Hi, I have a 01 rx300 and am facing some major repairs! This is my first post, but I read lots on the forum when I was looking to buy and when I first got it. The air fuel sensor and intermediate pipe along with gaskets/hardware is going to run about $2500. Anyone in the Raleigh/Durham area recommend an independent shop that could handle this? My husband is not mechanically handy so DIY is out of the question. My car has about 127k. It's been great for the past two years, but this is steep! Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Holy comoly ......... dang sensor repairs.

I'd look online for the price of the parts you need. Parts geek and parts pelican are two that come to mind.

then I'd call different shops . and ask how much for the part and how much for labor.

What I'm about to say will be controversial to some here ............. I've had great luck with mechanics on craigslist. I have 3 different retired mechanics in my area who do a great job and have saved me literally thousands over the last two years. with 3 different vehicles ( wife and kids cars). 2 of the guys were military wrenches for 20 yrs.

I've even found a reitred toyota/lexus tech, in addition these guys usually have a discount parts connection and will not mark up parts.

Just my 2 cents but I'm looking at a knocksensor replacement napa parts wants 170 ea. ebay 65 bucks. My guy who I trust will do the job for 300.00 about a 6-7 hr. job.

shop/dealer wants about 1200.00 for parts and labor.

good luck !

 

Welcome to Club

The A/F sensor cost about $110 on Amazon. A mechanic should at max. take an hour charge for labor. It honestly only takes 30 minutes, and an experienced mechanic should have it done in even less time.

Not exactly sure what you mean by "intermediate pipe" but I'm guessing you meant the flex pipe because they tend corrode due to rust and will leak. The flex pipe only costs $65. And, max labor would be probably around an hour.

Not sure how they came up with an estimate for $2500.

 

I am not a fan of exhaust/muffler chain shops.

But you can get an estimate for repair from them (independent would be preferred). Some repair shops would take your vehicle to them as the muffler shops are better equipped for this repair.

Salim

 

Thank you for your replies. The "intermediate pipe" is how it was listed on the paperwork, but as I understand it, it is what holds the catalytic converter(?) apparently there is some leak and the hardware looks to have been messed up at some point and there is no way to just replace these studs without the whole thing which they claim is 1900. Off the paperwork "P1130-A/FSB1S1 malfunction. Checked data list at idle and at 2500 RPM readings did not change inspected for exhaust leak found broken stud at downstream O2S which is causing a moderate exhaust leak. Recommend A/FS to start" any further replies are appreciated.

 

Very fixable, A good muffler shop could weld in a new bung for the broken bolt...And replace sensor....

 

This is the sensor that needs to be replaced to cure the P1130:
Buy the sensor from Amazon as it is cheaper than any local parts store and it is OEM. Then take the sensor to an independent shop and have them replace it. The location of the sensor is Bank 1 Sensor 1 which is near the firewall, but they will know that by looking at the code.

As far as the exhaust goes have someone else take a look at it. Like mentioned, you can take it to a shop specializing in exhaust.

 

Sensor could even be fine if it has an exhaust leak, that could screw up the sensor readings. Sounds like a few hundred dollars tops.

 

Thank you taking the time to reply. Hopefully this will get taken care of next week.