02 3.4 Oxygen/Fuel sensor bad

[dwulffusa]

A friend of mine as an 02 3.4 with approx 100,000 miles on it. The engine light recently came on an Toyota charged $80 to tell him it was one of the oxygen/fuel mix senors (apparently there are 2) before the actual oxygen sensor that needs replacing. Part costs approx $200 and labor $150 to replace. They also told him it could eventually overheat from this (?). They did not turn the light of to see if it would come back on immediately. How can you do this?

Car is not behaving unusually at all.

Does this sound reasonable, anyone else had this and is there an alternative fix?

Thanks

 

[004Gunner]

Posting up the codes that came up is always a plus but he should contact the dealer to see which sensor needs to be replaced. Mine is CA specs so it has two catalytic converters and uses an air/fuel ratio sensor in the front, not an O2 sensor. Either way it is easy to replace yourself but you need to have the right information so you replace the right part. The labor charge sounds excessive btw.

 

[dwulffusa]

Posting up the codes that came up is always a plus but he should contact the dealer to see which sensor needs to be replaced. Mine is CA specs so it has two catalytic converters and uses an air/fuel ratio sensor in the front, not an O2 sensor. Either way it is easy to replace yourself but you need to have the right information so you replace the right part. The labor charge sounds excessive btw.

Any idea how long it would take, argue point for the labor charge?
Do we get any discounts on parts through the forums?
Anyone live in the Triad NC area and willing to do this (if it doesnt take that long) for a case of your finest brew? Where does the thing sit?

 

[004Gunner]

If I had to do it again it would take me about 5 minutes. Anything over half an hour labor is ludicrous. I sprayed a penetrating oil on the nuts that hold the sensor so they came off easily, but even including the time waiting to allow the penetrating oil to work it shouldn't take a half hour. The A/F ratio sensor was in front of the first catalytic converter after the Y. I have heard people say Partznet is really good with prices (the top banner ad on here). I paid $162 for mine which was a commercial discount