MadScientist79

Hey all, new to board, but couldn't find the info I was looking for (don't have time at work to search through all back threads). I just bought a used (75K miles) 2000 audi S4 and it looks like the catalytic converter needs to be replaced (MIL came on, Audi dealer diagnosed). The cat. will be covered under an 8yr/80K warantee, but they're telling me I need to replace the O2 sensors in front and behind the cat. or else it won't function properly. They're quoting me prices of ~$250/sensor + 5 hours labor (~$500). I'd rather not sink an additional $1000 into my "new" car unless absolutely necessary. If they have to replace sensors with cat., why wouldn't it all be covered under same warrantee? Anyone have experience with this, and thoughts or advice to share? I have a limited knowledge about cars, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

MS

VerrÜckt

Are you in California? If not, you can get VW O2 sensors to work for much less $$$.

S4zero8

For those who have done this, are you able to pass readiness codes??

DAP@EPL

And you should be sure to take your own advice!

MadScientist79

I'm not in Cali (Mass.), but if an audi dealer is doing the cat. conv. replacement under warantee, I find it difficult to believe they'd allow me to make that switch...? Also, is 5hrs labor reasonable? Seems like if they're already doing the cat, the sensors in front and behind should be relatively trivial to replace and calibrate? Or am I wrong there?

n_r_child

Of course, I'd still feel a bit peeved about dropping them in there. 5 hours seems high for a car with the cats already removed.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself with either the VW sensors or the Audi sensors. I haven't done it yet but am getting ready to.

n_r_child

indicator light" and "check engine light", but is it the same idiot light illuminating?

MarkS4

come out. O2 swap takes 3 minutes for both front and rear since downpipe is sitting on ground in front of you.

Maybe the were going to magically teleport the old downpipes out of the car and teleport the new downpipes back in. Then they would have to manually remove the new downpipes to install the new O2 sensors and hence the labot charge?

Seriously, sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one on you. Perhaps the O2's are not under warranty but they certainly should not charge you labor because even if they were good, they would still have to swap the old O2's into you new downpipe. Actually installing new O2's is less work as they do not even have to remove the old ones from your faulty downpipes.

Call them back and ask for a better explanation.

Good Luck!

MingsS4

This gives a good overview of what is required by the Federal EPA, regardless of what the dealer/manufacturer may tell you.<ul><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt">EPA Emissions Warrenty FAQ</a></li></ul>

DAP@EPL

Take that to your dealer when they try to tell you the O2 sensors aren't part of the emissions warranty.

[edit]
Looks like only "Major Emission Control Components" are covered for 8yr/80k miles. And those are only the cats, ECU, and OBD computer. The rest of the stuff is only 2yr/24k miles.
[/edit]

-Dave Pramanik