DBM, which service manual do you suggest, Haynes or Chiltons, or doesn't it make a bit of difference. I'm tired of asking questions like the one I'm about to ask.

How many O2 sensors do our cars have? Do we just have 1 for each cylinder bank, or do we have 1 for each bank and a 3rd farther back to kindof monitor both banks in conjunction.

Now the nitrous question. I asked before about A/F guage vs. EGT guage, and gathered that I should go with the EGT guage instead because A/F guages aren't that great at telling you whether you are running rich or lean. I had an idea however...

Isn't the A/F guage only as accurate as the O2 sensor you have it hooked up to? I may have to replace an 02 sensor as I'm pulling code 0503 (rear bank, cyls 1,3,5.) In that case, wouldn't it be a good idea to run an A/F guage off a brand new sensor, since it will be as accurate as it can ever be? Or do you still suggest getting an EGT guage rather than A/F guage. This leads me to one last question. I asked above how many O2 sensors we have. If the answer to that is 2, then which bank should I run the A/F guage off of ideally, or doesn't it matter? If the answer is three, I assume I should run the A/F guage off of the sensor that monitors the entire exhaust flow, not just one bank, right?

Thanks for putting up with my questions.

 

I'm not DBM, but I might be able to answer the first two questions:

I've owned both the Haynes and the Chiltons, and I guess I prefer the Haynes a little more (although someone who's done more in depth work to their Max might answer otherwise). Picked up a Haynes for $12.99 at Smack Auto.

The bank for cylinders 1, 3, 5 has an O2 sensor and so does the bank for cylinders 2, 4, 6. And there's an O2 near the cat. Think that's it...

 

Haynes is the best choice for most home mechanics. If you intend to rebuild an automatic transmission or need detailed information about the air conditioning system, then you need the factory service manual. I have all three books and usually reach for Haynes first. For a detailed comparison of manuals, see http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/manualcompare.html

 

Most 4Gen Maximas have three Oxygen Sensors. There are two "front" Oxygen Sensors, one mounted in each branch of the Y-pipe. There is one "rear" sensor mounted just downstream of the Catalytic Converter. The Engine Control Module (the computer) uses the signals from the two front sensors to control the fuel mixture. When the front sensors are operating normally the rear sensor is used only to monitor the performance of the Catalytic Converter.

 

Yes, the EGT is the best choice between the 2. I personally use both.

The A/F is accurate but not that accurate to let you know something is wrong ahead of time before damage is done.

Now the A/F is more for show but if can be just as useful as a EGT if you get a seperate O2 sensor for it. You can run the A/F off of any bank you want but remember, 1 bank only tells you teh mixture for 3 cylinders not 6. That is why a seperate should be bought. It will be more accurate and read all 6 cylinders. Right now my A/F is running off the front bank (right in front of valve cover). The EGT will bascially tell you if your running lean or rich as well based on teh temp of your exhaust. It never hurts to have both when playing wiht NOS. Cant cut corners.