Have been getting some quotes today to replace my front exhaust downpipe, which has a knackered flexi. The local branch of one of the big chains wants to order in a new lambda sensor, in case the old one won't come out of the downpipe without damage. This has made me nervous, because I suspect the ordering-in of the part makes it 99% likely that they'll find a reason to fit it, and charge me an extra £90. Has anyone ever had any problems removing the lambda sensor?

Oh, and my attempts to find a local garage willing to just replace the knackered flexi have failed dismally. Nobody in these parts seems to want to take that job on. So I'll have to stump up for a new downpipe ... and the best quote can get locally is £140

Hi I've had no trouble removing lambda sensor,unplug it at the rear of engine,slide a ring spanner down the cable over the nut and twist.try it yourself and you will know they are trying it on.I had my flexy replaced last year as I couldn't get under the car to do the job.I think the part was thirty odd pound and the garage I use charges thirty five plus vat an hour.its a simple job.don't forget gaskets like I did:bang:

Cheers, biscotti - do you remember where you got the flexi from?

Apparently the gasket between the downpipe and the cat is becoming difficult to source. One of the big exhaust chains said their normal supplier couldn't supply one, so I'd have to source one myself if I wanted them to do the job. I rang my local dealer, who said that that gasket is no longer available from Fiat either. The same gasket is used on some Puntos (not just the 1.8) so it's a bit surprising that Fiat can no longer supply them.

The garage got mine for me from gmf motorfactors and the flexi pipe from ebay.i can try and look at my ebay history later to find the seller