Have a 1996 850 GLT 103,000 - Check engine light came on - Independent Mechanic (says he'll buy the car) says both sensors need replacing - $220.00 each plus $130.00 labor

I am selling the car, in excellent condition, sports package, premium radio,
moon roof factory 6cd changer etc. (asking $5,500.00) He has offered me $4,500.00 -

Can I get the sensors replaced less money - And is $5,500.00 reasonable?

I'm agree with jda2000, I wouldn't trust that mechanic,
look like that he's just an opportunist...

You can read the codes yourself too. If 435,436 which say both front and rear O2 sensors, THAT's always really just a vacuum leak (a simple cracked or broken vacuum line) that costs pennies to repair.

I have NEVER seen one Volvo to date that really needs both O2 sensors at the same time.

Can you list the stored codes?

Don't know where/how to read codes??

All I know is the mechanic states the front sensor needs replacing and "possibly" the second - Mechanic states they like to replace both because sometimes replacing just one in front will "force" the second on to be replaced.

I used a universal O2 sensor about a month ago and my car has never run worse. I finally installed the Volvo ($$$) OEM part and there was a huge difference. Be careful with the generic sensors, mine simply would not work with the Volvo computer.

Labor should be 90 minutes max for both.

Do you remember your universal O2 sensor part number ?
was it a generic Bosch or an other one ?

NTK model 1XH

Thx for the reply: never heard about the brand NTK model 1XH

850 uses heated lambda and after couple search on the forums, I found Bosch #15717 at ~$50 to be an alternative for my 850 non-turbo,non-airpump but I'll
have to splice the 4 wires since these universal kits do not come with the factory connector but this is a lot cheaper that the OEM. I'll try it and see.

Theoretically any four wire sensor if installed correctly will work. The NTK plug was slightly different than OEM so maybe the wiring was crossed up. I do know that that although I 'saved' lots of money on the sensor, I spent a lot more on diagnosis, fuel etc. I am just happy I did not wreck my cat conv.

Good luck.

Don't walk, RUN away from this mechanic.

You can find the sensors online for about $75 each, and labor should be about 1 hr for both. Find yourself another volvo shop.

You can sell the car the way it is and deduct $300 from the final price for the O2 sensors repair.
--
'98 v70 GLT John, Tampa Bay

Where are you finding them for 75 bones? I can't find them for anything less than $130 for a 95 850 turbo.

try using Bosch Universal O2 sensors that are compatible with your car, they work just as good as the original replacements. Do a google search on O2 sensors.

Also, I've seen them on eBay for about $70- $80.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

Do you know the Bosch Universal O2 sensors part number for a non-turbo engine?

I've been looking myself and have not seen them at that price (besides ebay)
I've seen them start at that price range but those are no compatiable sensors.

Can you point us to the website??


Also changing the sensor is a easy job. you need a 22mm wrench and all you have to do is diconnect the harness (unclipping it may take a few minutes and a bit of patience) Turbo models you can remove the air breather if its too tight to get down there. But unclip it first and then remove the sensor or the wire will twist too much.

try discountoxygensensors.com

they have free shipping, and they sell Bosch OEM and universal sensors. Remember that Bosch makes the volvo branded O2 sensors.

Make sure the universal O2 sensor is the one compatible with your particular engine.
--
'92 740, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay