My "check engine" lite has been on for awhile. Had the code read and it came back as (#P01131) AC dripping on the RH front O2 sensor TSB#00-01-07. Talked to the Ford dealer and he printed out the TSB for me. It describes the fix "to extend the AC drain line and to replace the O2 sensor" My questions are:
1: is there anyway to get Ford to pay for this?
2: my truck ('97 F150 5.4 4X4)runs good most of the time, do I have to replace the $155 sensor? Am I wasting my time just extending the drain and not replacing the sensor.
3: has anyone else done this fix? Is it worth one hour shop labor to get the dealer to do it?
Thanks for the help

 

The TSB states that warranty status is "Eligible Under The Provisions Of The Basic Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage"
If you're off warranty Ford wont pay for it.
If you clear the code by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes will the Chek Engine light come back on right away?
If it does then just fixing the AC drain probably wont fix it.
Basically what the TSB says is to install and extension on the drain and aim it away from the O2. I think you could probably just take a piece of rubber hose and install it somehow to do the job.

 

Thanks for the reply. When the light first came on, it stayed off for 2 or 3 days. Now it seems to be closer to 2 or 3 hours. Is it related to driving time or to driving cycles? The truck runs very smoothly after the battery is reconnected, then it becomes gradually a little rougher and then the light comes on again.

The TSB does say that it is covered under warranty and of course my truck is a '97 but it only has 110 k. In the warranty info book a warranty for 130 k and 8 years is mentioned for certain emission parts. No chance this part of the warranty will help me?

If I decide to install the new sensor myself, is the new sensor treated like other electrical parts? I mean as soon as I buy it the part it is mine and that if there were something wrong with the new part too bad for me no returns.

I have seen in other posts that it is not recomended to buy aftermarket sensors, what about used ones? Do ones from newer trucks interchange?

Thanks for your time and help. JohnE

 

With the light turning on quite quickly after you reconnect the battery I think that just fixing the drain wont fix it. You will probably have to replace the sensor but there are other problems that can cause O2 codes as well such as a misfire, a vacuum leak or a dirty MAF or fuel pressure problems. Since the code is only for 1 O2 you should probably start by checking things on that bank such as a misfire or vacuum leak.

When the check engine light comes on the PCM will go into a failure mode and use preset tables for the amount of fuel it injects etc. It will run ok but not as well as it should.

I'm not sure anymore what is or isnt covered under emissions warranty. Your dealer can tell you.

Unless you have a very understanding parts department there the O2 would be like any other electrical part....you buy it, you own it. If somehow you could prove that the new part was faulty then they would probably give you another one but if you buy it, try it and decide that's not the problem they probably wont take it back.

I'm pretty sure that most O2's from similar years are the same but dont quote me on that
The autowreckers interchange manual would probably tell them or your dealer can tell you too.
If you can get one really cheap from a wrecker that might be something to try. O2's dont really die all that often anymore so chances are pretty good you could get a good used one.

 

Thanks again. I'll use your suggestions.