So I put on the non-foulers this past weekend. It worked pretty well, i drove around all day and didnt get a SES light until tonight, which before it kicked it out after about two miles.

So, now this brings up some questions. First about the non-foulers, are the two parts supposed to be as tight as possible, or is there supposed to be some threading between the two to increase overall space between the O2 sensor and the TP? When I tightened mine down today there was some tightening of the non-foulers.

Second, I know that there is a possibility of damaging the O2 sensors when taking them out and putting them back on, could you visually see damage or would the damage be unnoticeable and what would the damage actually be?

Lastly, is the SES code for a broken O2 sensor the same code that would be thrown from just installing the TP's without the non-foulers? I'm basically wondering if I can pinpoint whether the O2 sensors have failed or just the non-foulers not doing what they are supposed to.

and for reference I have an 04.5

thanks

 

Non foulers don't work on newer ECU and widebands as well as they did for the narrow band sensors on the old ECU. If anything they will stall dirty (rich) air in the fouler and cause the sensors to tell the engine to run lean. Just what I've seen from using them, they worked well on OBDI/narrowband cars like the old Hondas real well.

 

so would you be better off getting new O2 Sensors maybe?

 

...pardon my ignorance, guys: what's a non-fouler?

 

Tight is tight but be reasonable about torque.


The inside of the sensor and wiring is delicate. You should be removing/installing with a special socket.

 

I used the O2 sensor socket to remove and install the O2 sensors.

Oh, and the code I got is the dreaded P1273, which from searching I've seen this code as A/F ratio sensor 1, A/F ratio sensor 1 (B1) Lean shift, APR circuit failure.


so would this negatively affect performance? It seems like it hasnt, but I have noticed a drop in MPG, by about 2-3 mpg on average. But then again I could have just gotten some crappy gas.


getting new O2 sensors is probably the last thing I want to do. I'm hoping I can learn enough about them to engineer a solution

 

I've been running non-foulers for almost 1 1/2 years. Works great for me. I do get a random 02 code like every six to nine months, but I just clear it after confirming it's 02 related. Codes are just part of life when you start modding. Get a cheap scanner or Cipher to make your life easier. Oh, and like davidv suggested, you'll be well served to get an 02 socket as well. I got mine at Advanced Auto for like $12 bucks.

There's a thread in the DIY section on how to make your own Non-foulers.

 

I have an O2 socket, I used it for the install. I also have non-foulers. Thats my problem, I'm still getting the P1273 code after I install them. Once its cleared it comes back after a few miles.

 

that is strange. Maybe your o2 sensors are legitimately messed up, Ive been running no-foulers for a few hundred miles with no service engine light. (04.5 Z)

 

Try putting some steel wool inside the non-fouler too then. That has helped some.

If that doesn't work, try flip-flopping the Bank1/Bank2 sensors to see if the code follows the sensor to the other bank. That'll tell you if you have a bad sensor.

 

03-04 Zs shouldn't need them. I ran my 03 with test pipes without nonfoulers for well over a year without a SES light.

 

thats actually a great idea.

I might try the steel wool thing first since I wont have to mess with the upstream O2 sensors. I guess the idea behind this is that you're creating almost a mini catalytic converter inside the non-fouler that doesnt interfere with actual exhaust flow?

 

updates?

 

I thought non foulers were a true solution

 

well unfortunatley I havent been able to try any solutions as of yet, i was busy working on the drivers side window motor that went out. So thats been my focus the past couple weeks.

Weird thing happened the other day though, after I parked my car to watch the labor day fireworks, I came back and the SES light was gone, and stayed off for about two days. When it came back on my air conditioning went out.

The light has been on since. My first course of action will be do try the steel wool solution, then check for a blown fuse, then replace the O2 sensors.

We'll see how it goes, I'm running it at the track this weekend, so that will let me know if there are any detrimental effects to having the light on other than it just being annoying.

 

typically they are for the 04.5-06, but it appears in my case something else is amiss

 

that bites, and this is the reason I'm not getting test pipes.

 

I'm not sure I'd try the steel wool trick as I've never heard of it before. I wouldn't be comfortable having something next to my O2 sensor that could possibly damage the sensor.
I've had non-foulers for 18 months on 04.5 with no problems but I have a long single piece non-fouler. I'm not sure if the problem is due to the rigged two piece or not.

 

I was wondering if it could be due to a leak in the non-foulers, but it has that white tapey stuff between them (cant remember what its called), So I think its fine, I mean all it does is create space between the O2 sensor and the pipe.

One good note though is that the SES light has not affected performance. I went to the track this weekend, ran a 13.8 as opposed to my 14.2 before the test pipes.

 

Disconnect the battery for about 3-5 minutes. If the non-foulers are working and the O2 is in good shape, the CEL should shut off. Take it easy on the throttle for a day and see if the CEL comes right back. If it does, the non-foulers are not the issue, it's the sensors or connection.

When I installed my test pipes, I had the battery disconnected. I connected it and went for a test drive. A few miles down the road, the CEL came back. I disconnected the battery again and now it's stayed off. (Wierd)