Secondary O2 sensor

Hi!

Quick question:

Honda told me that my engine light is on because of a secondary O2 sensor
failure. I had this happen in my last civic too (this one is a 98 civic cx
hatchback) and it was about $600 to fix it! They said it was ok to leave it
for a while because it was only secondary.

Does this sound ok? Can I leave it? Can I get it fixed cheaper somewhere
else?

Thanks!

Scott

www.srpics.com

 

$ 600.00 is way high (my 2000 Civic needs a O2 sensor and I've gotten
prices in the $325.00 range from Honda dealers) anyway I went to Auto
zone & they pulled the trouble code for free, mine is the heated part
of the O2 sensor, so my check engine light has been on for months now
however if the error showed the O2 sensor itself was having trouble I'd
replace it right away cause it may be sending a bogus signal to the
computer thus it may be trying to correct it by retarding the timing,
over fueling etc. See what the error code is and take the required action.

--
Rob Fruth - Houston, Tx
http://www.rfruth.net


1981 Raleigh for errands & fun ____ __o
1997 Trek 2300 for real fun ! ____ _ \ | _)
2000 Civic hatchback (_)/ (_)

 

*Honda* told you nothing. A franchised dealer told you this.

Unless you need to pass an emissions test, you can leave it alone so long
as the MIL will stay turned off, or you don't mind driving around with a
yellow light on your dash. The downstream O2 is there solely to keep an eye
on catalytic converter efficiency. It has no other function.

If you don't mind variable quality and possible short lifespan, you can get
a cheap Bosch or Niehoff or other generic sensor for much less than OEM.

 

the part, OEM is more than the primary one in the manifold. the manifold
one was $220 at my local dealer. the bottom one is below the catalyst.

$600 is wayyy too high by half, if ya do it yerself

 

2nd O2 will not effect timing; it's job is to report how well the cat
converter is doing it's job.

 

This is canadian dollars, so $450 US (ish). I dont think I can do this
myself. On my last civic they har to use a torch to heat it up to get it
off. But I think I can get someone to do it. A former dealership
mechanic.

Thanks guys

Scott

 

$450 isnt TOO bad, if the sensor itself is $350ish. its right down there
in the open, and not rocket science. in fact, its easier than replacing
a spark plug in some cars

but someone else posted its not crucial, so its probably not a big
issue. if aftermarket is a LOT cheaper, id consider that. id probably
stick with OEM on the primary sensor, though.