O2 Sensors ...

October 18, 2006

Hi guys.

I've got a Toyota Avensis, which I've had now for a couple of years. Earlier this year/end of last year, my Engine Warning light came on. Took it down to the garage, and they said it was the oxygen sensor which had gone. They repaired it at a cost of about £238... Now, in June time, the light came on again. Took it back, and was oxygen sensor again. I complained saying it had not been replaced that long ago. They said there are fout, and it's a different one this time. So, £238 later, they repaird it.

Now again, today, on the way to work, I noticed the light come on. Not taken it to the garage yet, but my guess would be this Oxygen Sensor again, as it came on the same way as it did the other times. But I just want to ask you guys, is it likely that the different sensors fail at different times like this, and am I just stuck with them charging me these horrendous prices for it? The car has done about 56k miles, so from what I've read, this is the liekly time for the sensors to go...

So basically, if they turn round saying it's an oxygen sensor again, and that'll be another £238, then do I just have to put up and pay that, or do I contest it, saying that I've already had 2 replaced with this garage, and want a reduced price / seeing as other people have only paid £200 (from some of the threads I've read on this forum), I don't want to pay that much ... can I pay less?

How long does it take to replace this sensor? As iirc, they said it was £130+vat for the sensor, so have basically charged almost £100 for labour. And from what I've seen it's only a 20 minute job to do...

Can someone advise on what the next step will be for this?

Never know, might not even be an O2 sensor... but just wanting to find out peoples ideas.

Also, I was considering changing the car soon, so should I just hold off from doing this, and change the car sooner rather than later? And also, if I were to do this, would it be safe to do, as I'm driving over to france at the weekend for a week, and don't wanna be stuck over there if I can help it...

Thanks for any advice guys...

October 18, 2006

I had a similar experience, engine warning light came on twice 4 weeks apart. Each time it was a sensor, fortunately mine is under warranty so it was for free. The second time though they just replaced all remaining sensors.

Iain

October 18, 2006

I had a similar experience, engine warning light came on twice 4 weeks apart. Each time it was a sensor, fortunately mine is under warranty so it was for free. The second time though they just replaced all remaining sensors.
Iain

Hi guys,

I have a 1.8 VVT-i (x-reg) with the same problem. The fault light has been on for ages now but I've so far not done anything about. Bought a tester to check whether it is the O2 sensor as Mr. T says or not. Sensors are available on the net, lookiing at about £50 mark at the mo, much cheaper that £200 though. Bit of a rip off if you ask me, unplug and unscrew faulty sensor, screw in and plug in new one, clear fault code. Must take all of about 10 miniutes!

Anyway, I have noticed no drop in power, fuel consumption, idle etc don't now about you guys. Suppose I'll get around to testing the sensor soon to see if it is faulty. :unsure:

October 18, 2006

Sorry to hear of your woes. Sadly this does happen. Had a Rav last month come in to the workshop to have the last one of four sensors changed. They'd all failed within a three month period. The cars with the MIL on, but no drop in performance or increase in fuel consumption usually means that one of the sensors located after the catalytic converter has failed. This after-cat sensor is there to monitor the emissions as it goes to atmosphere. Euro 4 specifications dictate that the ECU has to warn the driver that the engine may be poluting the atmosphere. When the sensor fails it can't measure the emissions and so the ECU assumes polution is high and on comes the MIL. This is the price of polution control.

October 18, 2006

from http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/BoschOEMO...rsFuelInjMC.pdf

Q. How do I know if my oxygen sensor may be damaged?

A. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a slow or even a dead sensor are not always obvious to the vehicle owner unless the vehicle fails an emissions test, a decline in fuel economy is noticed, or if driveability problems occur. Over time, exhaust contaminants accumulate on the sensing element reducing the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in air/fuel mixture and slowly the sensor becomes inoperable. Some symptoms of failed oxygen sensors are:

• Failed emissions test (high CO and/or HC typically)

• Damaged catalytic converter (caused by an over rich fuel mixture)

• Poor fuel mileage (caused by an over rich fuel mixture)

• Engine runs rough

• Sluggish performance If the “check engine” light comes on while driving, check your oxygen sensor, and if necessary replace it with a new premium Bosch Oxygen Sensor.

Q. What will damage my oxygen sensor?

A. An oxygen sensor can fail prematurely if it becomes contaminated with phosphorus from excessive oil consumption [1.8 vvti??], silicone from internal coolant leaks, using silicone sealant in the engine, and some over-the-counter fuel additives. [new premium fuels and their cleaning additives?] Even a small amount of poorly refined gasoline can kill an oxygen sensor. [cheap supermarket fuel? or running tank near empty picking up the crud at the bottom?] Environmental factors such as road splash, salt, oil, and dirt can also cause a sensor to fail, as can thermal shock, mechanical stress, or mishandling. However as required by vehicle manufacturers, Bosch sensors are designed and tested with these extremes in mind.

October 19, 2006

i got the engine light on it the mechcanic says its the 02 sensor :angry: where is the best place to get replacement? how many is there on a 03 1.8 avensis?

October 20, 2006

i got the engine light on it the mechcanic says its the 02 sensor where is the best place to get replacement? how many is there on a 03 1.8 avensis?

Well, on my 02 2litre avensis (old style, guess yours is the new style), there are 4.

When I spoke to toyota, they said it could be up to 6. But I'm pretty sure he said they didn't put 6 on, until 2004... So I would guess you have 4, but it could be up to 6!!!

Had to fork out the money to the b@$t@rd$ at toyota unfortunately :( Even charge a rip off just to look at it to find out the problem. If you could get the part direct from toyota, it was something like £120+vat. Then expect £65+vat labour... :eek: :angry: