skin flint
Yup that's me - I try to run my car on the lowest budget imaginableThat's so that I have enough left over to actually use the damn thing
This weekend's trip to the Ring will cost an absolute minimum of £1,500, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong - which is a bold assumption
I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't try every possible money saving tactic possible
ukkid35 said:
Yup that's me - I try to run my car on the lowest budget imaginable
That's so that I have enough left over to actually use the damn thing
This weekend's trip to the Ring will cost an absolute minimum of £1,500, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong - which is a bold assumption
I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't try every possible money saving tactic possible
I think we all do, but a trip to the ring That's so that I have enough left over to actually use the damn thing
This weekend's trip to the Ring will cost an absolute minimum of £1,500, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong - which is a bold assumption
I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't try every possible money saving tactic possible
is always a pleasure and the idea of a cheap part failing would ruin the experience somewhat. I grew up around racers and dads who helped them win, I’ve learnt a lot from that experience.
Saying that if the exact same brand product was available for less than 1/2 price i’d buy it as that’s just profiteering!
It’s all the other smaller parts that we need that some companies work hard to source that usually has me paying the bit extra for mundane stuff so hopefully they are there when I need them most.
My car has never ever broken down so between us were doing something right. Cursed myself now but I’m very confident none the less.m
Have a great trip by the way
TwinKam said:
Well said, Sir. You won't miss them 'til they're gone.
Too many people still buy on price, but quality (especially where safety is concerned) is everything. Classic and recent examples discussed on here include CV boots, suspension joints and fuel hose as well as sensors.
Thanks You won't miss them 'til they're gone.Too many people still buy on price, but quality (especially where safety is concerned) is everything. Classic and recent examples discussed on here include CV boots, suspension joints and fuel hose as well as sensors.
ukkid35 said:
We have a Sticky on this forum to help owners find Alternative Parts rather than rely on the Usual Suspects
Are you suggesting that it is taken down?
Who me? Are you suggesting that it is taken down?
No. I had no idea such a sticky even existed.
Unless you have some mechanical experience finding the correct parts that are reliable can be very frustrating when sat at the side of the road.
If people know better then that’s great but we can’t assume every owner is so savvy or even wishes to spend time resourcing or trawling the Internet.
I’d wager most rely on the experts providing the correct parts so if and when some retire or just give up many will struggle to keep their cars on the road so there’s a bigger picture than just saving a few quid everynow and then.
Lists as you’ve mentioned are very useful and going forward might be how many owners keep these cars on the road so I’m not averse to such things.
It’s your car that has a cheap part that’s failed and for how long has it been giving spurious readings,,, on a very expensive engine to repair its not the best choice imho
To many of these cars will end up broken down with owners wondering what’s gone wrong based on parts they think are operating properly,,, just look at the history of stepper motors on the RV Engines as a classic example of cheap none o/e crap that causes more stress than they are ever worth.
Taking cars back and forth to experts to diagnose such problems is very expensive compared to just buying known good parts.
If you are knowledgeable enough to buy your own stuff that’s great.
Classic Chim said:
Who me?
No. I had no idea such a sticky even existed.
Unless you have some mechanical experience finding the correct parts that are reliable can be very frustrating when sat at the side of the road.
If people know better then that’s great but we can’t assume every owner is so savvy or even wishes to spend time resourcing or trawling the Internet.
I’d wager most rely on the experts providing the correct parts so if and when some retire or just give up many will struggle to keep their cars on the road so there’s a bigger picture than just saving a few quid everynow and then.
Lists as you’ve mentioned are very useful and going forward might be how many owners keep these cars on the road so I’m not averse to such things.
It’s your car that has a cheap part that’s failed and for how long has it been giving spurious readings,,, on a very expensive engine to repair its not the best choice imho
To many of these cars will end up broken down with owners wondering what’s gone wrong based on parts they think are operating properly,,, just look at the history of stepper motors on the RV Engines as a classic example of cheap none o/e crap that causes more stress than they are ever worth.
Taking cars back and forth to experts to diagnose such problems is very expensive compared to just buying known good parts.
If you are knowledgeable enough to buy your own stuff that’s great.
Equivalent partsNo. I had no idea such a sticky even existed.
Unless you have some mechanical experience finding the correct parts that are reliable can be very frustrating when sat at the side of the road.
If people know better then that’s great but we can’t assume every owner is so savvy or even wishes to spend time resourcing or trawling the Internet.
I’d wager most rely on the experts providing the correct parts so if and when some retire or just give up many will struggle to keep their cars on the road so there’s a bigger picture than just saving a few quid everynow and then.
Lists as you’ve mentioned are very useful and going forward might be how many owners keep these cars on the road so I’m not averse to such things.
It’s your car that has a cheap part that’s failed and for how long has it been giving spurious readings,,, on a very expensive engine to repair its not the best choice imho
To many of these cars will end up broken down with owners wondering what’s gone wrong based on parts they think are operating properly,,, just look at the history of stepper motors on the RV Engines as a classic example of cheap none o/e crap that causes more stress than they are ever worth.
Taking cars back and forth to experts to diagnose such problems is very expensive compared to just buying known good parts.
If you are knowledgeable enough to buy your own stuff that’s great.
https://www.alexjudd.com/cerbera/parts/
Jhonno said:
Whoever put that together deserves a medal 
ukkid35 said:
We have a Sticky on this forum to help owners find Alternative Parts rather than rely on the Usual Suspects
Are you suggesting that it is taken down?
Are you suggesting that it is taken down?
ClassicChim said:
No
Nor me. It's a good resource.It often does pay to intercept the supply line of the OE quality part and eg buy that Bosch coil before it gets put in a FoMoCo box.
But caveat emptor, not all aftermarket parts are equal. With 40 years of business in the trade, I have an empirically derived list of good and poor quality manufacturers, brands to use and those to avoid like the plague. Sadly, naming and shaming isn't allowed on PH, besides, one man's meat is another's poison and to divulge on here is to open a tin of worms, with some swearing by brands that I would simply swear at (and possibly vice versa).
Brands sometimes change owners too (and that usually impacts negatively on quality), so the list has to evolve.
Also beware the fake parts online... parts in utterly convincing Bosch & SKF boxes have been known, so it follows to buy from a trusted source too. These trusted sources, including the 'Usual Sources', will inevitably be dearer because they are reputable businesses, with overheads incl paying UK tax and rates, and selling the pukka parts. Including ones that they get specially manufactured, let's not forget that, so we do need to use them when we can.
One thing is certain, if you are chasing cheapness, then at some point you will end up being let down by poor quality parts.
Edited by TwinKam on Friday 17th May 13:33
Classic Chim said:
Jhonno said:
Whoever put that together deserves a medal I worked in car parts as a youth some 40 years ago and cheap alternatives were available even then.
Some ok some not fit for purpose and supplying mechanics with good parts was the name of the game or go bust or get a black eye or both
With manufacturing more and more going to China and the likes its no surprise many parts are not fit forsale but the internet allows this to carry on.
I’m sure the Chinese are trying to totally screw up our lives with such crap. Is this racist or an astute observation.
A friend bought some test equipment because it seemed good value except it caused a major disaster simply because the test equipment was totally useless.
Same with tools etc etc, id not lean on some s
tty spanner if I want my hands to stay intact. You get what you pays for.
Some ok some not fit for purpose and supplying mechanics with good parts was the name of the game or go bust or get a black eye or both
With manufacturing more and more going to China and the likes its no surprise many parts are not fit forsale but the internet allows this to carry on.
I’m sure the Chinese are trying to totally screw up our lives with such crap. Is this racist or an astute observation.
A friend bought some test equipment because it seemed good value except it caused a major disaster simply because the test equipment was totally useless.
Same with tools etc etc, id not lean on some s
tty spanner if I want my hands to stay intact. You get what you pays for. Classic Chim said:
I worked in car parts as a youth some 40 years ago and cheap alternatives were available even then.
Some ok some not fit for purpose and supplying mechanics with good parts was the name of the game or go bust or get a black eye or both
With manufacturing more and more going to China and the likes its no surprise many parts are not fit forsale but the internet allows this to carry on.
I’m sure the Chinese are trying to totally screw up our lives with such crap. Is this racist or an astute observation.
A friend bought some test equipment because it seemed good value except it caused a major disaster simply because the test equipment was totally useless.
Same with tools etc etc, id not lean on some stty spanner if I want my hands to stay intact. You get what you pays for.
There of course being a difference between cheap sSome ok some not fit for purpose and supplying mechanics with good parts was the name of the game or go bust or get a black eye or both
With manufacturing more and more going to China and the likes its no surprise many parts are not fit forsale but the internet allows this to carry on.
I’m sure the Chinese are trying to totally screw up our lives with such crap. Is this racist or an astute observation.
A friend bought some test equipment because it seemed good value except it caused a major disaster simply because the test equipment was totally useless.
Same with tools etc etc, id not lean on some s
tty spanner if I want my hands to stay intact. You get what you pays for. te, and quality parts for sensible prices.Edited by Jhonno on Friday 17th May 16:56
Clearly. The problem is until you have bought something and used it it’s hard to know what is the good from the bad.
I’m making a general observation rather than picking out certain products.
If you feel you can buy your parts successfully that’s just fine.
Ok I’ll phrase it another way
I’m glad there are people out there who can provide me with parts that I’d expect to work and have some come back on. I just need to pick up the phone.
This is worth a fair bit to me but if a very obvious product which is readily available elsewhere 1/2 price there’s a good chance I’ll buy it.
I’m making a general observation rather than picking out certain products.
If you feel you can buy your parts successfully that’s just fine.
Ok I’ll phrase it another way
I’m glad there are people out there who can provide me with parts that I’d expect to work and have some come back on. I just need to pick up the phone.
This is worth a fair bit to me but if a very obvious product which is readily available elsewhere 1/2 price there’s a good chance I’ll buy it.
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