Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting o2 sensor bad

I have two o2 sensors bad on my 98 ford contour SE. I have a code 420 and the o2 sensors were checked and both upstream and downstream in bank 1. are bad. I went to two mechanic places and the labor was horrific, they told me the 02 sensors were buried in this engine and they would have to strip the exhaust manifold and a lot of other [censored]. they said aprox 7 hrs of labor and another ford company said prob around 5hr labor and maybe more if the bolts are frozen on there. I can't even believe why ford would bury these [censored] o2 sensors when they go bad at 60,000 miles, my car has 70,000 miles on it now i am going to have to pay 400 bucks in labor alone. If any one has any suggestions that would help me in any way please tell me. I need to know if this labor time is accurate thanx.

find a better shop. it won't take 5 hours for a shop to do. and get sensors from www.oxygensensors.com i should get money from these ppl as many times as i plug them.

Your oxygen sensor problems maybe related to faulty pre-cat(s). Latter, if faulty should be covered under 8yr/80k mile emissions warranty.

Prices you have been quoted are high even for exhaust manifold replacement; sensors should be 1 hr max each, and warranty labor allowance for both exhaust manifolds (which contain the pre-cats) is 4.4 hrs.