What is the appropriate move?

I have a recurrent CEL P0030 and P0135, both seem to be related to the heater control on the forward drivers side O2 sensor. It's been many years since the sensors were replaced.

Indy is recommending that I replace all four sensors instead of just the one that is giving me an error and while I'm at it, to do the plugs and coils as those are due to be done in 10,000 miles.

I'm tempted to just do the single sensor but I don't know how much work is required to get to that sensor versus all of them. I'll do them all if it's the best idea and worth it labour wise.

Does it make sense to do them all? Are they that close to the coils and plugs that I should do those a years worth of driving sooner than they're due?

 

replace all. theyre too cheap not to, and if you dont know if pre or posts HAVE ever been changed?? just do all of em. my advice.

 

How many miles on the car?

 

50k miles

and I hear you about the cost but Im in Canada - Itll cost about $1500 all in to do the 4 sensors alone. Parts are about $1000

 

With only 50k miles on the car I would replace just the bad sensor. If your mechanic is any good he/she should be able to swap it out in an hour or so without removing the bumper cover or much else. If problems persist then I would move on to a full tune up.

 

We are over 10 years on this platform.. Rain, corrosion, boost leaks and so on..

I'd replace the wideband PreCat O2's in pairs (not single sensors for the widebands).. The Post O2's will usually be good till 80K plus.. However, if they get dropped or have ever had leaded fuel, or a turbocharger failure including and oil overfill>> the sensors are cheap when compared to the labor you have to pay to go and change them "again"

I would also pressure test your intake system.

Reset your throttle-body and if you haven't had a new MAF in 4 to 5 years.. I'd replace it with a Genuine Bosch in the sealed box.

Plugs also need to be mentioned "IF" they have over 18K miles on the (tuned ECU)..

 

Thanks to everyone!

I have more than 18k miles on the current plugs, does that mean that the appropriate thing is to do all 4 sensors, plugs and coils? New MAF a year ago.

And pressure test the intake system?

 

+1 for replacing O2's in pre and post cat sets...
I might have a good used pre-cat O2 sensor if you want it...but really would suggest doing both pre-cats O2's with new Bosch...
Cheers,

 

Sensors can go bad at any time. While 50K miles is not that many miles that one is signaling it is on its way out -- or is out -- I'd replace all 4.

In Jan. 2015 I faced a similar situation with an O2 sensor CEL. I forget the error code but it pointed to a problem with one of the #1 sensors and its heating circuit. I drove the car from Barstow to Livermore and once to Livemore I had all 4 sensors replaced. The car had 132K miles on it.

Might add that while I have had the plugs changed in the past with my Turbo the engine never manifested any change for better (or worse) afterwards.

But after the 4 new O2 sensors were installed the engine did run a bit better. Not lots but there was some noticable improvement.

 

I think Kevin is saying that if your car has a tune then yes the plugs could be worn out at 18,000 miles. But if your car does not have a tune the plugs should last 30,000 miles easily. At least they do on my car.

I still say you should start by replacing just the one sensor you think is bad first, just to get a baseline to build off of.