well since my car just hit 100k i was wondering if/when i should start to replace the sensors. O2, MAP, MAF, TPS, Coolant level, Knock sensor, Coolant temp sensor. im sure i forgot something, but how long should i expect these to last, and when should i think about changing them?? thanks a lot.

rob

 

bump

 

oh come on....

please?

 

The o2's need to be changed if you have never done so.
The MAF should be ok, just clean it (carefully) and the MAP you can change for about $34 and it should help gas mileage a lot if it was going south.

 

As much as it can cost to repair these things when something really wears out, I personally would not recommend replacing anything that is not broken or highly suspect.

I am at 160,000 and was t-shooting a right bank lean condition, I naturally replaced O2s (no codes, no evidence they were bad, just old). Well the crappy old ones reacted EXACTLY the way the brand new ones did to my exhaust leak. No difference. The old ones were not clogged or even very dirty.

With the exception of the O2s and MAF, I believe most the other sensors can be checked with an ohmeter. I don't think anybody replaces a $300 MAF preventively.

Save your time and money for plugs, wires, and opti. And for permormance mods.

Think of it this way, spend 500-700 and get all news sensors and your car will feel exactly the way it did before you spent the money. Spend the same amount on mods and you'll feel the fruits of your labor.

If it aint broke........

Just an opinion
Sean

 

I have to agree with the above statement. I am over 170,000 at this point and have not had very many sensor failures. What I have had has been replaced after finding some quantitative evidence, for example thrown codes or incorrect ohm readings. I have learned that simply changing everything, just because, gets expensive in these cars

Just for the record the only sensors I have replaced are IAT, MAF. and Low coolent (ok i just unplugged that one I'm cheap)

 

so you have over 170k and you dont think your O2s are bad? have you cleaned anything?

 

What I think is that they appear to be functioning normally. There are no anomalous readings I have not had the car since new. I bought it about 50,000 miles ago, and I have no idea of the age of the O2s. Since the car is basicly stock and showing no signs of anything O2 related, I have no intention to replace them because they may have close to 80,000 miles. I just think that there is no need to replace something until it is gone bad. Or you have evidence to believe it is malfunctioning. (a major exception would be when the consequences of a part failure out way the cost of replacement i.e. timing chain on an interference engine)

 

very true brad

replacin good sensors just dont make sense to me

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

that might be true, but ive learned something since ive been in the military. the reason why we are able to use gear that is so old and outdated is because of a simple concept called PMing. preventative maintenance performed on gear at regular intervals, keeps everything working properly and stops the little things from ruining the big things.

if you say dont replace them til they go bad, then when can i expect them to go bad?

 

they dont have timelines. they go out when they feel like it.

usually a sensor either works or it dont. hardly ever is it in between. if a sensor does go out, 95% of the time your check engine light will come on and the pcm will tell you whats in fault. if you are worried bout getting stranded....the only sensor that will do that to you, would be the crank sensor(if it was to go out).

as far as the little things ruining the big things theory......like i said, the check engine light will come on and you can jump on the problem before it does any harm to the car. these car computers now a days are pretty smart and are constantly monitoring your engine performance will you are driving.

the parts on these cars i see normally going out alot are:
optispark distributor
02 sensors
MAF sensor

as for everything else, you cannot predict when it will go out.

 

just go with the flow