Vehicle: 1999E320 Wagon,2000 E 320 Wagon, 2000 E 55 powered wagon MGB Track/Rally 94 Subaru
Posts: 5,067
they will
trip a cel and then you either replace them if over 80k miles just because it is a part of maint like changing oil,or you confirm the fault by back probing with a multimeter or a real time scanner at a shop or an autotap.com unit if you have one in your home shop.
Not a hard diy if you are careful with the wires and use the correct socket and pull them when the pipes are still warm,not hot they burn but warm makes it easier to turn them out.And always use the supplied antiseize or if not supplied the special o2 sensor anti seize the plain stuff will bung up a o2 sensor if it gets onto the probe.
Vehicle: 2001 SLK 320(111K Miles), 2002 E320 Special Edition(122K Miles)
Location: South Bay Area,L.A., CA
Posts: 1,764
I'll just wait for a CEL and code to come on before changing the failed one. They are very easy to get to, so I'll just changed the failed one. I've checked mine with my real-time scanner and they are still perfect at 93,000 miles. But I mostly do long trips so the exhaust and sensors get warmed up properly on every trip. On my 190E I had 145,000 miles on the O2 sensor without replacing. Strangely enough, the service instructions for that car said to replace the O2 sensor ONCE at 80,000 miles, and the O2 sensor light came on at 81,000 miles. The replacement lasted for 145,000 miles until the car was written off at 226,000 miles, passing a smog test 2 week prior to its demise.
Vehicle: 2002 E320 4Matic, 107K miles as of Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 595
good stuff kobus! i'm surprised they're so easy to do though...i guess for me the issue is getting it lifted and supported properly before i can do the work.
__________________
2002 E320 4matic sedan, black on beige ("sport" package - bird's eye maple trim, 17" sport rims), 108K miles
good stuff kobus! i'm surprised they're so easy to do though...i guess for me the issue is getting it lifted and supported properly before i can do the work.
FJ, you know I'm a big proponent of DIY...however, when the time comes for my car, then assuming after inspection that the rest of the exhaust system is in good condition, I'll be buying aftermarkets and taking them to a muffler shop to be welded in. You can do both in this manner -- and replace all four O2 sensors -- for less than the cost of doing one cat with the stock setup...and you only have to lift the car enough to inspect it. (FWIW I do have a relatively green mind; the aftermarket units retain the proper specs and emission requirements, I wouldn't want to turn my ULEV vehicle into a polluter. Part of this is not just cost; if I rip out an entire side and the only bad part is the cat, then the rest must be recycled, but re-use is better than recycling any day.)
JMHO, I'll never impugn anyone for retaining the factory setup.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. Ronald Reagan
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
Vehicle: 2002 E320 4Matic, 107K miles as of Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 595
i'm just wondering if a muffler shop will even do that? some mechanics might balk at that, saying they're not going to use your parts and then weld something together, then be responsible if it doesn't work, you know?
so the "universal cats" are much smaller pieces than we see in the DIY?
as for o2 sensor replacement, is that something one can do easily enough with just wal-mart ramps? that's all i really have for lift...that, the jack, and wood blocks!
Vehicle: 2001 SLK 320(111K Miles), 2002 E320 Special Edition(122K Miles)
Location: South Bay Area,L.A., CA
Posts: 1,764
The upstream ones (before the cat) you replace from then engine compartment. The downstream ones - well that depends on your girth . You can actually slide in underneath and remove them without lifting the car. Or if you don't mind working outside, drive the wheels one one side on the pavement. Any ramps will work fine.
I have 87K on my E320 wagon and live in the OC. I had one cat replaced under warranty and the other just started rattling. Couldn't afford to have the dealer replace the cat $1,200 P&L and the good guy price! How many O2 sensors do I need w/ 80K mi? Where should I buy them and a universal cat? Do you know of a welding shop in the OC or South Bay that can do the work reasonably?
Vehicle: 2002 E320 4Matic, 107K miles as of Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 595
You shouldn't need any O2 sensors replaced with a universal cat; I know I didn't. You can replace O2 sensors at 100K, that's what ohlord's recommendation is, or you can wait till the system screams at you for having old O2 sensors after 100K miles
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
(FWIW I do have a relatively green mind; the aftermarket units retain the proper specs and emission requirements, I wouldn't want to turn my ULEV vehicle into a polluter. Part of this is not just cost; if I rip out an entire side and the only bad part is the cat, then the rest must be recycled, but re-use is better than recycling any day.)
Linear Mode
