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Mechanic Stripped Manifold Thread Taking Out 02 Sensor - Not only that, but they are now charging me for a new manifold and labor to install it.They are claiming this is common and results from the manifold heating and cooling over time, causing the threads to be ruined when the old 02 sensor is unscrewed.I asked if they could tap the manifold, and they said there is no space to access the manifold to tap it. I'm being charged over $600 for a simple 02 sensor replacement. This is nuts.Any help is appreciated. I have an '06 with 70,000 miles.

That is a bunch of crap. The o2 sensors are tough to get out, but not impossible. The mechanic should be smart enough to not be an idiot about it.

If I can replace the O2 sensor and not strip it then they should not have a problem either. I doubt it's a common problem otherwise it would have come up on this forum.

Could they not just put in a helicoil to do the repair and not just replace everything?

You know, I can be so confusing!!I preach loud to not pull spark plugs out of a hot engine for you risk pulling the spark plug threads out with the plug.Now, here I go preaching to NOT pull an O2 sensor out of a cold manifold or pipe!!It's gotta be hot, by hot I mean maybe 120 degrees or so. Hot enough to burn you but cool enough to not seriously burn you. It just makes a crappy job even crappier!When they are hot the threads loosen up making things easier. Yes, put an anti seize on the threads but make darn sure you don't get any of it on the sensor part of the unit.I think they are an 18mm x 1.5 thread and I've seen inserts for them. I'd go in and make it very well known that THEY screwed up your manifold and THEY are responsible for fixing it, not you. At worst you'll only pay for part of the repair.Have I ever mentioned how much I really really really dislike "Professional" Mechanics!! My opinion come from years in the industry and then more years out of the industry watching people get financially raped by repair shops.Dave

I picked it up and only paid $50 for the diagnostic. I'm taking it to the original dealer and they are going to try to tap it.

Helicoil might work because it's not a life threatening part that will fail later on.

I have never heard of this happening. Take them to small claims court for the cost of the repair.

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Have I ever mentioned how much I really really really dislike "Professional" Mechanics!! Yes, you have and I agree! I'd rather screw up and fix it myself the pay someone to screw up and fix it for me (though generally I try not to screw up a job in the first place but...).Quote, originally posted by Ezekiel »Mechanic Stripped Manifold Thread Taking Out 02 Sensor - Not only that, but they are now charging me for a new manifold and labor to install it.They are claiming this is common and results from the manifold heating and cooling over time, causing the threads to be ruined when the old 02 sensor is unscrewed.Getting a tap in there shouldn't be that hard. Awkward, but not impossible.

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Yes, you have and I agree! I'd rather screw up and fix it myself the pay someone to screw up and fix it for me (though generally I try not to screw up a job in the first place but...).Just a warning, it'll probably come up again sometime. Dave

Okay, so they can't get a tap in there.But they'll have to take the manifold off to replace in with new one.So why not just tap out the old one and make it work, instead of replacing it.Should of tackled this one yourself.

And punch them in the face.God I hate Mechanics and I am one. Thats why I quit the shop I was working at, and joined the army. Fricken crooks the other guys in the shop would brake stuff, and the customer would get charged. Now I am mad.

Quote, originally posted by mac99d »And punch them in the face.God I hate Mechanics and I am one. Thats why I quit the shop I was working at, and joined the army. Fricken crooks the other guys in the shop would brake stuff, and the customer would get charged. Now I am mad.You and I can be Buds!!!! I too was not only one but also tried to be honest working in the management of them!!!! after a few years.......Let's see, take up drinking excessively, take up beating the wife , or find another line of work!!I took up carpentry.Dave

Not every tech out there is bad, I work with a bunch of good guys right now, but yes I have worked with some people I wouldn't ever let touch my car. That said, I have replaced quite a few oxygen sensors over the years, and have never ruined an exhaust manifold. Sometimes the sensors do seized in there pretty hard, but a little heat-either run the car to get the manifold warm or little persuading from a torch and they screw right out.....