Blanco1

Ok
so last week I got into a sweet 1998 3.2 TL

I thought I would be safe and take it to the dealership for the 105k service.
WHen it was in there they started piling the shit on and my bill was alot more then I wanted to pay, so i told them not to do it and took it to a local shop. Between the day I got it back from Acura (after the 105k service) and the day I had an appointment to take it in for the timing belt... the check engine light came on. I figured the shop would look at it and fix it.... turns out the diagnostic is saying the car is running too lean and has a problem with the sensors (o2) 2 of them have been replaced by the previous owner both within a year!!!

So now this guy is telling me theres nothin he can do after 6 months... and replacing all 3 (who needs freaken 3?!@@!?) would be $1000+

Doing this will put my total money into the car AFTER purchase over $3000!!!!!

can i get o2 sensors for cheaper? is it possible?/easy to do myself?

should i punch someone in the face ????

Go90go

O2 sensors should only run about $100-$150 a piece.
You ONLY paid $3000?! For a '98?! 3.2 to boot?! THAT'S RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP!!

~Cheers~

Blanco1

haha yeah that would be a great deal!
No i was saying i have paid over 3k in repairs after i bought the car! (little below blue book)

Your car got a 15.5 quarter? thats fast! what do you have done to your whip?

Yeah I found Bosch and other brand O2 sensors on ebay for like less then a $100
are they hard to DIY???

Go90go

15.5 was in January, I should be closer to 15.0 now with not-bald tyres/lighter rims and a better track. I'm heading up to Infineon Raceway in March to see what else I can do. I've also got a tiny exhaust leak that's bugging the hell out of me, and a BHG that I'm trying to decide whether or not to fix.

Anyhow, even at the dealer, they're pretty close to the eBay prices, so I think that the shop you went to is trying to rip you a new one. O2 sensors are easy to replace if you get the exact same model/thread/etc. If you get a universal one that has the same thread but different wires, you'd have to splice them into your stock o2 sensors' harness'.

~Cheers~

01tl4tl

Have to ask

Did you have this car inspected by a professional mechanic before purchase?

Even with the extra investment you have made, the TL is a car you will love for years and nothing else in its price range and fun level around!

Blanco1

Ok so I was TOO trusting
I got the car from a 35 year old women that works at a bank and this car was her commuter for 6 years.. She had every record of service and repair... I carfaxed it and test drove it...

THe shit that i had fixed werent CRITICAL... i probably could have just driven it for a while without any issues... its just my personality to get it checked out and fix a little issue before it becomes a BIG one.. I had a lot of the belts and sensors replaced....

I didnt buy a lemon and even if i took it to a mechanic they prob would have told me no major issues with the engine or tranny.

On another note..
I have been told to try primium chevron gas to see if my O2 sensor saying im running too lean will be corrected. I put in 76 medium grade when the light came on.....
My friend told me to put an octane booster in it and take it up to the pass and back to clear out the fuel injector and stuff.... anyone have similar experiences or any suggestions?

01tl4tl

OK
Now that we have a better understanding, I had a similar story, one lady owner, maintained and a month after I got it- ptttttttt went the transmission-
thanks Acura Warranty or the freebie!

It will surely help you to read the 2nd gen thread called -Seafoamed the ol TL -and buy 2 cans of seafoam.
Stick one in the tank and it will boost the octane for you and always run 91 or 93 depending on your area.

Then follow the directions for cleaning the intake system thru the vac tube.
The car is probably loaded up with carbon and needs a good clean out as you suspected.

Enjoy!

01tl4tl

And to answer the original question of this thread

The O2 sensors job is to read the mix coming past it in the exhaust.
The computer takes the numbers and decides to add or subtract fuel flow into the engine.

Overheating- custom exhaust- can wear sensors out, and on regular cars -every 60 thou or so you would replace it/them for maximum efficiency. So our cars go a lot farther than most, and the good old Bosch direct plug in replacements are easy to find.

So a bad O2 sensor will give false reading and confuse the computer
result is bad mileage bad performance

Blanco1

Ouch! about the tranny.. hope mine wont do that

thanks for the advice too..

ill check out the seafoam thing. and is there a thread on cleaning the intake?
Im going to see if doing these other options will fix the problem.. if not ill have to replace the o2 sensors.. but im thinkin about doing it myself

01tl4tl

The thread title is Seafoamed the ol TL just scroll down the 2nd gen forum list and its right there 9 pages long the stuff is the same product used in the 99$ dealer fuel injection service machine.
Its 6 to 8 bucks a can- so get 2 One can in the gas tank will really clean the whole injection system.
Acura says every 30k it should be done by them.

Very easy DIY project and will clean the injectors, valves and piston tops
then take it on that mountain run to really clean it out

If you have room in the tank- fill it with the higher grade gas now

Your '98 should be free of the trans probs the 00-03 cars have

Go to the parts store now- the Zone- kragen -anywhere and everywhere carries this stuff, white can Seafoam
post results here

01tl4tl

And there is a TEST for the O2 sensors they run on electrical limits. Measure and know.
You can also remove them and visually inspect- pretreat with penetrating oil,
if black, replace,
grey probably ok,
clogged ports- replace

And some parts stores let you return them if not the problem

Blanco1

Thank you very much for your help 01tl4tl
this site is great! and i really appreciate your input and advice Im going to do the seafoam thing this weekend and will be sure to post the results here.

tlw

I replaced my #2 O2 sensor with a $68 Bosch universal sensor, it has been fine. It was a pain in the butt taking out the battery and heat shields to get to it, and you need a special socket to do it easily - but I didn't want to pay $200+ for the acura part

Blanco1

My gear had friend suggested i use racing fuel to try to clear out the fuel injectors since the O2 reading said my car was running "lean"
I ran chevron with techron for 2 tanks and on one of the tanks i put a octane booster in it.
The check engine light turned off! and my gas milage is a 1/4 better!!!!!!

I will still do the seafoam treatment then we will hopefully see a HUGE difference
i gotta get to it before it sells off the shelves though

jtchener

1998 3.2 TL, 69K miles -- I'm also having a problem with an O2 sensor, but I'm not sure if it's the exact same as the one you're talking about...

a scan test gave me a code P0141 -- O2 Heater Circuit.

can anyone help me here? is that the same thing? any thoughts/advice are appreciated. thanks.

tlw

From the DTC Guide for 3.2:
P0141 (65)
Secondary Heated Oxygen
Sensor Heater
Circuit Malfunction
(Sensor 2)
Open or short in Secondary H02S
(Sensor 2) heater circuit
PCM

the secondary O2 sensor is plugged into the rear part of the Cat.

teekay3001

where is "Bank 1 sensor 2" oxygen sensor located on a 3.2TL