oxygen sensor issue (failed smog in CA)

[beklemmung]

Background: the catalytic converter was stolen off my 1997 4Runner about 7 years ago when the previous owner had it. Since then it has passed 3 smog tests without issue (2 for the previous owner and 1 since I got it).

Recently had it tested again to renew registration and it passed the computer test but was failed for visual inspection. Supposedly the rear oxygen sensor has a "spacer" and the "wires were cut" and the shop wants to charge me $410 to fix it. I got them to send a pic and would appreciate if anyone has any input about whether it shows anything useful before I just shell out the money. For what it's worth, the shop that failed it is test only, so the shop that's now telling me about the repair didn't generate their own business by failing the visual inspection.

[/IMG]

 

[shadow247]

Background: the catalytic converter was stolen off my 1997 4Runner about 7 years ago when the previous owner had it. Since then it has passed 3 smog tests without issue (2 for the previous owner and 1 since I got it).

Recently had it tested again to renew registration and it passed the computer test but was failed for visual inspection. Supposedly the rear oxygen sensor has a "spacer" and the "wires were cut" and the shop wants to charge me $410 to fix it. I got them to send a pic and would appreciate if anyone has any input about whether it shows anything useful before I just shell out the money. For what it's worth, the shop that failed it is test only, so the shop that's now telling me about the repair didn't generate their own business by failing the visual inspection.

[/IMG]

That spacer is 100% illegal in California, and those taped up wires are super suspect too. It's likely the converter is not a CARB compliant converter and would not clear the check engine light. These CA spec engines are super sensitive to the CAT working properly. You may need to replace the converter with something like this one from Eastern Catalytic that is CARB compliant..

More Information for AP / EASTERN 910153

 

[beklemmung]

Thanks for the input! I guess the previous smog shops that gave me a pass for the inspections were being less than diligent...

 

[shadow247]

Thanks for the input! I guess the previous smog shops that gave me a pass for the inspections were being less than diligent...

Sounds like it. I would be very leary of the 410 dollar fix as well. If they are just going to redo the wiring so it looks cleaner, and install the 02 sensor properly, you are possibly going to fail for the Check Engine light....

 

[Devbot]

I'd be curious what this $410 fix entails, exactly... as in what's involved beyond just throwing in a new sensor.

 

[2TH4IST]

Okay I'll chime in here. That doesn't look like a spacer at all. It looks like the standard o2 sensor just unbolted.

I'd get under there and take a look before plunking any $ down.

Or is there a pic missing?

 

[beklemmung]

I'm going to talk to the guy again in the morning, I couldn't hear him very well when he called me today. Will try to get some clarity - thanks again all for your help.

 

[beklemmung]

Okay I'll chime in here. That doesn't look like a spacer at all. It looks like the standard o2 sensor just unbolted.

I'd get under there and take a look before plunking any $ down.

Or is there a pic missing?

There's just that one pic I posted.

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

Is the shop charging you $410 to properly install the O2 sensor and pass CA smog? If so, I'm curious to know why the "spacer" was ever needed to begin with. It actually looks like the nuts are missing and the sensor is about to fall off the end of the bolts but the picture is kind of blurry.

 

[octanejunkie]

Where were the wires cut?

Upstream or downstream sensor?
The upper is an Air/Fuel sensor, lower and O2 sensor.

PNs for these are easily found. In a pinch Bosch sensors will work if you cannot find Denso.

I say replace the sensor yourself and drive it like you stole it to see if the CEL clears itself, they often do, before doing anything with a shop - but that's me.

 

[beklemmung]

Where were the wires cut?

Upstream or downstream sensor?
The upper is an Air/Fuel sensor, lower and O2 sensor.

PNs for these are easily found. In a pinch Bosch sensors will work if you cannot find Denso.

I say replace the sensor yourself and drive it like you stole it to see if the CEL clears itself, they often do, before doing anything with a shop - but that's me.

Spoke with the shop again. They're claiming that when the cat was previously replaced the mounting bolts for the O2 sensor were stripped for whatever reason, and instead of fixing it correctly the spacer was added to allow the O2 sensor to still be installed. So the estimate is to remove the spacer, drill holes for the bolts, and install a new O2 sensor. (I contacted the previous owner to try to get info about what was done when the cat was stolen years ago but he claims he doesn't remember, only that he had no issue passing smog inspection twice after the work was done.)

I'm 99% sure this is the downstream sensor. If this was a plug and play fix I'd attempt it myself, but based on what the shop is telling me re: the bolts, this is beyond my limited ability to fix.

 

[octanejunkie]

Spoke with the shop again. They're claiming that when the cat was previously replaced the mounting bolts for the O2 sensor were stripped for whatever reason, and instead of fixing it correctly the spacer was added to allow the O2 sensor to still be installed. So the estimate is to remove the spacer, drill holes for the bolts, and install a new O2 sensor. (I contacted the previous owner to try to get info about what was done when the cat was stolen years ago but he claims he doesn't remember, only that he had no issue passing smog inspection twice after the work was done.)

I'm 99% sure this is the downstream sensor. If this was a plug and play fix I'd attempt it myself, but based on what the shop is telling me re: the bolts, this is beyond my limited ability to fix.

Got it

This is something a muffler shop could/should be able to do for under $100 plus parts

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Devbot]

Got it

This is something a muffler shop could/should be able to do for under $100 plus parts

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Or at the very least, just call some local exhaust/muffler shops and ask them for a second quote. I'm very skeptical of this $400 bill unless they're actually dropping the exhaust - which I doubt cause that'd make it a much bigger pain than it needs to be

 

[thegipper]

Muffler shop should be a lot cheaper.

I would personally just cut off the stripped studs and weld in some new ones. Sawzall time, maybe 5 minutes. Clean up area, another 5 minutes. Cut two pieces of threaded rod to length, another 5 minutes. Weld in the new studs, another 5 minutes. Remove excess weld, another 5 minutes.

Reinstall O2 sensor with new one and bolt it back in, another 5 minutes.

Problem solved. Now if you don't have the stuff to do that, a muffler shop would still probably be a lot cheaper than your first quote.

 

[Riceye]

Those studs are pretty hard steel. The sensor does not require much torque to retain. If I was doing this on mine, first thing I would do is remove the sensor (which may be junk if it was living outside the exhaust), clean and lube the studs with cutting oil, run a die or thread chaser up and down each one to restore what thread there is. Then, install a proper o2 sensor with a new gasket and pair of fresh m8x1.25 copper clad exhaust nuts.