O2 sensor replacement
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Reading USA
O2 sensor replacement
I have a '98 Expy, 5.4L, 2WD w/ 115K miles. The check engine light has been on for 30K miles. It's starting to ping really badly under load (going up hills, even without a trailer). I had Autozone check the codes and it's the ubiquitous "lean banks 1 & 2". I have replaced the spark plugs (really big pain in the *** unless you have small hands) with no help so I figure the O2 sensors might be the next culprit. The Ford dealer wants $350 to replace the two, but I can buy the sensors for less than $70 a piece (oh yeah, they also wanted $350 for the 105K tune up). I tried to get the old ones off before I bought the replacements. I started with the passenger side sensor since it looked more difficult to replace. Both sensors appear inaccessible through the engine compartment (it's so tight in there I bet light won't even shine through to the ground). I tried going up from beneath the Expedition but could not get to the passenger side sensor (Driver's side looks like I could get a wrench on it). It looks as if I would have to take off the exhaust manifold just to remove the sensor. I live up here in the snow belt of PA so my exhaust bolts are pretty much rusted in place and I did not want to spend my whole weekend trying to get the manifold off.
Does anyone know an easy way to replace the two forward O2 sensors? I'd like to keep the $200 in my pocket if I could.
Does anyone know an easy way to replace the two forward O2 sensors? I'd like to keep the $200 in my pocket if I could.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
I've never really contemplated how hard it would be to replace the sensors, although I've "looked" at them when doing other work under the vehicle. From memory, I didn't think they looked too difficult to replace, but since you've been down there more recently I'll take your word.
How many hours did ford quote for labor? Seems like $350 would include more than $150 in parts if you are getting the parts from Ford. I'd call a couple local repair facilities that you or friends have used in the past and get them to look up the time in the "book" then get a quote from them. If it's something like two hours, you should be able to get someone do do it for around $100 labor. That way you save your knuckles and $100.
Good Luck.
How many hours did ford quote for labor? Seems like $350 would include more than $150 in parts if you are getting the parts from Ford. I'd call a couple local repair facilities that you or friends have used in the past and get them to look up the time in the "book" then get a quote from them. If it's something like two hours, you should be able to get someone do do it for around $100 labor. That way you save your knuckles and $100.
Good Luck.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Reading USA
Thanks for the input. You're right, the Ford price includes their replacement sensors at $125 a piece. I was going to use the Bosch replacements for $67 a piece. I was considering replacing the driver side myself and then asking Ford to just to the passaenger side.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 292
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Before you start, check the notorious "elbow" problem from this link:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...52B%25252Blean
I am pretty sure this causes your problem too. O2 sensors rarely cause something this magnitude.
Good luck!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...52B%25252Blean
I am pretty sure this causes your problem too. O2 sensors rarely cause something this magnitude.
Good luck!
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
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Hey if it is the 02 sensor they are not hard to change all you need is the right tool, there is a special tool for them. In the NY area pep boys has them or you can do a web search it looks like half of an open end wrench with a slot in it where the wire goes , hope this helps
