I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX with LEV rating

My check engine light recently came on with code P0141 which is an 02 sensor issue. My mechanic was telling me I have a California car (since it says LEV) despite the car being bought in North Carolina, and that I would need a California 02 sensor which is apparently much more expensive.

Is this correct?

How easy is it to replace this 02 sensor if i bought the part myself? I think code 141 refers to the 2nd 02 sensor after the catalytic converter.

Thanks in advance.

Doug

 

Looks like you can get an ngk replacement for your california car for like 157 dollars... The part number is ngk-24258... But as long as you dont live in california, your car doesnt have to meet its emissions, so you could just get a regular o2 made for your car for like 50-80 dollars...

 

I don't think you can just swap the sensor. Your ECU wants to see a wideband sensor, not a "normal" one. I think the wattage of the preheater is different too.

LEV isn't just California. Some cars get swapped around the country to meet demand, some California people move away & then sell their car, etc. etc.

California requires some %% of cars to be LEV and ULEV. Other parts of the country don't prohibit LEV.

 

How can I tell if it is a California car then? They sell different 02 sensors depending on whether it is a CA car or not.

 

Find a store that goes by the engine type.
Look on the engine block for a flat surface where the serial # is stamped. First line is the engine type.
K24A4
K24A?
K24???whatever
(2nd line is the block serial #)

Or sometimes the store will go by whether the engine is "LEV" or "ULEV" or "SULEV".
I think in 2004 the LEV engine is the least "clean" of the bunch anyway.