p0131 oxygen sensor code

The check engine light on my 2000 Honda CRV came on. A local garage
(Atlanta, Georgia) read the code p0131 - bad oxygen sensor - and reset
the car's computer. The check engine light then blinked on and off,
rather than stay completely on as before. I had them order the oxygen
sensor in order to replace the faulty one. On the drive home, the check
engine light went off and has stayed off.

Should I still replace the sensor, or wait until I get a check engine
light with code p0131?

 

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Whatever else you do, get your valves adjusted ASAP. The owner's manual
is wrong, and they should be set to the loose side of the specs every
30,000 miles, or you'll fry a valve. First symptom is STALLING during
warm-up cycle. Next symptom costs $2,000. It only applies to Gen 1, 1997
- 2001.

'Curly'

 

It's my understanding that a P0131 is a hard one to diagnose. It can be
caused by a slow element, high wiring resistance, or weak element heater.

If you don't mind getting sunburn from the MIL being on, you can ignore
this error. As you come up to a smog check though, you will need to get it
fixed at least a couple of weeks before the test.