OXYGEN SENSOR rip off

[John Robertson]

My 740 TURBO 1990 has been using a bit much gas of late so I went through
the obvious bits even worked out the little code box display .
Sure enough the oxygen sensor was shot .1-2-1 on the reading though other
than strong smell of an over rich mixture you wouldn't have known it .
So how much was it going to cost me .$185.00 US in an IPD mag.Or $185 AU
from a Volvo parts retailer (not official).Bilia $AU498.00 plus
labour of $ AU 120.00 for 1 to 1.1/4 hours labour equalling $AU 618 .00 hard
earned dollars .After removing the oil filter it took me 7 minutes
with an open ended spanner to remove the old unit (clogged up )and 5minutes
to put the new sensor in .I used a NGK unit which was complete
with harness no cutting or crimping ,so if fine now for $AU 97.50 saving me
$AU 520.50 .I couldn't afford to drive a
Volvo if I had to pay that sort of money .As its just after xmas my Volvo
guys are away still but they charged $AU 70.00 for labour
and $AU 5.50 for incidentals ,I guess that means joining the wires on a non
complete loom .That was about 18 months ago on my wifes car .
Unfortunately I cant recall how much the sensor was .

 

[John Horner]

I used a NGK unit which was complete
with harness no cutting or crimping ,so if fine now for $AU 97.50 saving me
$AU 520.50 .

I do almost all of the work on our cars and a bit on the vehicles of
several friends in part because I enjoy it, but also because the cost
for getting thinks fixed "professionally" has gone over the top.

Often when I do have a "pro" work on the car I end up having to go back
and fix their shoddy workmanship.

John

 

[AJS]

Volvo if I had to pay that sort of money .As its just after xmas my Volvo
guys are away still but they charged $AU 70.00 for labour
and $AU 5.50 for incidentals ,

You think it's different with any other brand? Even then, some dealers are
suspect and some exceptional. Then you have the parts inventory and storage
which has to be paid for. Volvo OEM parts are generally high quality and
many of them really are not that expensive (comparatively). I recently did
my O2 sensor. I went for a direct replacement (same specs not just fittings)
NGK. I was going bosch but there was a wait of a month or two. Luckily there
was an NGK one available but stocks were limited. So had I needed one NOW I
would have known where to get one. All of which costs money.


AJS

 

[John Robertson]

No I am aware of the Auto industry as I drove commercially for a living
,millions of Klms later yes I figure I know a bit as I paid the bills , but
$498 and $120 for fitting Vs $ 97.50 for a NGK complete unit and a few
minutes fitting it with an open ended spanner =RIP OFF .Did my sensors for
the front brakes today and found bits of metal on the magnetic pulse unit
..Simple Job wonder what I would be up for at a dealer .EG one set of
Bilsteins front ,brakes all round (Lucas)and oxy sensor NGK and hate to
admit it but Bosch 4 point plugs .I would have to take out a bank loan for
labour
Thats all Aussie Dollars btw .

 

[Rusty]

You can use Bosch Part Number: 13913 works perfectly and is MUCH cheaper
than the OEM models. Around 35$ US, from the usual outlets.

RS