Cost of replacing oxygen sensors in 1997 Outback?

[ThosL]

I want to pass emissions which is due for me in a couple weeks, so was thinking replacing the 02 sensors in the front of the 97 2.5 was going to be necessary.  I have a local guy who will install parts like this, what is labor on this, 1 hour or so?

[1 Lucky Texan]

trouble-shooting to clear a code isn't always as easy as replacing w'ever sensor/part is mentioned in the DTC's definition.

 

if he has little/no trouble removing them, labor should minimal - but those parts are kinda pricey to replace unless you are certain they are the cause of poor emissions/perfomance.

 

call 2-3 shops and ask - they do enough that they will likely be within 10% of actual charges.

[Rooster2]

I bought an 02 sensor for my 99 OBW couple of months back from Advance Auto Parts on line. Cost was $78.99 less on line coupon discount of $23.70, so final cost was $59.16. Product purchased was a Bosch unit #19370051. Also show a number of 13702.

 

It is a nasty job to swap out. Need a lift for sure, and special 02 socket for a driver. I took my car to a muffler shop to have the swap out. Cost me about $30. Money well spent. My car definitely runs a lot better, and erased the CEL code.

[vasy]

I bought an 02 sensor for my 99 OBW couple of months back from Advance Auto Parts on line. Cost was $78.99 less on line coupon discount of $23.70, so final cost was $59.16. Product purchased was a Bosch unit #19370051. Also show a number of 13702.

 

It is a nasty job to swap out. Need a lift for sure, and special 02 socket for a driver. I took my car to a muffler shop to have the swap out. Cost me about $30. Money well spent. My car definitely runs a lot better, and erased the CEL code.

What was your CEL code?

[Rooster2]

What was your CEL code?

Don't remember the code number, but do remember that the code specified the front 02 sensor as being bad. It is the one that screws into the front of the cat converter.

[shoebee2]

I was at the local youpullit yard looking for a purge solinoid. The lob wreck looked pretty good underneath so While I was at it I pulled the front and rear o2, cam and crank sensors and the coolest sensors because.......well........because they all looked pretty near new.

They charged me 10 bucks for the the both o2 sensors. 5 dollars each for all of them actually.

Now if I knew for sure I needed an o2 I'd still roll the dice with. 5 dollar wrecking yard part before I'd spend $80.00 on a new one. That's 75.00 worth of beer or only 5.00 worth of ah spoob.

[matt167]

If you watch live data on a scanner, you should be able to determin if your sensor is bad or not. Could also be a vac leak or mechanical issue, or even the rear O2 sensor operating out of range, it can trigger a code for front o2

[ThosL]

I just went to Auto Zone;  their computer reader came up with P400  and P420; apparently EGR and Cat. converter or similar cause.  I'm thinking the economical way to address the first is at a junk yard for parts as $160 is a lot, and the other really needs to be nailed down as to whether oxygen sensor would fix it.