I thought changing an O2 sensor shouldn't cost much

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sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
Have a check engine light on my 2011 lancer gts. Went to AutoZone and pulled code P0145 and it seems like it's bank 1 sensor 3.

Figured I could try and do it myself but nope, sensor is hard to reach. Called a shop and found out the sensor costs $430. Just the part then about an hour of labor.

I just had surgery and a root canal and need a crown too on my tooth...wtf. How long can I run the car like this? It's been a day and running fine.

Can the sensor cost that much or is the guy shitting me?
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,916
2,156
126
Holy crap that's expensive. There's usually two sets of O2 sensors per bank, a preexhaust and a postexhaust. The pre are usually mounted on the engine somewhere and fairly easy to reach. They're usually the ones that need to be replaced. Maybe try doing it yourself first- they usually install kind of like spark plugs. I've replaced a dozen or so O2 sensors and never paid over $112 for one.
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
RockAuto:



NTK Part # 24399 OE Type 5-Wire Wideband A/F Sensor
Upstream; Federal Emissions; NTK is Original Equipment

- Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 3 business days
$126.99





NTK Part # 25693 NTK OE Type
Downstream; Federal Emissions; OE Equivalent
Downstream Located After Primary Catalyst; Calif. Emissions; OE Equivalent
Part Image
- Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 3 business days
$183.79



There's assorted others, cheaper and more expensive - I'm not sure which one you need, but $430 is ridiculous.
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
121
that sensor is useless anyway it just monitors your catalyst.

the big ones are bank 1 sensor 1 and bank 2 sensor 1.

i see it is a lamba sensor... thats why it's expensive.
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
jlee said:
RockAuto:



NTK Part # 24399 OE Type 5-Wire Wideband A/F Sensor
Upstream; Federal Emissions; NTK is Original Equipment

- Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 3 business days
$126.99





NTK Part # 25693 NTK OE Type
Downstream; Federal Emissions; OE Equivalent
Downstream Located After Primary Catalyst; Calif. Emissions; OE Equivalent
Part Image
- Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 3 business days
$183.79



There's assorted others, cheaper and more expensive - I'm not sure which one you need, but $430 is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Hmm going to check that out when I get a chance. I don't know why they told me it was a dealer only part since it was bank 1 sensor 3 and no one else carried generics. Going to call a few more places up too.

Yea I'm not sure which one I need either. Could be sensor 1 or 2 as well but the guy says he got on his reader sensor 3 three times and that one should be it.
 
Last edited:
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
121
that sensor is on the side of your catalytic converter.

and i assume you live in cali because from what i am seeing on the diagram thats the only place that had that sensor.

also it should be a four wire sensor.
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
master_shake_ said:
that sensor is on the side of your catalytic converter.

and i assume you live in cali because from what i am seeing on the diagram thats the only place that had that sensor.

also it should be a four wire sensor.
Click to expand...

I actually live in PA lol. Not sure why the guy mentioned something about Cali inspection having something to do with the sensor cost.
 
master_shake_

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
291
121
whats really funny is that the plug is under your carpet.

you gotta pull the grommet out of the floor.

cali emissions because you have 2 cats under that thing?!
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
Well if I can free up a CC from all my recent medical bills I'll have it fixed but if it won't harm my car I'll continue driving it. Just last week I had a state and emissions inspection and it passed.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,093
591
126
And pretty much all cars have the same emissions equipment now since many states have adopted all or part of our strict standards. Used to be there were 49-state cars. Not anymore.

On behalf of car enthusiasts I apologize.
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
NutBucket said:
Federal emissions warranty may be longer. This would be covered by that.
Click to expand...

I called the dealer and they said they don't give quotes based on codes over the phone. They want to charge me $54 bucks to run their own diagnostics. Looks like I'm not covered under any more warranty or he would have said something because he asked how many miles I had on the car first.
 
pauldun170

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,142
5,089
136
sze5003 said:
It's got 64k Miles. Mitsubishi regular warranty is over at 60k and 100k for transmission. I drive about 25 miles or more each way to work every day.
Click to expand...

Looks like the 02 sensor isn't covered.
Have you thought about changing it yourself?

FYI, you can get a code scanner for 10-20 bucks to get the code and most Mitsu forum should have a walkthrough on how to change the sensor.
 
GoodRevrnd

GoodRevrnd

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
6,801
581
126
NutBucket said:
And pretty much all cars have the same emissions equipment now since many states have adopted all or part of our strict standards. Used to be there were 49-state cars. Not anymore.

On behalf of car enthusiasts I apologize.
Click to expand...

CARB certifications are the biggest joke. "Everything falls within emission spec, but that aftermarket part there doesn't have an expensive sticker on it so you FAIL!"
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
pauldun170 said:
Looks like the 02 sensor isn't covered.
Have you thought about changing it yourself?

FYI, you can get a code scanner for 10-20 bucks to get the code and most Mitsu forum should have a walkthrough on how to change the sensor.
Click to expand...

I have the code and checked the forums but didn't find anything on bank 1 sensor 3 and how to change it. I'm still looking because the dealership will be a ripoff and they want $60 to do their own diagnostics which most likely will do the same thing.
 
GoodRevrnd

GoodRevrnd

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
6,801
581
126
Diagnostic fees usually get applied to the repair, though. They won't give you an estimate on replacing the O2 sensor? Not that you should be using the dealer...
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
One of the reasons I was actually happy about a newer car was that I didn't have to pay for unordinary expenses minus maintainence. What sucks is I don't know which sensor it is, except it's bank 1sensor 3 and online you can't really go by that if you want to purchase.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
190
106
sze5003 said:
One of the reasons I was actually happy about a newer car was that I didn't have to pay for unordinary expenses minus maintainence. What sucks is I don't know which sensor it is, except it's bank 1sensor 3 and online you can't really go by that if you want to purchase.
Click to expand...


Should be the rear most sensor, behind the Cat.

jlee gave a parts list with price from rockauto. You can get O2 sensor sockets in the loan a tool at Advance auto.
 
sze5003

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,282
664
126
Jimzz said:
Here is a 2008 Lancer with the same issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si_J56mYews

You want a downstream O2 sensor. They can be had for around $100 for your car.
http://www.amazon.com/Walker-250-24751-4-Wire-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B0031HQNY6/
Click to expand...

Haha that looks like a pain in the ass but I'll do some more research online to see if I need anything else. No clue why a stupid sensor alone would cost the shop $400 bucks. I used to go to the shop couple years back and I know the owner so my whole family would go there.

They never charged me that much ever unless it was something big. Workers must have changed now since they moved location. I'll have to see if I can talk them down in price. I live in an apartment and they won't allow you to work in the lot as well as have limited access to tools too.
 
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