Oxygen Sensor Replacement Cost

The beauty of a car is not just skin deep or paint deep if you want to call it! You can appreciate the beauty of design even better if you understand the working of its complex internal mechanism. Many car parts centered on the car engine, work together to make a smooth drive possible for you. If the engine is the heart of a car, its brain is the engine control unit (ECU), which is a mini computer that controls its working. For the brain of the car to function, it needs feedback about the current status of the car's engine and other subsidiary systems. This information is provided by feedback devices like the oxygen sensor. If your car problem has been diagnosed to be the failure of this sensor, then you might want to know what is the oxygen sensor replacement cost.

Oxygen Sensor Function

The purpose of oxygen sensor installation is to detect the levels of oxygen in the exhaust gases to calibrate the air to fuel ration accordingly, for optimum engine performance. From the quantity of oxygen in the exhaust, one can determine whether the fuel mixture is rich or lean.

It is one of the important feedback components of electronic fuel injection systems in modern cars which makes emission control possible. The air to fuel ratio is adjusted according to the signal received from the oxygen sensor. When this sensor malfunctions, engine problems may occur. That's why, it is essential that one deals with oxygen sensor problems, as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a Bad Oxygen Sensor

If the oxygen sensors fail, engine efficiency takes a severe hit. Knowledge of the symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor, will help you know when to replace them. One of the prime bad oxygen sensor symptoms is a pronounced drop in the mileage of your car engine. Besides this, you will notice that the engine fails periodically and delivers an erratic performance. If you notice any of these signs of a bad oxygen sensor, it is time to get it replaced.

Oxygen Sensor Replacement Cost Estimate

The cost of an oxygen sensor will depend on the make of your car. Check out the car manual for exact details regarding the type of oxygen sensor that your car needs. The cost will have two prime components. One would be the cost of the sensor itself and second is the labor charges for replacement. You can check out the cost of oxygen sensors on the Internet by searching for Expert mechanics recommend a replacement every 100,000 miles. Periodic oxygen sensor testing is recommended. Some car models have more than one oxygen sensor. The cost of an oxygen sensor, depending on the car model will cost you anywhere between $40 to $150. Add to it, an additional $60 to $100 as labor charges and you can expect the total cost to be $100 to $250.

You could save on the cost by pulling off the whole car repair job on your own, provided you possess the requisite technical expertise. However, it is best to leave the job to a expert car mechanic, who knows his way around the car interiors, and pay him reasonably for a job well done!