Hi, folks.

First post from a new user but old, original 2004 owner.

I've had an intermittent check engine light for quite some time now. A friend who owns an import engine shop traced it to the front and rear oxygen sensors. The symptom he told me to expect was to see a severe falloff in gas mileage, which hasn't happened...yet.

The question I'd like to pose is - anyone else experience this? And, if so, what happened and what are the likely consequences if I choose not to spend the 300 buck per sensor to replace them?

Thanks! Great forum, learning a lot!

 

Not saying your friend doesn't know his stuff, but I believe I would get a second opinion. For both sensors to go bad is a lil unusual in my book. I think I would take it to Auto Zone and have them download the codes just to be sure and it's a free service.

Welcome to our Lil Slice of the World Wide Web !

 

Hey, Stogey, and thanks for the reply.

As a matter of fact, I did just that before I took the car to my friend, who is trustworthy in every way. Heck, I even played various sports with the guy and socialize with him. There's no skin in the game for him to scam me.

Both the parts place and my friend's diagnostic came back with the same codes and information. However, I've yet to see any dropoff in gas mileage, and everyone I've talked to say it probably isn't a real problem or could lead to something more serious.

So...the question remains. Anyone else have the problem, and is there anything substantial to worry about? All advice gratefully accepted!

 

If this is only an intermittent problem, I would look for other causes such as type & octane of gas being used and also any additives being used (some octane boosters will destroy sensors). If you can't narrow it down that way, I would run it until I dared not go any further (to empty the tank) and then fill up with the highest octane, top tier gasoline that I could find. Then use only that brand/grade of gasoline for several tanks and see if that solves your problem.

Good luck.

 

Outstanding idea, Danimal.

I've been very faithful to run only 93 octane in the car since I bought it, but I'm fairly certain from time to time I've also used ethanol 'enhanced' fuels. I have no idea if that would cause the sensors to report something, but it's definitely worth a try.

I did notice that the warning comes on during certain temperatures, so there might be a link there, too.

Thanks again!