((J-Kid)) More Car troubles

[Tropicana]

I had the front and reat O2 sensors in my car changed about 2 - 3 years ago. Engine light came on an d off. Ignored it. Then it came on and stayed on...ignored it. Then after a while the car felt like it was vibrating. Went to car shoppe...not the Italian guy with the wife with expensive tastes, another one.

Anyway he did a diagnostic:

$110

Said the O2 sensor needed to be replaced. I said what happens if I don't replace it. He said the care might feel as it if is going to stall. I said What if I ignore it? He said "It may stall." I said then can I start it again.... He said "Not very easily.

Total bill close to $500. Sick of spending money on this car.

[LinSkinny]

That must be canadian dollars. Ouch. Even cars with two O2 sensors should not cost that much to replace them. Even if they have to cut the things out it, two hours or three hours max to get past the rust and weld on another nut to hold the new sensor. And IMO, that mechanic is using scare tactics. Find another one.

[My Looh]

Not sure what kind of cyaar you own Tropi but if it is a popular make like GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Honda etc... , an O2 sensor replacement from a reputable mechanic should run from approx, $120 to $150 taxes in. If you can buy the part yourself and get a relative or friend to do it for you as a favour it should run you between $25 to $50 plus a nice bottle of rum or a case of beer for your friend for helping you out.

[Tropicana]

Ouch!! I paid $480 including the diagnostic that was over $100, this was at Active Green Tire and Ross.

No I don't know anyone who can install these things.

Very frustrating. How long is an O2 sensor supposed to last?

[My Looh]

How long is an O2 sensor supposed to last?

I have never had to replace an O2 sensor on any of the vehicles I have ever owned so I can't help you there.

[j-kid]

I see yuh got hosed again, an him neva use noh grease. Yuh neva said if di condition did fix, or improved afta paying all dat money?

[Tropicana]

Car is not vibrating and engine light is off.

Active Green Tire and Ross is a reputable franchise. If every time something was to be done on the car I had to go 3 places for comparative quotes, I would never get anything else done. The other place I took the car was Master Mechanic, also a reputable franchise.

How much is an O2 censor supposed to cost? What about it would make the car vibrate? Was the guy lying when he said that the car stall if the O2 sensor was not replaced.

How long is an O2 censor supposed to last?

[j-kid]

Should cost about $250 including labor. The quality sensors are pricey, plus labor. The car shakes because the calibration is thrown off by the non-working sensors, they are sending the wrong message to the computer module and it is doing the wrong compensation. It will take a while, but eventually the car would refuse to start, or quit running. The sensor longevity, depends on many things, but usually they average 70K miles, or last for the life of the car, or manifold/muffler replacement. Sometimes they get rusted in and difficult to get out for servicing the exhaust, or if they need to un-screw them to service another part, because they are in the way and they can get damaged.By the way, he should have deducted the diagnostic cost from your total.

[Tropicana]

The engine light came on again this afternoon

[My Looh]

Sorry to hear!

[Tropicana]

I am so flippin frustrated.... he will NOT deduct the diagnostic from the work. I am going back over there right now!!

[Tropicana]

Well at least he did not charge me another diagnostic.

They said some gobbledy gook like the car is not accepting the new O2 centre and there may be an leak in the vacum for the exhaust.


WHATEVER THE HECK THAT IS!!!!!

They have to keep the car overnight to check if that is it when it is cool.

If not that then the car's computer needs to be updated....and I have to take it to Toyota.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW MY CAR HAD A COMPUTER!!!

[j-kid]

I thought unnu sey Toyota cars to neva have problems?

[Tropicana]

Never USED to have problems. Mind you this car is old. So translate...what exactly are these people saying and is it expensive.

New car is on the list for this year.

Already got new camera, new mobile phone and some other new technology, It is all coming due for change at the same time and I pay everything cash now. No more carrying monthly payments for me. I have HAD it with that.

[Tropicana]

Both O2 sensors are after market and the car doesn't like them. Toyota has to supply the part. This is going to be MUCH more expensive. This is ridiculous.