Guys, my car is at the stealership for a 30k service. On the way over there, the CEL came on, no problem I thought, I am going to the service center... Anyway, the reading shows a bad o2 sensor, but they cannot repair/replace or confirm the error because I have a custom exhaust... headers, high flow cats, mufflers.

They recommend replacing all parts to OEM and run it stock to get rid of the code. I recommended they check in to the local psych ward. Since they cannot guarantee any results, my dilema is, should I just pay them to replace the o2s and risk the light coming back on? Should I shell out the money to replace the cats that they think are bad and replace o2s?

I don't want to restrict my system, as it is full exhaust, intake, and programmed. I also don't want to spend 3k dollars for a meaningless CEL. Otherwise, I can clear it myself and ignore it for as long as possible, but what is the downfall of running with bad o2 sensors.

I need to pick it up tomorrow or I need to tell them to repair it, i will be trying the other boards as well.

 

I suggest you get a scanner if you do not already have one and take a look at what codes are being generated. You can then move on from there. Or you can go to an Autozone and have the codes read.

 

I am probably going to buy the Durametric Software from one of the site sponsors: http://www.durametric.com/ This is a Porsche specific diagnostic tool that can accurately read the codes and give you the probable causes. it's $250 and can read and reset codes if my memory serves me correctly. My .02

HC

 

This may be in your budget as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...3286.m14.l1318

Little pricey for my taste, but if anyone has a shop then it's a deal!

TDK

 

A code reader does help with some of the diagnostic detective work. I bought one for my track car to keep tabs on different data as it can do real time diagnostics. I had a CEL come on and I plugged it in and it gave me the error code. I was able to source a new MAF online for half of what the dealer wanted for the part.

I swapped it out and the savings with taking it to a dealer or indy paid for the reader.

Bill P.

 

I actually have one, but where I work and the dealership is 30 miles from where I live, so I just dropped it off. If I would have known the ridiculous price I was going to be charged to read it, I would have left.

 

o2 sensors are easy to replace - unplug, unscrew, then install the new ones. Why not just replace and see what happens.

I don't know if the engine computer would have to be reset or not, you might replace them and unplug the battery while doing so.