OXYGEN SENSOR REPAIR -- Cost?

[rubes]

What is an appropriate charge for the replacement of the oxygen sensor in a 2000 Infinity I30?

Thank You!

Rubes

[Mike G]

First off welcome aboard!

Secondly, which O2 sensor, there are four... The front two on the manifolds book out at .9 of an hour to replace one or 1.5 for both. The rear sensor books out at .7 of an hour for one, or 1.0 for both. As far as the cost of the sensor, that can range, depending on how the service manager is feeling that day or if you buy them at your local parts store. --Mike

[rubes]

Thank you for asking and for your welcome! Turns out they replaced all 4 sensors - car is 8 years old - 155,000 miles -- they say its routine to have to replace all at the same time because they all age about the same way. Three failed, so they went ahead and replaced the fourth too.

Charge was $1000 for parts and labor on all sensors -- they charged me $215 for each sensor -- the rest was labor.

They say they don't shop around for parts -- they work with their supplier and that if I brought in parts they would increase labor charges by 25% because the added parts charge is how they pay the bills...

What do you think?

D

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard.

I think your screen name is terribly fitting, considering O2 sensors can be bought for less than half that price, and they take about 5 minutes each to change out.

But, if t was worth it to you, that's all that matters.

[rubes]

Haven't paid it yet -- that's why I am asking now if I should be arguing about the price. I'll pick up the car tomorrow.

I am confused by AZHitman's comment though -- as he no doubt knows, the charges are not based on "it takes about five minutes" -- the price is based on what the labor charge book says, as Mike pointed out. So no offense, but name calling and smart aleck comments aren't helpful.

The questions are whether the replacement of the 4th sensor was appropriate and whether I would be charged the same thing if I went somewhere else. I know I can get the part myself for less, but paying overhead on a part is one way mechanics make money so I am not trying to keep someone from charging a fair price. I am trying to determine what a fair price is for the work.

Again, any helpful feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

David

[AZhitman]

Wasn't my intention to be rude. If anythnig, my irritation is directed at whoever thinks marking up an O2 sensor is fair or even ethical.

Let me ask you this: Do you own a jack and some basic tools? If so, you can swap all 4 sensors yourself - I'll even find a link to a discounted price, with free shipping, for the parts.

EDIT: I re-read and see that the work has been performed already. You probably signed something OK'ing the work, so there's no arguing to be done.

Therefore, all you can do is audit to ensure that 2.5 hours of labor was billed (dealer rate is $90-$125 per hour) plus the price of the parts.

Mechanics are paid based on book hours, so don't think for one second that he's seeing any of the sensor markup money in his check. That's a rip, plain and simple. However, their shop, their rules.

Next time, hit us up first - we can alk you through the process, provide you with a Factory Service Manual, and link you to discounted parts. Hell, there may even be a NICO member in your area that'd do it for a case of beer or a fraction of the shop rate.

[AZhitman]

A quick search reveals our price for OEM O2 sensors for that car would be:

$130 + $110 + $130 + $110 for a total of $480.

A popular online store sells the same components (OEM equivalent) for $51 + $51 + $59 + $63 for a total of $224.

Your shop gets a jobber rate that is 30% - 50% of that price, which means they paid $336 - $240 (from the dealer) or $157 - $112 (through a supplier).

Replacing the 4th sensor is completely appropriate, makes sense.

[rubes]

Thanks, Hitman! I was out of the country - so didn't authorize the work - long story -- but the guy is generally a good guy so I don't want to argue unless the pricing is really unfair -- Thanks for your information --D

[davskins97]

I have replaced all 4 on my '01 maxima. I would highly recommend to anyone they buy the parts from oxygensensors.com and do it yourself. Buy the O2 toolkit too. I am by no means a mechanic, but it was a simple job. I bought the ones without the OEM connectors and crimped them and used the heat shrink protective tubing. The first 2 were replaced over 20,000 miles ago.

My total price tag for all 4 sensors and the toolkit was around $225. I wouldn't give anybody $775 to do a job that might have taken me 4 total max (replaced 2 at a time on 2 separate occasions). I'm sure an autoshop would use the ones with the OEM connectors, those are roughly $20 more. Still a long way from a $1000.