o2 sensor question

[myhippocket]

Hi all,
My check engine light came on today and after reading the code (P0133), it is identifying an issue with the Bank 1 oxygen sensor. I have done some looking on this forum about the code and others issues which have been helpful.
My question is this. Is driving the car with this issue harmful to the car?. I know there could be some mileage loss etc, but is it going to damage the vehicle? My problem is I have a Christmas round trip of about 600 miles (1000 km) that involves leaving tomorrow and returning in just over a week and I won’t be able to get my car into the shop before then to have it fixed. It’s still under warranty; otherwise I would change the sensor myself.
So, do we take my wife’s old beater, or is it safe to drive the Matrix on my trip and fix it upon my return? I don’t want to end of stranded at the side of the road, I live in Canada and it’s mighty cold up here right now.

Thanks a lot!

Hip

[mikered30]

It may reduce performance and drop mpg. I doubt it will hurt your car in 600 miles, but long term it could hurt. Did this just occur? I imagine it is very cold in Alberta, does the light go off when it is warmer? There seems to be a rash of these check engine lights for this code and related front O2 sensors. A leaky intake manifold gasket may to blame besides a bad sensor. What year and how many Kms on it?

[myhippocket]

It's an 04 with just under 100000km, I had the same code about 9 months ago and they replaced the O2 sensor. Both times (this time and previously) the code seemed to be triggered by the first cold snap of the year. And since the O2 sensor was replaced recently, I am thinking it may not be the sensor at all. It does not seem to go away once it warms up. I have cleared the code in the past, but even right after its cleared, my code reader still tells me a code is pending and then in a day or so it's back again.

Any thoughts?

Hip

[mikered30]

Well with that info, it surely sounds like a leaky manifold gasket. There is a TSB for this problem, but you are way out of warranty. Luckily the gasket is pretty cheap and not difficult to change for a mechanic to change. Spray around the intake manifold gasket area with carb cleaner, if the RPM goes up, the gasket is bad.

[myhippocket]

Thanks mikered30. I looked up some info on the manifold gasket leaking and it sounds very similar to what is happening with my matrix. Occasional idiling issues etc.

With that in mind, do you still think it should be fine to drive on my trip before repairing it?

Hip

[mikered30]

It is likely fine to drive, you will not get stranded.

[notmytrix]

I had the same code pop-up last week.
It's been exactly 1 week since I cleared the code and it hasn't popped back up.
I suspect it was just the sudden cold snap that triggered it.
So far mileage and performance hasn't changed and the CEL hasn't returned. *knocks on wood*

Here is the thread I started on TMG asking for clarification about this code.
http://www.thematrixgarage.com/YaBB.pl?num=1260537464

There is a link in there as well to where you can get the sensor cheap.
Good luck.

[Woodyg]

the intake manifold gasket is less than $10........not sure how much labor proabably about $100. I had code 133 and 134 and i replaced the precat o2 sensor part was $78 sng) took 15 mins to change code has not come back on in 3000 miles.