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O2 Sensor Question
Ford Vehicles Discussions About Ford Cars (alt.autos.ford)
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#1
 
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O2 Sensor Question -
05-21-2007
, 02:48 AM
#2
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My sister, Cathy, has a 1997 Ford Contour inherited from our parents, who don't drive anymore. Last week the engine light showed yellow and she took it to a car place who charged her $90 and ran diagnostics and came up with about $2,000 worth of repairs needed. Since that is about the book value of the car now, she is in a quandary about what to do. The car place prioritized the work that needed to be done and said the O2 sensor was the most critical. That, and some other sensor replacement, with labor, comes to about $500. Priority 1 and 2 stuff together come to about $1200. I know zero about cars. What is the O2 sensor and is it really that critical? The yellow light has since gone out. The dealer says if this stuff is done the car is good for another 100,000 miles. Could that be true? There are 98,000 miles on the car now - lowish for a car that old. The car was bought new in 1997 and has been meticulously maintained by my parents and now by Cathy. So that is a consideration too, when it comes to considering trading it in and getting another used car of unknown providence. (Buying a new car right now is not financially possible). I wish we knew somebody locally who knew about cars. I think Cathy gets ripped off a lot as a woman walking into car places where they assume, correctly, that she knows nothing about cars. Any thoughts? The labor costs are what makes it so expensive. And it seems they don't "consolidate the labor charges" - so even if they do 5 things and because they do it all at the same time they get done quicker they don't charge less. It is "this much labor charge for this job" period. Is that common car repair practice? Thanks, doug |
For $90 you or your sister should have asked for the specific numeric
codes and done the research on them. Lots of help here and google.
Usually the O2 sensor is fine and gets "shot" for being the messenger
of some other problem, like a vacuum leak, very common. Knowing what
I know about Fords, I would not spend anything until you could take it
to autozone to get the specific code numbers read for free.
Sounds like bs, $2000 is not going to guarantee another 100,000 miles
on any car.
#3
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My sister, Cathy, has a 1997 Ford Contour inherited from our parents, who don't drive anymore. Last week the engine light showed yellow and she took it to a car place who charged her $90 and ran diagnostics and came up with about $2,000 worth of repairs needed. Since that is about the book value of the car now, she is in a quandary about what to do. The car place prioritized the work that needed to be done and said the O2 sensor was the most critical. That, and some other sensor replacement, with labor, comes to about $500. Priority 1 and 2 stuff together come to about $1200. I know zero about cars. What is the O2 sensor and is it really that critical? The yellow light has since gone out. The dealer says if this stuff is done the car is good for another 100,000 miles. Could that be true? There are 98,000 miles on the car now - lowish for a car that old. The car was bought new in 1997 and has been meticulously maintained by my parents and now by Cathy. So that is a consideration too, when it comes to considering trading it in and getting another used car of unknown providence. (Buying a new car right now is not financially possible). I wish we knew somebody locally who knew about cars. I think Cathy gets ripped off a lot as a woman walking into car places where they assume, correctly, that she knows nothing about cars. Any thoughts? The labor costs are what makes it so expensive. And it seems they don't "consolidate the labor charges" - so even if they do 5 things and because they do it all at the same time they get done quicker they don't charge less. It is "this much labor charge for this job" period. Is that common car repair practice? Thanks, doug |
1) I would ask for a written report by the garage about what the
diagnosis found, including all the trouble codes.
If they did provide such a report, please tell us exactly what the
report said.
2) I would take that to another garage and get a second opinion.
Jeff
#4
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My sister, Cathy, has a 1997 Ford Contour inherited from our parents, who don't drive anymore. Last week the engine light showed yellow and she took it to a car place who charged her $90 and ran diagnostics and came up with about $2,000 worth of repairs needed. Since that is about the book value of the car now, she is in a quandary about what to do. The car place prioritized the work that needed to be done and said the O2 sensor was the most critical. That, and some other sensor replacement, with labor, comes to about $500. Priority 1 and 2 stuff together come to about $1200. I know zero about cars. What is the O2 sensor and is it really that critical? The yellow light has since gone out. The dealer says if this stuff is done the car is good for another 100,000 miles. Could that be true? There are 98,000 miles on the car now - lowish for a car that old. The car was bought new in 1997 and has been meticulously maintained by my parents and now by Cathy. So that is a consideration too, when it comes to considering trading it in and getting another used car of unknown providence. (Buying a new car right now is not financially possible). I wish we knew somebody locally who knew about cars. I think Cathy gets ripped off a lot as a woman walking into car places where they assume, correctly, that she knows nothing about cars. Any thoughts? The labor costs are what makes it so expensive. And it seems they don't "consolidate the labor charges" - so even if they do 5 things and because they do it all at the same time they get done quicker they don't charge less. It is "this much labor charge for this job" period. Is that common car repair practice? Thanks, doug |
#5
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My comment is based on their comment of knowing little about cars. For people who know little to nothing about cars and want minimal problems with no regard for expense, a new or low mileage car is the best way to go. Yes, the Contour can easily go well over 200k miles with proper maintenance and some repairs. For people who do not have the ability to become involved in the maintenance of their vehicle even to the point of recognizing when there is a problem or maintenance due, a new or low mileage vehicle is by far the best plan if they are not on a first name basis with a dependable competent repair facility that periodically is given the opportunity to do whatever is needed. |
usually costs far less to maintain (including insurance) an older car
than a new car. A car costs a lot of money. What one needs to do is find
a good mechanic who is honest.
In my days with my contour (only 141k mi), I have had to replace the
rear struts and bearing plates, the four roters, a couple of calipers,
two wheel bearings, one axle (one side only) and a few other minor
repairs. The total bill is something like $4000 including oil changes,
inspections and tires (I remember two new tire sets that I bought - I
think there was a third new one (besides the originals)) for 141k mi.
(Excludes insurance)
I certainly would have paid $4k more in insurance if I replaced the car
twice so I didn't have to worry about repairs.
I guess the bottom line is change the oil often (every 7500 mi with
synthetic), fix things, get a good mechanic and find out what is wrong
instead of throwing money at it.
So it's throw money at a newer car every few years or find a good
mechanic. The good mechanic is cheaper.
Jeff
I guess it comes down to finding a good mechanic, being able to do the
work yourself or spending thousands of dollars every few years on a new car.
Jeff
Quote:
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Lugnut You may want to post back here with the other recommended repairs/maintenance. There are some in this group including a couple of Ford techs that can be very helpful. It is likely that you can do much of the maintenance yourself with alittle guidance as the routine at 100K for much of the work is just time and TLC with some readily available inexpensive cleaners and lubricants. A repair manual can be immensely helpful. Sometimes, you can find the OEM factory manuals available on Ebay. Amazon may also be a good source for aftermarket and, possibly, a used factory manual. Lugnut |
#6
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My sister, Cathy, has a 1997 Ford Contour inherited from our parents, who don't drive anymore. Last week the engine light showed yellow and she took it to a car place who charged her $90 and ran diagnostics and came up with about $2,000 worth of repairs needed. Since that is about the book value of the car now, she is in a quandary about what to do. The car place prioritized the work that needed to be done and said the O2 sensor was the most critical. That, and some other sensor replacement, with labor, comes to about $500. Priority 1 and 2 stuff together come to about $1200. I know zero about cars. What is the O2 sensor and is it really that critical? The yellow light has since gone out. The dealer says if this stuff is done the car is good for another 100,000 miles. Could that be true? There are 98,000 miles on the car now - lowish for a car that old. The car was bought new in 1997 and has been meticulously maintained by my parents and now by Cathy. So that is a consideration too, when it comes to considering trading it in and getting another used car of unknown providence. (Buying a new car right now is not financially possible). I wish we knew somebody locally who knew about cars. I think Cathy gets ripped off a lot as a woman walking into car places where they assume, correctly, that she knows nothing about cars. Any thoughts? The labor costs are what makes it so expensive. And it seems they don't "consolidate the labor charges" - so even if they do 5 things and because they do it all at the same time they get done quicker they don't charge less. It is "this much labor charge for this job" period. Is that common car repair practice? Thanks, doug |
part itself is probably under 100, so they want 400 for labor? BS! You can
drive fine with a bad O2 sensor, just might waste some gas and wont pass
your next smog test is all. Dont go back there. I dont have a problem with
dealers but I do with this one. I think you got some good suggestions here,
go to Kragen or Autozone and get the engine codes. You can come back here
and get a better estimate what it should cost. How can a dealer say that
after 2K in repairs it will run another 100K??? I would ask friends where do
they get their car fixed. Just this morning I thought I had a trans problem,
took it to a trans shop known for honest service, ended up it wasnt the
trans, they fix the rattle and only charged me 20$. I asked them where to
take my car for brakes and tune ups, and I now have another great
independent service shop to go to.
#7
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An O2 sensor doesnt cost 500$ to replace, especially on a Ford Contour, the part itself is probably under 100, so they want 400 for labor? BS! You can drive fine with a bad O2 sensor, just might waste some gas and wont pass your next smog test is all. |
over time. Then you'll fail the smog test even after you replace the
bad sensor. And your engine will run like crap. Replace it now.
Find out which one is bad, buy one at NAPA or someplace, and ask any
dealer or even a muffler shop mechanic how it costs for JUST THE LABOR.
That's assuming you're not feeling up to doing it yourself.
#8
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An O2 sensor doesnt cost 500$ to replace, especially on a Ford Contour, the part itself is probably under 100, so they want 400 for labor? BS! You can drive fine with a bad O2 sensor, just might waste some gas and wont pass your next smog test is all. Really bad advice. A bad O2 sensor can foul the catalytic converter over time. Then you'll fail the smog test even after you replace the bad sensor. And your engine will run like crap. Replace it now. |
#9
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"DJ" <dont (AT) send (DOT) spam> wrote in message news:yvGdnSuImsOXe8zbnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d (AT) rcn (DOT) net... An O2 sensor doesnt cost 500$ to replace, especially on a Ford Contour, the part itself is probably under 100, so they want 400 for labor? BS! You can drive fine with a bad O2 sensor, just might waste some gas and wont pass your next smog test is all. Really bad advice. A bad O2 sensor can foul the catalytic converter over time. Then you'll fail the smog test even after you replace the bad sensor. And your engine will run like crap. Replace it now. your're right, I forgot about the issue with the cat. Wasn't trying to smack you down or anything. I've just "been there / |
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