I had my wife go to gm dealer today and get a oil change, we have a 08 trailblazer with 47,000 miles, they showed her the airfilter was dirty so she had them put it on (I could have done it myself) anyway they charged her $91.76 for oilchange and filter, way to much, now they tell her the oxygen sensor is going out, and the part cost $161.21 plus labor, I got on Rock Auto and its $34-80 dollars, now my question can i do it myself, wheres it located, and do i have to do something after its installed, oh by the way theres no lights on so i dont know how they say it needs this. We still have a warratee on this truck
Oxygen sensor
- Thread starter Razorback
- Start date
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
strat81
Member
- Dec 29, 2011
- 399
You'll probably want an O2 sensor socket to do the job - most auto parts stores carry them and they're not too expensive.
Before tackling the job, apply a generous amount of penetrating oil such as Kroil or Liquid Wrench. When installing the new sensor, put some high-temp copper anti-seize on the threads.
I'm also curious how they determined you needed a new O2 sensor. Was the CEL illuminated? A lazy O2 sensor could be detected with certain scanners/software, but I have no idea why they'd do that if all you had it in for was an oil change.
Before tackling the job, apply a generous amount of penetrating oil such as Kroil or Liquid Wrench. When installing the new sensor, put some high-temp copper anti-seize on the threads.
I'm also curious how they determined you needed a new O2 sensor. Was the CEL illuminated? A lazy O2 sensor could be detected with certain scanners/software, but I have no idea why they'd do that if all you had it in for was an oil change.
Ilikemy3s
Member
- Dec 3, 2011
- 370
They may be baseing the O2 sensor on the milage and trying to drum up extra work. I know the O2 sensors take a beating due to the heat of the exhaust but I am not sure what the change out interval is.
As for the oil change . .if they used Synthetic oil it is about right?
As for the oil change . .if they used Synthetic oil it is about right?
No lights at all, all they were doing was a oil change and they told her that they noticed it was bad, she knows nothing about cars thats y she had them change the air filter too
strat81
Member
- Dec 29, 2011
- 399
Razorback said:
Must be that new GM Goodwrench class - "Diagnosing Sensor Malfunctions and Estimating Lifespan Using Looks, Glances, and Other Cursory Observation Techniques".
Unless it was physically damaged (i.e., wires disconnected), I don't see how they can "notice" that. A disconnected O2 sensor should throw a code.
FWIW, the O2 sensor in the wife's Honda lasted for about 80k miles. Haven't replaced one in the Rainier yet (70k and counting).
RayVoy
Member
- Nov 20, 2011
- 939
As some have posted, a "bad" O2 sensor will throw a code.
O2 sensors will get lazy.................how's your gas mileage? A lazy O2 sensor will normally show itself with poor mileage.
I normally change the front (yep, there's 2) sensor when I change plugs..........................at 100,000 miles.
If mileage is good (and you have said there was no light), find a new dealer
O2 sensors will get lazy.................how's your gas mileage? A lazy O2 sensor will normally show itself with poor mileage.
I normally change the front (yep, there's 2) sensor when I change plugs..........................at 100,000 miles.
If mileage is good (and you have said there was no light), find a new dealer
Those dealerships don't see a woman walking in the door, they see a 5ft 2" dollar sign coming in the door.....
They don't get a hardon because the woman is hot, they get a hardon cuz they know they are about to make some loot!
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
My original lasted to 114k without any issues, then rolled over and died. Quite noticeable when it died because it started running bad, almost stalled, then the SES light kicked on and it started running OK again.
The O2 sensors in my old car had 161k miles on them and never gave a lick of trouble.
So yours at 47k miles should be just fine unless your having a code for it and/or poor mpg, although poor mpg can be caused by numerous other issues too.
The O2 sensors in my old car had 161k miles on them and never gave a lick of trouble.
So yours at 47k miles should be just fine unless your having a code for it and/or poor mpg, although poor mpg can be caused by numerous other issues too.
ScarabEpic22
Member
- Nov 20, 2011
- 728
McGMT said:Those dealerships don't see a woman walking in the door, they see a 5ft 2" dollar sign coming in the door.....
Let me rephrase this, when a CHEVY/domestic dealership sees a woman walk in. All the domestic dealers Ive dealt with in Seattle have been this way, I got fed up watching them treat my mom like an idiotso I taught myself to do all the maintenance on our 02 TB. Then her 99 RX300, grandma's 96 ES300, my 08 TBSS, etc.
Now, the VW and Audi dealerships have been VERY kind to her, I have her go in first and see what they say, then I go in and play dumb for 10 mins to see what they'll try to pull when Im there. Been straight shooters whether Im there or not, Im not as worried about her going there with her Audi now.
Oh, and btw my mom has a Masters degree and does 100+ individual, ~20 small business, and 3 medium business tax returns BY HERSELF during tax season, dont think she's an idiot, slow, or anything like that.
I would take it in there and have them DEMONSTRATE with the Tech II tool how they know the sensor is bad. Depending on how much hemming and hawing is involved, then demand some money back for the air filter, especially if they didn't give the bad one back to her to show you.
Then depending how much hemming and hawing, go to Yelp and give them a scathing review. And complain to GM corporate about the abuse.
List on the O2 sensor is $96.92, if parts4chevys.com is accurate. The public price from them is $55.73.
Then depending how much hemming and hawing, go to Yelp and give them a scathing review. And complain to GM corporate about the abuse.
List on the O2 sensor is $96.92, if parts4chevys.com is accurate. The public price from them is $55.73.
Short Bus
Member
- Dec 2, 2011
- 1,906
Wooluf1952
Member
If they had actually tested the O2 sensor, they would have charged $100 to put it on the machine.
If you do decide to do it DIY, only use the AC Delco sensor. Not the Bosch.
If you do decide to do it DIY, only use the AC Delco sensor. Not the Bosch.
Ya know, Its a damn shame these places are like this. But it all comes down to how GM and the dealer pays the workforce. Commissions and add-ons... You know, piece work. The more they sell, the more they make, and if you don't know anything about cars then they will try to sucker you every time. Just like these coal bucket drivers around here, (I live next to 2 coal fired pwr plants.) they are paid by the load/ton, people are getting killed left and right by speeding or junk trucks because they are in a big damn hurry.
strat81 said:
One day my manager at the GM dealer told me "If you don't know the answer, baffle them with bullshit." And like was said earlier about the foreign dealers being nice, I don't think that any place other than domestic brands has a business model like that...
Getting ready to change out my O2 sensor. Just wondering for how long do you soak the O2 sensor before taking it out? Does overnight work or should you keep applying for a few days? Why the copper type anti-seize over the regular king ??
Fire06 said:
IMHO, soak it a few times over an hour or two if its gonna work it will after that amount of time realistically. Copper just works better on those types of things. It wont harm the sensor and helps grounding through the system if needed...
Oh, and it wasn't abundantly clear WHY dealers offer discount oil changes, it's to get fresh meat in the door to pounce on. They LIVE for the upsell. Well, Jiffy-RipOFF-Lube places do as well, but JRL doesn't pretend to change O2 sensors as part of their scam. Just fluids and filters.
FREE oil changes aren't cheap enough to get me to let my selling dealer ever touch the Roadiemobile again. I just drive by and wave: "You ain't getting NO PIECE of THIS..."
FREE oil changes aren't cheap enough to get me to let my selling dealer ever touch the Roadiemobile again. I just drive by and wave: "You ain't getting NO PIECE of THIS..."
Thank you for the info, i thinkthey were just trying to take her money, like i said she paid $91.76 for oil change and air filter, and they have a sign outside $29.95 for oil change, so i guess the air filter was made out of gold. I think i will just drive until it light come on or it runs bad, i had it in indianapolis last weekend and it ran great and it had great gas mileage
GM list price for the air filter is $44.02. So their hourly rate must be around $400/hour, or the tech is a former Trunk Monkey on hiatus from the TV commercials, but it really takes him a half hour to change an air filter because he's .... well......a MONKEY.Razorback said:
[video=youtube;8avOiTUcD4Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y[/video]
Wooluf1952
Member
Sparky said:
Glad it's working for you.
I'm just going by reports here and on the OS from members that had to replace the Bosch, with an AC Delco brand, tho get their engines to run right.
If it's possible, I'd get the AC Delco and not take the chance.
Got to ask............. wouldn't the O2 sensor be considered part of the emission system and be covered by that warranty? I think it's 8 yrs and 80000 miles.
the roadie said:
Roadie love the trunk monkey>> Never seen it before and it is good for a laugh..
The US Federal mandated emissions warranty is for 2 years and 24000 miles on ALL elements and that would include the sensor. Most manufacturer's warranties are already better than that, but not always in 1995, when the law was written.AbsoluteZero said:
The 8 year, 80000 extended mandated warranty only applies to "major" elements of the system, defined in the law as:
* Catalytic converters
* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).
* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
Wooluf1952 said:
I certainly agree. And I actually have a Denso sensor on the shelf because I fully expected to be ripping the Bosch out as I considered it a temporary fix to get me on the road again. (I was told Denso makes the AC Delco sensors and they looked identical.) I'm surprised how well it has been working with the Bosch.
the roadie said:
Thanks for the clarification. Looks like the manufacturers have a good lobby rep!
I replaced my O2 sensor as the odo approached 100K with an ACD 213-1551 from Amazon. At the time cost was $68. I see it's now listed at $53.
I have recently had problems with a Delco O2 sensor in the 95 S10 4.3l engine. On a long grade the I'd get the code of lost signal and the engine would go into open loop(don't recall exact code) for the sensor. Amazon replaced the first sensor however the second did the same thing. Returned to Amazon for credit and I now have the original reinstalled with no problems. Only happened on long grades of 3 miles or more but very reproducible.
AbsoluteZero said:
I do believe that Rockauto has Delco sensors for between 30 - 40 bucks. Just food for thought...
All sensors I heard of, and Bosch isn't a terrible brand by any means, give good sensor data and function well and driveability isn't affected.Sparky said:
The history of this issue is that the Bosch HEATER circuit in the sensor, that helps get the sensor up to operating temperature faster with a cold engine, is slightly outside the expected specs that the PCM has built in. There is a diagnostic test to make sure the sensor heater isn't drawing too much or too little current, and the Bosch sensors are too close to the GM limits built into this PCM in our platform. GM was probably being too picky and set the limits of the diagnostic too tight.
I'd never think that GM was intentionally trying to EXCLUDE Bosch sensors in favor of AC Delco, now would I?
