O2 Sensor question

[Colvs]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question. My Golf (2002, 2.0, Auto) is in at the stealers for a service. I've been told the O2 sensor needs replacing, and they quoted me $750 to do it! Does this sound right? My car hasn't been running rough or blowing black smoke or anything. They said that the O2 sensor is not returning a reading at all (ie : it's dead)

Also, how much should replacement of timing belt and water pump etc reasonably cost? They've quoted around $800.

Cheers,

Colvs

[dylan8]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question. My Golf (2002, 2.0, Auto) is in at the stealers for a service. I've been told the O2 sensor needs replacing, and they quoted me $750 to do it! Does this sound right? My car hasn't been running rough or blowing black smoke or anything. They said that the O2 sensor is not returning a reading at all (ie : it's dead)

Also, how much should replacement of timing belt and water pump etc reasonably cost? They've quoted around $800.

Cheers,

Colvs

For the timing belt iv heard of a lot higher quotes, but also seen lower (myself included).

750 for the o2 sensor sounds to much to me for sure!

Is this a VW dealership?

[Manaz]

I agree on the timing belt/water pump replacement - make sure they use a pump with metal a impeller.

I'd ask for a breakdown of costs on the O2 sensor replacement quote.

[Colvs]

Hey guys, thanks for the reply.

Yeah, it's a VW dealership (Werribee)


Haven't yet had a real chance to talk to them about it and ask questions, but initiallly they've quoted me $746 inc labour to replace O2 sensor (they didn't specify if it was one or two, and I don't really know if my car even has one or two to be honest!)

I'm wondering also at what point the O2 sensor will absolutley need to be done. My car seems to run and idle really smoothly. Can I afford to leave it until it's running like crap, or should it be done ASAP?

Cheers,

Colvs

[Mitchy G]

i had mine replaced a few months ago by rex gorells vw in geelong, it was 300 all up, 150 for the part 150 for the labor. getting royally screwed there dude, but the quote for the timing belt sounds pretty good, im getting mine done in the next month and i would be happy to pay that, i will let you know what its worth to get the timing belt done at gorells but i did speak with owen at RG's and he didnt give me a price but agreed with me that i wouldnt have much change from $1000.

[Colvs]

The only reason I can think of for that quote would be that it's for 2 sensors, not one. There's absolutely no way they could charge $746 just for one, surely?!?!?

[dylan8]

Hey guys, thanks for the reply.

Yeah, it's a VW dealership (Werribee)


Haven't yet had a real chance to talk to them about it and ask questions, but initiallly they've quoted me $746 inc labour to replace O2 sensor (they didn't specify if it was one or two, and I don't really know if my car even has one or two to be honest!)

I'm wondering also at what point the O2 sensor will absolutley need to be done. My car seems to run and idle really smoothly. Can I afford to leave it until it's running like crap, or should it be done ASAP?

Cheers,

Colvs

You can live with a dodgy one im pretty sure, (but dont quote me!!) if it is dying you'll suffer things like lack of power, excess fuel usage, maybe a bit of smoke, but i dont think "damage" as such...

The only reason I can think of for that quote would be that it's for 2 sensors, not one. There's absolutely no way they could charge $746 just for one, surely?!?!?

mines a 2lt and i only had the one replaced. my cars comp actually says the one in the exhaust end was dead, but my mechanic went to look and there isnt one? since replacing the front end one it hasnt logged a fault. I will try and find my receipt to tell you how much i got charged

[Merlin8r]

I had my 2.0 done just over a month ago, and it only had one O2 sensor. $330 all up. But it definately needed it. The car disappeared in a cloud of black smoke under power, and got 400 km's out of a tank.

The timing belt quote looks pretty awesome though.

[Colvs]

Thanks for the input everyone!

Well, looks like I'll get the timing belt etc done at Werribee VW, but I think I'll ring around some other dealers and get some prices for the o2 sensor. Any dealers round Melbourne that are recommended or best to avoid?

Cheers,

Colvs

[blue_reality]

We are making a video soon on a DIY O2 sensor change. The part is only around $100 I think.

$700 for timing belt etc sounds about right and is similar to what I paid for my 2000 GTI.

[Colvs]

We are making a video soon on a DIY O2 sensor change. The part is only around $100 I think.

Awesome, can't wait for it!

Cheers,

Colvs

[jets]

I paid around $100 from Petrojet a few years back, easy to install but was on a Mk2 GTI.
Fuel consumption improved after replacing it & around 130,000km. VW recommended changing @ 70,000km.

[Jmac]

Not too difficult on ANY car to test if you can read live data. Older stuff that didnt involve a broadband/wideband sensor you could read the o2 sensor with a decent multimeter. Ill speak as if we are looking at current day stuff, read live data with a good scanner or ideally VCDS if we are talking VAG. Clamp off the return line if available and watch it go rich if it has non return then spray some carby cleaner into the intake tube, the 02 sensor should react instantly, same goes if you pull off a vac line watch it lean , this too should happen very quickly, if it doesnt or is slow then the 02 sensor is suss. After 100ks its almost a serviceable item, i know in the UK now some VWs get a coolant temp sensor at a 60k which to me makes perfect sense, same as an 02 sensor pretty much the forward one as this is the control one. The aft one reads cat efficieny. Could go a lot further with this one
Cheers
Jmac