Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Running Rough

I have been getting a cel for my upper o2 sensors being bad would that be the reason whyu my car seems like a dog lately. also my water temp stay below n on normal when drive in city is that normal? Last but not least i here a clicking noise when realeasing the clutch in 1st or reverse very faint but you can here it if your against a wall or next to a car.

i have the codes for the two upstream sensors as well (p1131 & 1151) and some days the car absolutely refuses to idle right with a slight decrease in mpg as well. i am replacing the offending sensors, cleaning the maf and intake manifolds and checking for vacuum leaks. from what i understand that should just about take care of things.

how much are 02 sensors? And can they be installed rather easily?

O2 sensors cost about $70 for Bosch ones from NAPA. Having a bad O2 sensor will decrease you mpg by 30-35% , so if you were getting 30mpg and then got a code for a bad O2 sensor, you would be getting about 20mpg.

With installing them, not sure about a Duratech, but a Zetec can be done within 10 minutes. It is right near the radiator, unplug the wire where it goes to, that wire runs near the radiator just follow it, then using an O2 sensor socket if you have one, if not thats okay to, unscrew it from where it is bolted into. Reverse procedure to install a new one.

Also be very careful when handling it if you drop it on the ground it is junk.

Disconnect negative battery cable for 15 minutes, so it resets the computer, reconnect it, then drive away and be happy you getting more mpg.

hope that helps

Here is the How-To

http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=42

Personally, I'd rather pay someone else to do it. It was a pita to do it with short and stubby arms.

Bank 2 did not take more than 10 minutes to change.

I just installed mine not to long ago, it was a pita but all in all it was easy with patients. As to price: Auto Zone and Advance Auto has them for $60.99 +tax. Also you wanna try removing fuses #4 & #11 to clear the codes much easier and you dont have to wait that long and you dont have to reset your radio. Heres the howto web page