o2 sensor

[crimsondragon]

so after gettin fed up wit a check engine light comin on and off i took the car back to the dealer who diagnosed it for free. they said that the o2 sensor was dirty and they cleaned it but it might be permantly damaged. so they told me to go drive it first and if it CEL comes back on to take it back for a replacement. when i asked how much it was to replace, they said it'll cost $390 w/ labor. WTF

after thinkin it through i was wonderin would it be difficult for me to replace it myself? i googled for sum sensors and they're like $30-50 but i have to figure out which one is the right fit. should i just get a new o2 sensor housing just for the hell of it? will it come wit a new sensor?

 

[Loewen21]

390 is a ridiculous price. Order a new sensor and install it yourself. If you get one with a plug in harness that doesnt have to splice wires it can be done in about 10 minutes. Absolutely no need to get a new 02 housing, and it most likely wouldnt come with a sensor anyways.

 

[DSMunknown]

Which sensor is it? The first one or the second one? Depending on which one you need to have replaced, you can buy it yourself here. The first sensor is extremely easy to replace. The second one is a little tougher, but still doable.

 

[bling5tatus]

The hardest part about doing an o2 sensor is breaking it loose. Get pb blaster/breaker bar/proper o2 sensor socket and you should be able to do it on your own. That quote whoever gave you is just ridiculous. You can do the "loan-a-tool" thing for the o2 socket at vatozone.

 

[DGajre777]

$390. That's funny.

You can get a NEW front o2 sensor for about $50 from www.sparkplugs.com, and install it yourself for take it to any auto shop and they'll put it in for about $20.

If your rear sensor is bad, bypass it for about $8 in radioshack parts.

 

[dikdiamond]

Oxygen Sensors.com http://www.automedicsupply.com/index.php?&model=Eclipse&stopredirect=yes&width=1024&height=768

 

[crimsondragon]

he says it's the front sensor that is being "lazy. i guess that is good news if the front is easy to replace. i agree, $390 is whack. i could very well buy a new sensor housing with that money.

 

[crimsondragon]

ok im out of options here. i have read through the tech guide. no help there. i tried to get the old sensor off but it's way too stubborn. i've tried wd40, naval jelly (sum rust dissolvent), and heating up the car for a full 15 minutes. it's come to the point that the oxygen sensor socket is splitting too wide or the nut it wearing off. i don't know what else i can do. i'm open to suggestions.

can i bring the car to like autozone or pep boys, hand them the new sensor and win the day that way?

 

[hornetracer8]

I don't think they will do it for you. But if you don't have a o2 sensor socket they might have one to rent.

 

[DGajre777]

Get a can of PB Blaster.

 

[crimsondragon]

where can i get pb blaster? the lowe's in my area don't stock it. it was the reason i went with naval jelly.

 

[snowborder714]

Walmart, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts...pretty much any car parts store will have it.

 

[turbosax2]

where can i get pb blaster? the lowe's in my area don't stock it. it was the reason i went with naval jelly.

Any auto parts store should have it.

 

[crimsondragon]

sweet thanks. i'm also gonna go buy me the cheapest blow torch available and go absolutely apeshit on the damn thing. if this won't work, then i officially give up.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Last time I did a 02 sensor, I used an electric impact gun, came right off. The time before that I used a 1/2" 02 sensor socket, 1/2" drive ratchet, and a REALLY long pipe.

 

[crimsondragon]

well i finally got it off and changed the sensor. in the end it was the monkey wrench which saved the day.

the CEL is still on though. *bangs head against a wall*

 

[oldman]

Reset the ECU by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 30 seconds, and please use proper capitalization when posting in the tech sections.