MK4 1.6L - Oxygen Sensor Issue

[insomnia]

I had my Oxygen Sensor replaced at about 110,000kms on my Golf and at 120,000kms the part went faulty (proven by a computer scan) and the car is running rough again.

My mechanic said he will not replace the part free of charge but just not charge me labour but is still going to charge me over $300 to replace the part, which is just ridiculous. I would have thought the part, being a bosch part would be covered by some kind of warranty as it died after being in for 11 months.

Anyway, a year later and I still haven't done anything about it and my fuel enconomy is going down the toilet due to it idling rough.

Can someone recommend someone that stocks the part at a decent price? or someone in Melbourne that is not going to rip me off.

Since this has happened, I think I am going to change mechanics or just do the work myself.


Thanks in advance

[gavs]

All replacement parts come with a warranty which needs to be honoured by either a)the mechanic that fitted that part or b) the manufacturer of that part.

If the part is defective and it was the mechanic that diagnosed it, then he will have to cover all costs associated. If it is something that you have personally diagnosed and then had the mechanic replace under your instructions, then he doesn't have to honour anything. The warranty under this circumstance should be covered by the manufacturer of the part.

I noticed you said that it's been a year since your problems started, so unless you can find out what the warranty period on the sensor is from bosch, I think that unfortunately you will have to stump up the cash for a replacement part. Speak to Burwin Volkswagen in Ferntree Gully (the cheapest stealer i've found) to get an initial price, then speak to some other places like bursons etc, maybe some fuel injection specialists, and compare your costs....

[Jmac]

I feel it will be throwing a lambda fault , which probably means on the AKL motor it really is doing its job and is probably reading an over rich or lean mixture to throw the code, If his scanner can read live data you can check the function of the probe no worries, you can manually richen or lean the engine and watch the probe behaviour. Akl engine bad for air leaks mate, inlet manifold o rings, vac pipe off at the breather pipe, commonly missed and maybe even a ****y temp sensor.
Many probes get changed when the are working fine, however at around 100,000 that you mention its probably due, as for the second one have the data read
Cheers
Jmac

[Treza360]

Have a read through the links here if you want to know for sure:

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/653915

Cheers,
Trent

[Guest0608]

I feel it will be throwing a lambda fault , which probably means on the AKL motor it really is doing its job and is probably reading an over rich or lean mixture to throw the code, If his scanner can read live data you can check the function of the probe no worries, you can manually richen or lean the engine and watch the probe behaviour. Akl engine bad for air leaks mate, inlet manifold o rings, vac pipe off at the breather pipe, commonly missed and maybe even a ****y temp sensor.
Many probes get changed when the are working fine, however at around 100,000 that you mention its probably due, as for the second one have the data read
Cheers
Jmac

I agree with Jmac, AKL 1.6 motor is a bugger for running fault codes, like Jmac says, its proberly not the probe at fault, it just says probe reading too high/too low on the diag screen so the guy thinks thats the fault, its mearly just doing what it should. Check the pipe between your throttle body and airbox, there is a small pipe that comes off that big one to your rocker cover, split badly there and that would give your incorrect lambda reading, think they are about $150 for the pipe it its broken. -vwtech-

[insomnia]

Thanks very much for the tip's guys. I will check that pipe to see if it has been split.

[gerhard]

Change your mechanic too.

The reason he won't warrant the part could be that he fitted a second hand one and charged you for new.......

[gavs]

I agree with Jmac, AKL 1.6 motor is a bugger for running fault codes, like Jmac says, its proberly not the probe at fault, it just says probe reading too high/too low on the diag screen so the guy thinks thats the fault, its mearly just doing what it should. Check the pipe between your throttle body and airbox, there is a small pipe that comes off that big one to your rocker cover, split badly there and that would give your incorrect lambda reading, think they are about $150 for the pipe it its broken. -vwtech-

Interesting, my lambda sensor was showing a code with description of something to do with high output and did the logging to check it out (all with Ross-Tech VAG thingy) and the sensor itself was fine....Maybe this is my issue too....

[Jmac]

Thanks very much for the tip's guys. I will check that pipe to see if it has been split.

Also check the little vac line that connects to it, very common to be disconnected and drawing secondary air, makes it run rough as
Cheers
Jmac

[insomnia]

Thanks I'll check that too.. Haven't had a chance to check it yet, due to getting home late from work every night this week.


Basically another insight as to how it runs is... When I stop at the lights for instance it goes from revving rather smoothly then after i take my foot off the accellerator pedal it starts idling rough for about 10 seconds then it seems to work its self out and idle consistantly smooth until the pedal is touched again.