Technical How much is a lamba sensor and how long should it take to fit?

[just wondering]

My warning light has been reset a couple of times, each time the lamba sensor has been the issue, I am finally going to take it to be replaced... But I might sources my own lamba sensor and ask the garage to fit it for me... What is the average fitting time and how much is a lamba sensor please?

 

[LukeEssex]

My warning light has been reset a couple of times, each time the lamba sensor has been the issue, I am finally going to take it to be replaced... But I might sources my own lamba sensor and ask the garage to fit it for me... What is the average fitting time and how much is a lamba sensor please?

morning

lambda sensor from a breaker about 5-10 pound or look on ebay ?
and about 10mins-20mins prop not even that to fit,

thats if you do it

 

[Ziggy122]

If its removable then 10mins

If its rotted in, alot more as they may have todo some welding work to allow them to refit a new sensor

Aloy of heat is your friend here
When refitting put a little copper slip on threada to possibly help stop it recoroding in
But it may just burn the grease off

Zigy

 

[just wondering]

Thank you for your advice , i have spoken with the garage , he said around £10.00 - 20.00 depending if its a bit of a chore to take off.

One thing i have been looking on ebay , my budget really is for a used one , i have seen the ones with the 3 wires , but the garage has asked me to supply the part with the plug on....which is fair enough.

But can anyone recommend a place that can supply a new one for a mk2 16v automatic petrol for around 25- 30.....on can point me towards one on ebay...

Thank you all.

 

[a1ant]

Hi,

Try Euro Car Parts, GSF Car parts. Alot of people on here recommend somewhere called Euro Car Care. Havent used them myself but people on here rate them!

I think you'll be looking more at £30 - £40 for one that isnt rubbish.

Alan

 

[Eklipze3k]

http://www.eurocarcare.net/fuel-management/ecc46455802-lambda-sensor.html

If you call and speak to Big Mick and tell him you heard about them through FiatForum, he may do you discount

 

[fingers99]

Most of the Mk2s have 2 lambdas. Make sure you're replacing the right one!

 

[puntonew]

Unless its seized onto the manifold, surely replacing a lamda sensor yourself is one of the very easiest DIY tasks

But as said, mk2's including my own, have 2 lamda sensors, which i believe are identical , so need to be sure which one is faulty....

 

[Ziggy122]

Unless its seized onto the manifold, surely replacing a lamda sensor yourself is one of the very easiest DIY tasks

But as said, mk2's including my own, have 2 lamda sensors, which i believe are identical , so need to be sure which one is faulty....

yes the sensors are identical
One is before the cat
And one is after the cat

You may find the Pre-cat sensor is easier to remove, as it doesn't get attacked as much by road grime

But the Post cat sits on the downpipe, under attack from road salts, grime water as well as been in a Hot / cold mixture

When i remove sensors - i tend to wire wheel the threads clean, it helps refitting and helps clean the exhausts threads as well

Ziggy

 

[just wondering]

Thank you all for the excellent advice.

I was wondering, will the garages diagnostic equipment be able to detect which one of the two lambda sensors has a fault, indeed it maybe both etc.

Is it possible to fix the lambda sensors by taking them off and cleaning them both?

 

[atom0007]

I've read that cleaning is not possible, I've never tried it.

The code will distinguish between the 2 sensors.

Pair from the scrapyard is a good idea. I've got 2 for £ 30 before. Plus it lets you get a feel for how tight they can be.

You can get a special tool for removing, but I've found a decent fit (does not necessarily equate to cost) spanner works fine.

Edit: you can apparently check hem by heating the, up with a blowtorch. But at that point you're as well using software to monitor the live output from the obd port

 

[LukeEssex]

Thank you all for the excellent advice.

I was wondering, will the garages diagnostic equipment be able to detect which one of the two lambda sensors has a fault, indeed it maybe both etc.

Is it possible to fix the lambda sensors by taking them off and cleaning them both?

hey
yeah it should detect it but i have forgot the codes sorry and you can try cleaning then to get the black soot off them if there is black soot on them

 

[Ziggy122]

hey
yeah it should detect it but i have forgot the codes sorry and you can try cleaning then to get the black soot off them if there is black soot on them

No point cleaning the soot off the outside, unless its blocking the little holes on it for the sensor part inside

You cant physically clean the sensor, only the ""housing"" as such

Wouldnt want to be spraying anything on it tho - dont what it might do to the sensor

Ziggy