Fuel Sensor. A Cheap Do It Yourself?

[Bigmikelakers]

So I had my CEL checked out today by my mechanic and he told me my fuel sensor is going bad. He quoted me 350 to replace it. I almost fainted when I heard that number haha. Is this an easy do it yourself fix? I would think a Denso fuel sensor wouldn't be that expensive and putting in other things such as an O2 sensor seem relatively simple.

 

[kball]

You mean air/fuel ratio sensor? upstream/pre cat O2 sensor?

Yeah it's easy and you're a so cal boy so no rust. For $350 you could replace it 4 times!!

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Yeah the air/fuel ratio sensor. Thats what I was thinking. Paying for that damn labor.

 

[kball]

I don't even get the labor part... it's like a 15 minute job! And for me to say that it means something since I took days to do my lift and timing belt job!

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Really? That quick? I wonder if there's like a walkthrough somewhere on how to do it.

 

[kball]

This should give you an idea...

4x4Wire - Tech: Time to Replace the O2 Sensor on your 3rd Gen Toyota?

 

[hugo2go]

I'll do it for ya, $40

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I'll do it for ya, $40

Do you live in Socal?

 

[jspagna1]

You mean air/fuel ratio sensor? upstream/pre cat O2 sensor?

Yeah it's easy and you're a so cal boy so no rust. For $350 you could replace it 4 times!!

Yup. On mine the sensor was still good, but the 12mm bolts were so rusted one side was gone. Replaced the bolts and everything was fine. Easy fix to replace.
Ya the sensor itself is not cheap, but their rapping you on the labor.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Step by step:

Buy replacement Denso sensor
Get a 12 mm wrench and a 10 mm socket
Climb under the passenger side of your truck
Unbolt 10 mm bolt holding sensor plug in place
Unplug sensor
Unbolt two 12mm nuts holding sensor into exhaust
Remove sensor and gasket.
Install new gasket and sensor (gasket comes with the sensor.)
Bolt down with two 12 mm nuts.
Plug sensor back in
Reinstall 10 mm bolt to hold plug out of the way
Climb out from under your truck.

It's one of the easiest DIY's you can do.

 

[TheDurk]

Step by step:

Buy replacement Denso sensor
Get a 12 mm wrench and a 10 mm socket
Climb under the passenger side of your truck
Unbolt 10 mm bolt holding sensor plug in place
Unplug sensor
Unbolt two 12mm nuts holding sensor into exhaust
Remove sensor and gasket.
Install new gasket and sensor (gasket comes with the sensor.)
Bolt down with two 12 mm nuts.
Plug sensor back in
Reinstall 10 mm bolt to hold plug out of the way
Climb out from under your truck.

It's one of the easiest DIY's you can do.

^^Good job. But....

Tip: Your '01 should be the same as my Cali. '99. No bolt on plug. You need to undo the SENSOR first. Then pass it up and over the pipe and let it fall down the other side. You can then undo the plug easily. Do NOT try to undo the plug first as all the DIY's say to if you have a '99-'00 Cali. or any '01-'02, because it is virtually impossible. The DIY's I have seen are all written for the old single-cat exhaust, not the newer air/fuel dual cat exhausts.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

So this is the part?

Amazon.com: Denso 234-9002 Oxygen Sensor (Air and Fuel Ratio Sensor): Automotive

Looks like a simple plug in to me. Where is it exactly under the 4runner?

 

[kball]

So this is the part?

Amazon.com: Denso 234-9002 Oxygen Sensor (Air and Fuel Ratio Sensor): Automotive

Looks like a simple plug in to me. Where is it exactly under the 4runner?

That appears to be the right part for your year.

Here's a pic of my 96, your 01 will be different but should give you an idea. You have two cats on your truck so you need to look in front of the forward most cat for the air/fuel sensor.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Nice. Thanks for the pic. I wonder if I could get under there without jacking it up?

 

[RunninOnBlue]

Nice. Thanks for the pic. I wonder if I could get under there without jacking it up?

I did it without jacking it up.

(Also hundreds of @#$%ing cat thieves do too!)

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Haha true I didn't think of that. And plus you have running boards and I don't so I should have more clearance. This seems so simple to fix. Like changing a battery on a car. Can't believe my mechanic wanted 350!

 

[rpearlberg]

So this should be able to be done in the driveway, without lifting the vehicle? I bought the new sensors, but not sure I can actually do it myself....

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Thats what the guys have been saying. Its really simple. But, I do have the same concerns as you. If it was that easy then why do mechanics charge 300 plus bucks for it. Must be a lot of time to do thus the price due to labor.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I just went under my truck right now and its tight but you can go under without a lift.

 

[Nashvegas34]

Thats what the guys have been saying. Its really simple. But, I do have the same concerns as you. If it was that easy then why do mechanics charge 300 plus bucks for it. Must be a lot of time to do thus the price due to labor.

Just because it takes some time doesn't necessarily mean it's hard. Think about the timing belt/water pump job if you've ever looked into doing it. It's not really hard, but it takes a while, which is why a dealer might charge upwards of $800-$1000 for it, mostly in labor. Take your time, enjoy a brewski if so inclined, and then let us all know how slow you were!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/115661-slow-workers-world-unite.html