Alright, I BOMBED the emissions, you guys probably know that. And the results were HC's being 4X the legal limit (RICH). I was running the Apex'i Twin Chamber BOV for about 6 months, checked my plugs, and based on Haynes' picture guide, I have carbon deposits on them. So, reason failing being a bad o2 senor due to running rich for so long, correct? And I should also change my plugs, right?

Then there's my dad. He's 50, he's a Marine, I'm scared of him, and he thinks he is the "know it all" about cars. I'm not saying I'm the most knowledgable person, but I know my DSM pretty good, and if I don't, I come here.

So, he calls me up from Norway, and starts blaming my crappy car for not passing emissions because I "did something to it" that the "o2 sensor is FINE" that the plugs are fine, and that it's because I touched my MAF sensor. Well, I touched the MAF sensor, took out the lower honey comb and backed the screw out a tad. That will make my car run LEAN, correct?

Guys, help me out here. I know it's gotta be the o2 sensor, and not from LEANING out my MAF sensor. I'll put the honey comb back in, I'll screw the MAF adjuster in a little more, change my plugs, just tell me it's the o2 sensor! I'm right, he's wrong!

Thanks, Nick

You are both right. You fucked up by venting the BOV and as a result the engine ran rich and killed the plugs and o2 sensor. :)

My dad doesn't believe venting caused it to be rich, that venting wrecking my plugs and o2 sensor. He blames me for everything. Yes, I vented, and am guilty. He doesn't understand the consequences of venting though... Thanks, change the o2 sensor now? LOL

Yes change out those plugs. I'd rather do a voltage test on it before going out a buying a sensor, unless you're absolutely sure that it's the culprit.

Venting DID kill your plugs and o2 sensor. What is the confusion here?

on a side note, autozone / pep boys / etc. generally (as i've found) don't have NGKBP6ES plugs in stock, so call ahead and check before you make the drive. They will, however, bring them in from another store for you, which is what I recommend. You can also get them from
www.sparkplugs.com but they take a WHILE for what you're getting and they're not any cheaper (in fact, they're more expensive) than autozone.

The plugs gap at .028 to .030----NGK's tend to come out of the box gapped for .035 ish, so don't just drop them in. also, try and pick up the high quality (high temp) anti-sieze at autozone. It looks like a giant stick of gray chapstick, and it makes getting plugs out MUCH easier and takes the nerves out of screwing metal into an aluminum head.

I get my plugs from a source off of ebay. $18 shipped for 4 NGK 7es which is pretty good to me and they ship FAST! I paypaled my cash for Mag 8.5s and NGK 7s on noon on monday, and got them wed! I don't like Autozone, Advance Auto, and Pep Boys isn't near me. I had to order a clutch master from Autozone, and they charged me $7 shipping to get it from the warehouse, because it was not stocked... WTF?!? My local auto parts store (wanted too much for the master cylinder) has same day warehouse delivery (if ordered before noon) by 4pm, and I've been going there since I was like 5yrs old, so I get the major discounts on everything that they can give me! Thanks though.

I might go with the NTK (NGK) universal mitsubishi 4-wire o2 sensor. It's $45 and I'm out of cash. I'm depending on my tax returns to help me out until I can nail down this $50k/yr job.

Thanks guys, o2 sensor it is, boy is my dad going to be pissed...

Originally posted by NHH223
Thanks guys, o2 sensor it is, boy is my dad going to be pissed...

What are you talking about? Your dad was right. You fucked with the car which in turn fucked up the o2 sensor. YOU CAUSED THE PROBLEM YOURSELF!

Also I am glad you are spending $18 dollars for spark plugs. I get them for about $2.20 each from Advance Auto.

I think you might be doing basically everything backwards with this whole car thing.

Originally posted by Jeff_99gs
I think you might be doing basically everything backwards with this whole car thing.

lol

Do you have a Orielys near you, They have ngk plugs. That is were I get mine, and they are 2.50 a piece

Venting caused the problem, but here's what my dad thinks...

1) There is no consequences of venting a BOV
2) It does not make my car run rich
3) Spark plugs and o2 sensors don't get destroyed when venting
4) Whenever I "touch, adjust, or play with" something on my car, it will result in emissions/safety state inspection failure
5) I have no idea what I'm talking about

My dad just doesn't get it. He thinks he knows everything about cars, and for me, I put the BOV on my car cuz I was being a Ricer. I got to the forums TOO LATE and can't help that fact and messed up o2 sensors and a good set of plugs.

Also, DOES Advance Auto have NGK 7s in stock? They said they don't carry them, and so going on-line for plugs seemed like the best bet for me. At this point, my GS-T is a huge mess of problems, and hopefully when this new job of mine starts giving me cash, I can fix ALL OF THEM... and people wonder why I want to garage my hunk of junk and get a spanking new STi to drive around...

Originally posted by NHH223
Also, DOES Advance Auto have NGK 7s in stock? They said they don't carry them, and so going on-line for plugs seemed like the best bet for me. At this point, my GS-T is a huge mess of problems, and hopefully when this new job of mine starts giving me cash, I can fix ALL OF THEM... and people wonder why I want to garage my hunk of junk and get a spanking new STi to drive around...

First of all, you don't need 7's yet, you need 6's. Second, Advance Auto should stock 6's because they are the factory plugs for the 90-99 DSMs. They usually keeps factory plugs in stock. If not, any Advance Auto can have the plugs in the store the next day. I have been to 5-6 Advance stores all over the country and they all either carry stock 6's or they can be ordered and in store the next day. Same with 7's.

Originally posted by NHH223
I might go with the NTK (NGK) universal mitsubishi 4-wire o2 sensor. It's $45 and I'm out of cash.

Trust me, don't skimp on the O2 sensor. People have had miserable results with others...Just bite the bullet and get it from satan---but I would try some of the "new" conicelli-esq places first.

What I can definitely forsee happening here is you spend an extra $45 on your 02 sensor because you had to get the OEM one anyway...

I'll shoot for the OEM sensor, or WAIT until July-ish till this damn job gets finally settled down. I'm planning on sinking another $500-$1000 in preventative and badly needed maintenance.