O2 sensor as PM?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
O2 sensor as PM?
I'd like counsel on PM for 01 XLT V6. The truck has about 120K and has been great. Recent repairs include new PS pump and rack. Yesterday, she got new front struts and rear shocks. The only other repair in a decade of ownership was idle control valve a few years ago. Everything else, I consider maintenance, including the famed sway bar links. I plan to keep this truck for a while longer and would like the collective thoughts of this group as far as replacing O2 sensors as PM. I've got no CEL showing but have rationalized that fresh O2 sensors would ensure I pass emissions and might improve gas mileage. The "aft" sensors don't look too hard to get at but I'm wondering if there is a trick to the "before" cat sensors. At least from underneath, they look tough to get to. Better to go from the top? Or should I leave well enough alone and wait for a CEL?
Thanks
Tom H
Colorado Springs, CO
Thanks
Tom H
Colorado Springs, CO
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
If it passes emissions and your fuel mileage is still as expected, there's really nothing to be gained by replacing the upstream sensors. They'd cost $120-130 for parts plus some skinned knuckles but for what. If the fuel trims are still in good shape, you'd never break even on fuel savings.
Don't waste your time and money replacing the downstream sensors until they're proven bad. All they do is monitor the converters.
Don't waste your time and money replacing the downstream sensors until they're proven bad. All they do is monitor the converters.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
02 sensor as PM
ProjectSHO -
You raise good points. Possibly, I can borrow a scanner/reader and check the fuel trims before going to the trouble of replacing the sensors. For the record, MPG is 15 in town, 20 on the highway, down a fair amount from the good old days of 20/25. My thought was a full tuneup of plugs, coils and the O2 sensors this spring might get the mpg up again. Idea of waiting until CEL is on or it fails emission something I'd like to avoid as those events always seem to happen at inconvenient times and put me at the mercy of a shop and the accompanying prices. The sensor themselves aren't bad (Densos are $27 each from Rock Auto) but the skinned knuckles you mention look like a real possibility.
Tom H
Colorado Springs, CO
You raise good points. Possibly, I can borrow a scanner/reader and check the fuel trims before going to the trouble of replacing the sensors. For the record, MPG is 15 in town, 20 on the highway, down a fair amount from the good old days of 20/25. My thought was a full tuneup of plugs, coils and the O2 sensors this spring might get the mpg up again. Idea of waiting until CEL is on or it fails emission something I'd like to avoid as those events always seem to happen at inconvenient times and put me at the mercy of a shop and the accompanying prices. The sensor themselves aren't bad (Densos are $27 each from Rock Auto) but the skinned knuckles you mention look like a real possibility.
Tom H
Colorado Springs, CO
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 133
From: Burleson, Tx
225,000+ miles and have yet to replace any sensors.
As of now the only things that I have replaced that were not normal maintenance are the alternator (3 times- d@mn thing!) and the idle control valve.
As of now the only things that I have replaced that were not normal maintenance are the alternator (3 times- d@mn thing!) and the idle control valve.
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