Noob with a question,

Replaced factory O2 sensor under warranty on my 2003 RSX Automatic in 2006, now that one has gone bad, but instead of lasting three years, this one has lasted only 1 year. Getting a bad batch of O2 sensors would make sense, if, everyone else had a defective sensor as well, which is not the case. The replacement last less miles on it than the original (10,000 miles and only 1 year old) and the dealer has no idea what is causing the oxygen sensors to go bad.

Did some searching and couldn't find what would causes an O2 to malfunction/die that fast, dealer blames it on not using premium fuel, but the base edition doesn't require premium so I pulled the BS flag on them, if the car requires premium, ACURA would state that. Good gas has always been put in the car (big assumption I know).

Engine light came on both times when the O2 started to go bad.

Thanks in advance for the replies.
Seahawk02

 

The dealer needs to check deeper: check wiring harness, connectors, and the powertrain control unit. Oxygen sensos are as relieable as bolts. This is likely a heated device and it is possible the heat control is malfunctioning. The dealer should know exactly how this system works and what all of its failure modes are.


You are just going to have to keep at them till the do the job right.


Good Luck

 

Agree & thanks for the help. Last time the dealer "fixed" the problem, they simply replaced the sensor, after they reset the car's computer and moved on.

It is a heated device as you said and I'll take this with me when I return. Hopefully a little help might assist them in trouble shooting. At $200 for an oxygen sensor, I really don't want to be doing this every 2 years or so. That's garbage. My van has 150,000 miles on the factory O2 sensor.

 

I had a Nissan pickup that went 235K before death with the original heated sensor, my Legend has 185K on the original sensors, my corolla has 61K on its sensor. I had a 93 T-bird that both sensors required replacement before 160K miles, but hey what does one expect from autolite products!

 

<H3>The normal aging process will eventually cause the oxygen sensor to fail. However, the sensor may also fail prematurely if it becomes contaminated with lead from leaded gasoline, phosphorus from excessive oil consumption or silicone from internal coolant leaks or using silicone sprays or gasket sealers on the engine. Environmental factors such as road splash, salt, oil and dirt can also cause a sensor to fail, as can mechanical stress or mishandling.</H3>


Found on the web as well. Not sure if this is the case, no excessive oil consumption, but I wonder if having them check for a coolant leak would be wise as well. No silicone spray or gasket sealers should have been used on teh engine.

 

The coolent leak was the reason provided to explain my T-Birds failed O2 Sensors. And it did leak, blowing the head gaskets right and left more than once. To be fair, the blown head gaskets were probably my fault for not having the cooling system serviced reqularly.

 

These things sometimes just go. The o2 sensor on your car is right at the bottom of the car and can get banged around by rocks and what not. Right now it might not be a wise use of your money to send a tech on a wild goose chase.

 

wiring faults within the heater circuit, outside of the sensor will
code as well. if that sensor see's 5v instead of .01-.99 that
comp will bitch.



the above comments are awsome guys right to the point and very accurate.



resealing internal engine parts with a NON o2 safe sealer can do this.

but mose sealers now days are o2 safe expecially if a dealer is doing the repairs.



good luck on this 1. (p.s.) the oxygen sensors we sell at scott's have a 1 year no milage warranty on them.

 

Ended up being just that. No other problems, shop boss even looked at himself to be sure because of the redundant problem. Thumbs up for Acura Service.

 

well darn i hate things that go bad for no real reason.

but that can happen too.

(the advantage of new parts with warrentys)