Carguys- What’s it cost to replace an O2 sensor? (1 Viewer)

[RokNRole]

Up for inspection next month and ascan from Autozone brought this up as the reason I’m getting an engine light. Called a couple of independent mechanic shops near me and one quoted me about $95 for the labor. I will pick up the part myself which the readout said go for $40-$70.

That a good quote?

2008 Pontiac G5 base 4 cylinder.

 

[Softballguy]

I paid about $175 a few years ago on an RX 350, so that seems pretty reasonable.

 

[Quint]

Up for inspection next month and ascan from Autozone brought this up as the reason I’m getting an engine light. Called a couple of independent mechanic shops near me and one quoted me about $95 for the labor. I will pick up the part myself which the readout said go for $40-$70.

That a good quote?

2008 Pontiac G5 base 4 cylinder.

Aftermarket O2 sensor will run you about $70. Labor at @ $100 sounds right. 

One thing: I know the Autozone guy put the scanner on and the code came back “oxygen sensor”.  However, the AutoZone guy is [likely] not an authorized tech and if you buy that part, have it installed, and it doesn’t solve the problem, you’re SOL. They won’t take back an electrical part. Further, you might learn that the O2 sensor needs replacing AND something else to solve the issue. 

Just FYI 

 

[Quint]

Aftermarket O2 sensor will run you about $70. Labor at @ $100 sounds right. 

One thing: I know the Autozone guy put the scanner on and the code came back “oxygen sensor”.  However, the AutoZone guy is [likely] not an authorized tech and if you buy that part, have it installed, and it doesn’t solve the problem, you’re SOL. They won’t take back an electrical part. Further, you might learn that the O2 sensor needs replacing AND something else to solve the issue. 

Just FYI 

Should also mention that most repair shops frown on customers bringing in their own parts. Reason being: if the part is incorrect for the vehicle (it happens) or if the part fails (i.e. defective), the customer is on the hook for the labor to remove the part, the labor to reinstall the new/correct one, and deal with trying to get a credit/refund/warranty with the place it was purchased originally. 

 

[shadyridr]

$160 or so

 

[dutch]

If you want to save money and have some Saturday time on your hands replacing O2 sensors isnt too challenging a diy.  Youtube should have a tutorial you can follow.

 

[the rover]

Mass air flow sensor on my 2012 F-150 was $75 with a core deposit of around $35.

 

[the rover]

And have the guys at autozone print the codes for you and then google them. There are a lot of different codes that fall under O2 sensor.

 

[top dog]

Just wanted to add another vote for it may not actually be the O2 sensor. It might actually be the O2 sensor is accurately detecting an error and your problem is elsewhere. Actually pretty common to happen. 

 

[Johnny Rock]

You could have multiple O2 sensors as well. 

 

[the rover]

You could have multiple O2 sensors as well. 

Quick search shows that this car has an upstream and downstream sensor.   Without looking up the actual codes, you can't tell which is the issue (or even if the sensor itself is the issue).  

Did you change an air filter recently?

 

[dickey moe]

See if you can get a buddy to help you replace it. A friend helped me a while back and it wasn't that difficult. Better than spending $100-200 for labor.

 

[Vanilla Guerrilla]

Did you forget to tighten your gas cap or lose it?

 

[the rover]

typical RnR thread.  post a question asking for advice, ignore all answers and disappear.

 

[Nugget]

Can’t you just turn off the warning during the inspection?  I was able to reset the code on my 87 Maxima 12-13 years ago when I traded it in. 

 

[the rover]

Can’t you just turn off the warning during the inspection?  I was able to reset the code on my 87 Maxima 12-13 years ago when I traded it in. 

a car with a bad 02 sensor isn't going to pass inspection.   resetting the codes doesn't make the code go away.

 

[RokNRole]

Aftermarket O2 sensor will run you about $70. Labor at @ $100 sounds right. 

One thing: I know the Autozone guy put the scanner on and the code came back “oxygen sensor”.  However, the AutoZone guy is [likely] not an authorized tech and if you buy that part, have it installed, and it doesn’t solve the problem, you’re SOL. They won’t take back an electrical part. Further, you might learn that the O2 sensor needs replacing AND something else to solve the issue. 

Just FYI 

The engine light has gone on and off 3 times in the last 6 months or so. Lasts a day or two. That’s the code that came up last week when it was on again and it is now off. It does seem like I’m getting noticeable worse gas mileage.

Could it be something else?

 

[RokNRole]

typical RnR thread.  post a question asking for advice, ignore all answers and disappear.

I was sleeping. I work late nights.

 

[RokNRole]

Did you forget to tighten your gas cap or lose it?

Tried that. It’s snug.

 

[RokNRole]

fart on the sensor. 

Can they detect swamp gas?

 

[RokNRole]

Quick search shows that this car has an upstream and downstream sensor.   Without looking up the actual codes, you can't tell which is the issue (or even if the sensor itself is the issue).  

Did you change an air filter recently?

Changed the air filter a year ago when I bought it. Checked it about 6 months ago and it still looked very new. I’ll check it again. 

I drive less than 30 miles a day average.

 

[RokNRole]

If you want to save money and have some Saturday time on your hands replacing O2 sensors isnt too challenging a diy.  Youtube should have a tutorial you can follow.

I don’t have tools and my complex doesn’t allow us to do repairs in the parking lot. I have a friend that is a car guy that could help me but he was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is feeling fine and responding well to the chemo but I don’t feel comfortable asking him to help me with this right now.

 

[Fishboy]

The engine light has gone on and off 3 times in the last 6 months or so. Lasts a day or two. That’s the code that came up last week when it was on again and it is now off. It does seem like I’m getting noticeable worse gas mileage.

Could it be something else?

If it's off, take it in for inspection. It should pass. 

You can't clear the code and immediately take it in for inspection though. Did that for a buddy of mine and they know that you recently reset the computer, as there is no data to read. 

 

[RokNRole]

If it's off, take it in for inspection. It should pass. 

You can't clear the code and immediately take it in for inspection though. Did that for a buddy of mine and they know that you recently reset the computer, as there is no data to read. 

Are you sure it will pass?

 

[Fishboy]

Are you sure it will pass?

It'll probably pick up the stored code and possibly fail. 

https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/Misc/faq/faq_obdii.htm

AutoZone loans out the scanner tool. They charge like$25 and refund the full amount upon return. To be safe, I'd rent the tool, clear the codes (takes maybe 30 seconds) and return. Drive it for a few days and if no check engine light, you should be fine for emissions. 

Part is probably 75 bucks at AutoZone and easy enough to replace if you want to diy

 

[the rover]

Changed the air filter a year ago when I bought it. Checked it about 6 months ago and it still looked very new. I’ll check it again. 

I drive less than 30 miles a day average.

Sometimes when you change and air filter you dislodge crap into the air intake and it gets stuck in the air flow sensor and burns, ruining the sensor.

 

[RokNRole]

It'll probably pick up the stored code and possibly fail. 

https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/Misc/faq/faq_obdii.htm

AutoZone loans out the scanner tool. They charge like$25 and refund the full amount upon return. To be safe, I'd rent the tool, clear the codes (takes maybe 30 seconds) and return. Drive it for a few days and if no check engine light, you should be fine for emissions. 

Part is probably 75 bucks at AutoZone and easy enough to replace if you want to diy

You originally said if the light isn’t on it should pass. 

I dpnt know how to use that scan tool.

 

[RokNRole]

Sometimes when you change and air filter you dislodge crap into the air intake and it gets stuck in the air flow sensor and burns, ruining the sensor.

I didn’t change it personally. My mechanic at the time did.

 

[Fishboy]

You originally said if the light isn’t on it should pass. 

I dpnt know how to use that scan tool.

If the light isn't on, you'll most likely pass. If the light is on, you'll fail for sure. 

You literally plug the tool in to the plug under the drivers side dash, turn the key and scan for codes. From there you'll have the option to clear all codes. The rental tool will come with instructions. 

If the light isn't on, I'd roll the dice and you should be fine. 

 

[RokNRole]

If the light isn't on, you'll most likely pass. If the light is on, you'll fail for sure. 

You literally plug the tool in to the plug under the drivers side dash, turn the key and scan for codes. From there you'll have the option to clear all codes. The rental tool will come with instructions. 

If the light isn't on, I'd roll the dice and you should be fine. 

I’ll try that. The mechanics don’t usually charge for a scan inspection....at least the guy I went to when I bought the car didn’t.