New O2 sensors flatlined

[danielg9]

03 1.8, auto Vibe. Any ideas why two new Bosch O2 sensors type 1 and 2 only lasted a week. The check engine light wasout for about a week then came on. Put the car on a scope and it showed both sensors flatlined. Thanks Dan

[ou.grizzly]

Stick with OEM O2 Sensors.What were the codes you were throwing?

[danielg9]

Thanks for the suggestion original equipment. the code we get is po171. Both sensors are registering 0 performance.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by danielg9 »03 1.8, auto Vibe. Any ideas why two new Bosch O2 sensors type 1 and 2 only lasted a week. The check engine light wasout for about a week then came on. Put the car on a scope and it showed both sensors flatlined.Are you sure the sensors were working correctly initially? Some codes will take some time (or number of cycles) to come back on after a reset.

[Raven]

If the sensors are dead I would think you'd get: PO134 O2 sensor circuit no activity detected (bank 1 sensor1) PO154 "................................................." (bank 2 sensor1)PO171 is system too lean bank 1

[danielg9]

Not sure if they were working correctly. Car ran with the cel off for a week or so after we installed the Bosch sensors. Then it came on for a few days and then went off for a few days and has been on now for a couple of weeks. Took it back to my buddy who has a scope and it showed both sensors at 0. Car running ok but a little rough at idle in drive but not all the time. It has been cold so my miliage is down a little but no other problems. Pontiac wants $460 for the set of O2 sensors. Toyota can't figure out which part number without the number off the original equipment. Won't throw away orignal equip again. Just about ready to pop for new ones.

[realsmith]

My check eng. light is on. Scan came back O2 sensor defective. My mechanic who is shop foreman at Buick,Pontiac,GMC said you need to replace intake manifold gasket to fix the problem with oxygen sensors going bad. The gaskets are going bad thus causing the O2 sensors to die. His shop went through 20 of them last week.

[Sublimewind]

A friend of mine is a professional mechanic... He says he wouldn't use Bosch ANYTHING as a replacement to ANYTHING... Sure they are an OEM, but that doesn't make them good... Look at Denso as a replacement if you don't want to pay stealership prices..

[danielg9]

Thanks for the infor on the gasket problem. Can you find out what codes they were getting to tell them to replace the gasket?Also any problems with intake manefold cracking which could cause the same problem?The only code I get is po171. I don't want to burn up the new sensors at $230 each but the gasket replacement is pricey too. Thanks,Dan

[Sublimewind]

230$ EACH.... holy moly... The last time I did an O2 sensor, on a different vehical mind you, they were 75$ each... did you shop around? online?

[2002sportside]

Quote, originally posted by danielg9 »Thanks for the infor on the gasket problem. Can you find out what codes they were getting to tell them to replace the gasket?Also any problems with intake manefold cracking which could cause the same problem?The only code I get is po171. I don't want to burn up the new sensors at $230 each but the gasket replacement is pricey too. Thanks,DanP0171 is the main one pointing to the IM gasket. May also have a P0300, P030#, or a P0133. The gasket (Toyota PN 17171-22060) lists for $5.56 and is pretty easy to change...Toyota O2 sensors list for $129/145 each ($98/110 online)... But if all you get is P0171, I'd check for an intake leak before changing them.

[danielg9]

I found the Bosch sensors for $75 and $110 but they didn't last and most folks say go with the original equipment so Pontiac get $230 each.

[2002sportside]

Quote, originally posted by danielg9 »I found the Bosch sensors for $75 and $110 but they didn't last and most folks say go with the original equipment so Pontiac get $230 each.GMPartsdirect.com has them for $116 and $119. And Toyota parts would be original, they're just marked WAY up before you get them from Pontiac...Never buy anything from a dealer, they made the internet for a reason...

[danielg9]

Thanks, I'll check for the leak next. Toyota said they couldn't find the part number for the Vibe sensor. The can't cross reference the the GM part number of the sensors from Pontiac. The only way was to give them the original number off the original Vibe sensor. Unfortunatly I threw them out when I replaced them with Bosch. Any ideas how to cross reference from a Pontiac GM # to Toyota? I would have bought them from Toyota but couldn't figure out the right one. At this point the Bosch sensors are both reading 0 so I assume they are dead. I could return the Pontiac sensors and order Toyota if I could figure out which one.Thanks, Dan

[2002sportside]

That's the problem with Toyota dealers, they don't know what they're doing. When you go in, you need to tell them you have a Matrix (or Corolla if its a part used on all three models) with an 'R' vin code - that's a 1zz. They don't know how to look it up just by engine model.Or you could go online to a site like Toyota World and find them in the catalog (Electrical, powertrain control, oxygen sensors).I doubt Pontiac will take them back if you already bought them, they're an electrical part.

[danielg9]

Thanks, I haven't picked them up at the Pontiac but they did have to order them in. Went to the Toyota parts site. It asks w or w/o xrs. Can you tell me what xrs stands for? Thanks Dan

[2002sportside]

XRS = Vibe GT

[danielg9]

Thanks

[danielg9]

My neighborhood mech has a friend at Pontiac who told him they have replaced a lot of intake manifolds gaskets on the Vibe. I'm going to replace the gasket. And order in the 02 sensors. Let you know what happens.

[2002sportside]

I saw the Toyota TSB for it, when I place my order with Toyota World, I'm ordering the intake gasket. It's $4 and change, but may be on back order... For that price, I'm just going to do it before it leaks. My luck it will be 10* out when it goes if I wait.

[NibCrom]

Is there a thread on replacing the intake manifold gasket?

[NibCrom]

Bump.I did a search but still can't find anything about how to replace the intake manifold gasket. Anyone know how to do it?

[2002sportside]

The easy way? This is a quick how-to, from memory, put together from reading threads on 9thgen, MO, and here...1. Disconnect negative battery cable.2. Remove the engine cover.3. Remove the intake tube. (including anything attached that is in your way, but you really only need it out of the way)4. Remove the throttle body (4 bolts)5. Move TB out of the way.6. Remove intake maniold (5bolts?)7. Replace gasket.8. Reverse...The reason for removing the throttle body at all is so you don't have to deal with the coolant bypass hoses. Just let it hang off of them or use a piece of wire.Again, I haven't done the intake gasket on a 1zz yet, but it should be a very quick job... Once my gasket gets here and it warms up, I'll do a full how-to...

[NibCrom]

Cool, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[specialbuddy]

My car has been giving a p0133 error. I have an 04 AWD version and the O2 sensor is on or near the exhaust manifold. Has anyone taken one of these out? The original equipment is about 140(179 for the Bosch version at Autozone) Should I try to replace this myself?

[THE VIBERATOR]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »A friend of mine is a professional mechanic... He says he wouldn't use Bosch ANYTHING as a replacement to ANYTHING... Sure they are an OEM, but that doesn't make them good... Look at Denso as a replacement if you don't want to pay stealership prices.. I replaced my stock spark plugs the day i got the car 2 years ago with Bosch +4 Iridiums and I still have those same set of plugs in the car, and have never had a problem. But that's just me...lol

[2002sportside]

Shop a little and get the gasket from Toyota, $4.23 plus shipping. I had to wait a week for them to get it in though, it's still on national backorder. There are a lot of affected cars out there...

[2002sportside]

Hopefully the gasket is a better design than the original OEM was. That was the biggest reason for going with the Toyota gasket, it's a redesigned part. Most of the time FelPro has as good or better than OEM, but I wasn't taking a chance this time.And Toyota World has very reasonable shipping, unlike some GM parts suppliers. Rockauto has some good prices, but I thought their shipping was insane ($14 for two gaskets?)...

[2002sportside]

That's the odd part about the gaskets, turbo 1zz's don't seem to really have a problem with them. It'(removed) or miss with the gaskets failing. I believe the new one is thicker, but I haven't done mine yet - it only came in yesterday.I would imagine the gasket on a 2zz is metal, but a common practice is to use a plastic gasket (like a Hondata Heatshield) to alleviate heat soaking the intake manifold. They are proven to lower intake temps... With a plastic IM, that isn't a problem. I wonder if the metal gasket would have caused problems with a plastic manifold though. We do know the original gaskets did. The replacement gasket is more of an orange, I believe the original is black. They may have changed the compound used.Off topic, but on the point of Felpro's gaskets - if you do a header on the Vibe, make sure you pick up Felpro #61106. It's about $50 less than an OEM gasket and is a much better design.

[mspalmer]

I got my intake manifold gasket replaced about a month ago due to a CEL that I threw on the way home from work. So far, so good after it was replaced. It took about 10 days for my Pontiac dealer to get the part.mike

[danielg9]

Hey Guys,The saga of the oxygen sensors and CEL goes on.Here is a summery of the last couple of months.03 Vibe Base, 1.8, automatic1.CEL on, PL 171, sensors slow on scope2.Replaces sensors (Bosch) CEL off for a weeks or so3.CEL back on, no code both sensors dead4.Replaced intake manifold, old one looked ok5.Replaced sensors again with (Toyota OE)6.CEL off for a week or so7.CEL back on, check, no code, both sensors dead8.During check the sensors both started working normally don’t know what we did9.Drive off for 10 minutes and CEL back on10.3 or 4 days later the CEL goes off11.3 or 4 days later it comes back on12.3 or 4 days later it goes off13.3 or 4 days later it comes on14.Car seems to be running well and gas mileage is okThe CEL light went off while driving on the highway both times from the mountains from 6000 ft to 3500 feet elevation. Weather has changed around here, Typical Montana 65 degrees one day 20 the next.My mech thinks maybe a bad ground wire some where. I'll spend some time checking them. Don't have a current code but 171 is the only one we have ever gotten.Thanks, Dan

[danielg9]

Forgot, I cleaned the MAF

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by danielg9 »Hey Guys,The saga of the oxygen sensors and CEL goes on.Here is a summery of the last couple of months.03 Vibe Base, 1.8, automatic1.CEL on, PL 171, sensors slow on scope2.Replaces sensors (Bosch) CEL off for a weeks or so3.CEL back on, no code both sensors dead4.Replaced intake manifold, old one looked ok5.Replaced sensors again with (Toyota OE)6.CEL off for a week or so7.CEL back on, check, no code, both sensors dead8.During check the sensors both started working normally don’t know what we did9.Drive off for 10 minutes and CEL back on10.3 or 4 days later the CEL goes off11.3 or 4 days later it comes back on12.3 or 4 days later it goes off13.3 or 4 days later it comes on14.Car seems to be running well and gas mileage is okThe CEL light went off while driving on the highway both times from the mountains from 6000 ft to 3500 feet elevation. Weather has changed around here, Typical Montana 65 degrees one day 20 the next.My mech thinks maybe a bad ground wire some where. I'll spend some time checking them. Don't have a current code but 171 is the only one we have ever gotten.Thanks, DanThey say, and I've noticed, that cars have personalities.Maybe yours has developed a manic - depressive syndrome and no longer knows what he/she wants to be?? In all seriousness, it sounds a lot like an intermittant connection. I'd look very closely at all your ground points on the engine and chassis for the wiring harness and I'd also unplug and examine the electrical connectors for corrosion or moisture to the engine and all of its sensors and boxes. While you have them unplugged you might consider some electrical connection grease to keep moisture out.living where you live with the harsh winters and much road treatment this is a very real possibility after 6 years of driving.Dave

[specialbuddy]

I have been looking around and found the bulletin for the Corollahttp://ww2.justanswer.com/uplo...1.pdf