Oxygen Sensors - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

grumpy · 10-28-2005, 09:24 AM

So, this is one of those whose fault is it questions:

My girlfriend has a '96 Tercel that was running fine until the exhaust was making a lot of noise. We brought it to our mechanic and since it is a large one piece exhaust, it cost about $700. She decided to pay it rather than scrap the car since, otherwise, the car was in good running condition.

Anyway, we get the car back. The first day we take it out, we notice a lot of rattling in the exhaust and after about 4 miles, and the check engine light comes on. This light has never come on before. We bring it back to the mechanic, he tightens something and resets the light, and when we get the car back, the light is off.

The next time we use the car, the check engine light comes on and we bring the car back to him. This happens one more time. He has held on to the car for about 2 days and just calls to let me know that the problem is with the oxygen sensors. He says that they will cost about $500 to replace.

He told me that after research he has decided that it is the oxygen sensors are damaged when the exhaust initially was making noise when we first brought it to him when the exhaust was replaced. However, the light never came on until we got it back from him. And, even though I have trusted him for years, I am slightly suspicious about whether the problem with the oxygen sensors was caused by the original problem with the exhaust or by how he put on the new exhaust (since there was tons of rattling when we first got the car back from him. (Or, maybe I am just very upset since we just put $700 in to the car a few weeks ago and do not have the $500 right now).

Please let me know what you think…

Thanks,

grumpy

Paseo15psi · 10-28-2005, 12:45 PM

1st, you can get new O2 sensors from ebay for less than $100 that come with the connector and the wire so that even somebody with basic hand tools can change it. I don't even think Toyota charges $500 for the sensors.
2nd, He probably cut some corners during the install to make it more profitable for himself. Like not using new bolts or a new gasket.
3rd, get a second opinion. It works for mechanics and doctors.

grumpy · 10-28-2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paseo15psi

1st, you can get new O2 sensors from ebay for less than $100 that come with the connector and the wire so that even somebody with basic hand tools can change it. I don't even think Toyota charges $500 for the sensors.
2nd, He probably cut some corners during the install to make it more profitable for himself. Like not using new bolts or a new gasket.
3rd, get a second opinion. It works for mechanics and doctors.

Thanks so much for the response. Is there a page/source that you can point me to that will tell me how to replace the sensors? I have never worked on a car, but I do know how to work on old motor scooters so I am sure that I can figure it out.

Thanks,

Todd

Paseo15psi · 10-28-2005, 01:48 PM

Unfortunately I don't know of any nor can I provide you with one since all my info is for the 91-95 5efe motor. I can say that it is two 12mm bolts that need to be removed and that the O2 sensor is easy enough to find on the exhaust. Just unplug the harness first. You may also want to try a search or ask on www.tercelonline.com where there are many people that may have a source for you.

grumpy · 10-28-2005, 01:59 PM

Thanks...I just posted on that board.

thoughthard · 10-28-2005, 05:03 PM

$700 for an exhaust? I hope that is full stainless steel, with mandrel bends, with a header in front of it.

Your exhaust was one piece? I have a 92 Paseo, so I have no idea. Mine was two or three pieces after the cat. I replaced the midpipe, the one right after the cat, with a OEM piece. That was like $120 possibly, I think.

soccerman58 · 11-03-2005, 09:20 AM

A Bosch 02 sensor is much less than 100 bucks from Rock Auto on line (a great source, IMHO). It is held on by 2 nuts for which you might need a deep socket, but on mine they are tighter than a bastard and rounded off, so you might need to get a small nut splitter from Harbor (about 6 bucks for two of em). Don't chisel em off, because then you will have no stud to bolt the new sensor to (yes, I did consider it!)
500 bucks for an 02 sensor. I never heard such rubbish. I also think you paid through the nose for the exhaust. I think my 91 is in 3 pieces.
There should be a special hell for most mechanics where they are horribly tortured every day. Then charged 100000000 bucks for the privilege.
Phil

Nik420 · 11-07-2005, 02:29 PM

My 91 Tercel exhaust is 3 pieces. One of my pipes fell off and the 1st mechanic quoted me $500 plus studding expenses to replace the entire thing because they said it was all ready to fall apart. 2nd mechanic said $700 for the entire exhaust because they said the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced as well (nowhere near what you were quoted for the sensor)

The third mechanic I tried showed me exactly what needed to be done and why some of the other parts were fine and did not need to be replaced. A little light rust on the front pipe was all I could see, and he said it was probably good for another 3 years. The muffler looked practically new. Had to replace rear pipe and catalytic converter. Previous owner patched that pipe with a flex pipe, and parts of the converter had melted. Total cost was $330 CDN for the whole thing and it worked fine ever since.

It pays to shop around. Avoid chains if possible.

TeaBag43 · 11-07-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy

Thanks so much for the response. Is there a page/source that you can point me to that will tell me how to replace the sensors? I have never worked on a car, but I do know how to work on old motor scooters so I am sure that I can figure it out.

Thanks,

Todd

Go to your local AutoZone parts store and they will sell you the part and also explain how to put it on useing their rental tools..

TeaBag43