Hello everyone, I have a 1997 4runner that failed a recent smog inspection. I live in SoCal and all recommended maintenance has been done. It has 75000 miles on it.

It was taken to the dealer and they charged a $58 "diagnostic" fee and said I needed a new catalytic convertor. After arguing about the warranty, they replaced it under warranty. When I called to pick up my vehicle, they said I also needed a new O2 sensor and it will cost $245. I told them to hold off on the O2 sensor and picked up my vehicle.

1. How much should a new O2 sensor installation cost?
2. How many hours of labor is involved?
3. Can anyone in SoCal (San Diego, north county) recommend a reputable independent Toyota mechanic?
4. Should I argue that they should have recognized the bad O2 sensor during the original "diagnostic?"
5. Would it have been easy to replace the O2 Sensor while the catalytic convertor was being replaced or are they nowhere near each other?

thanks in advance.

 

There are two O2 sensors. Did they tell you which one was bad? Sensor 1 is right above the converter, sensor 2 is just aft of it.

It takes 30 minutes max to change one, and that's if your bolts are rusty and the clip is hard to get apart. I did it myself recently.

You can find O2 sensors online; I ordered mine from a big Toyota parts outfit in Texas. Its killing me that I can't remember the name of the place, but alot of people here have used them.

You can drive around just fine with a bad O2 sensor, I did for a week until my new one arrived. You'll just have an annoying check engine light, and your mileage will probably go down.

If you're coming to Pismo, we could even change it there. Or, at least we could hook up my code reader to see which O2 sensor is in fact bad.

Oh and by the way, if you don't get a CE light, then the mechanics were full of it. And yes, they absolutely should have caught it in the first diagnostic. Whatever you do, don't let them charge you $245 to do it!

 

I replaced the front O2 sensor in our '98 'Runner about 18 months ago. Very easy job. I bought mine through:

http://www.toyotaworld.com/parts.htm

otherwise known as Jay Marks Toyota of Houston. I believe it was c. $110. I've dealt with Jay Marks several times and have been pleased with the transactions.

Good luck.

 

I second that! I replaced mine not too long ago and it was maybe a 30 min. job. You just unscrew and unplug the old one and plug in the new one.

You can get them for about 130 bucks online - so save yourself $100 and do it yourself. Seriously, all you need is wrench and maybe some PB blaster to loosen the rusty nuts.

John

 

Thanks Karl,

It was Jay Marks that I used as well. I knew I'd recognize the name!

So ask the dealer which sensor needs replacing, then tell them you'll think about it.

 

as far as shops I would recomend www.sdtrux.com They are in Miramar and only work on Toyota trucks. I have had work done there and they are cheaper than a dealer but of the same quality. Good luck with the smog, mine is due in a few weeks!!!

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. No CE light is on so the dealer must be full of it. So this brings up a few more questions:

1. Should I wait for the CE light to come on to replace it? (75000 miles on it)
2. If I should replace it, does anyone have a photo of its location?

thanks again!

 

I can take a few pics tonight if no one posts some in the mean time...

 

I am also in San Diego North County. I just started going to
www.protrux.net They are in San Marcos and only (?) do Toyota trucks. I had my lift put on there. A friend has been using them for a while and recommended the place to me.

 

Mertztr: thanks, pics would be great.

Newtomods: San Marcos is close so I'll check them out if I have trouble doing it myself.

Nolan: sdtrux also sounds like a good place, thanks.