how much for a lambda change?

[Siclops58]

Hi all,

my ph1 172 failed its mot on emissions last week and rentech have advised changing the lambda, i live near Brighton so can't get it to them as the mot has now expired so i may have to resort to kwikfit or local garage to get it changed before the retest expires - what should i be looking at price wise for the bill?

 

[James.f]

Which lambda is it? there 2, one before the cat and one after..

Cheaper for you to remove the cat yourself and them removing the lambda sensors as their mega tight,

For the lambda itself might want to try a Motor Factors as they might be abit cheaper, but heres the rough prices:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=renault+clio+172+lambda+sensor&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[Siclops58]

I don't know which one it is, it has failed all the emissions and i got it tested at an mot-only centre so they haven't looked at it. I don't know what i'm doing when it comes to changing it myself so not that happy with doing it :S

 

[James.f]

Im not sure on how to check the lambda sensor's myself, but wouldnt it show on the Emmisions test as sensor 1 or something?

 

[Siclops58]

hmm not sure, this could be an issue, i don't want to pay out twice if i don't have to

 

[Siclops58]

i have taken it to kwik fit as they are the closest garage to me, they have quoted £85 for the part plus labour which shouldn't take long - not bad i thought, then the guy says there is a screw/bolt that runs through both the cat and the sensor and that in a worse case scenario this might break or whatever and then they would have to change the cat as well - another £400. Does that sound slightly dodgy to anyone else?

 

[Phill90]

Dont take it to kwik fit, try a smaller business first, tell them what kwik fit have said, and you thought they were taking the piss. There should be a mechanic or 2 on here that can tell you how it works

 

[cliosportcraig]

It only screws into a thread and unplugs, it's so easy it's untrue.

DIY

 

[Whiteley]

22mm spanner, get on it. Ph1 or ph2 car? Some ph1's only have the single lambda.

 

[Siclops58]

so they're talking s**t to get more money from me? i have read that the sensor is an arse to get off, i don't have a drive or a lot of tools, i would just fell happier if a garage did it. But if kwik fit are trying it on they can get lost

 

[Siclops58]

22mm spanner, get on it. Ph1 or ph2 car? Some ph1's only have the single lambda.

phase 1 x reg 2000 i really don't know what i'm doing with it or where it is

 

[James.f]

^ its a proper arse to get off trust me, i have 4 i need to pull off

 

[Andyman]

22mm spanner from memory at one end, other end simply plugs in.

If you can jack up a car on axle stands you can do this easy

 

[Whiteley]

Jack the car up, stands under for safety. Have a nose around the downpipe and you'll see a round sensor poking out with a 22mm hex at the base of it, the other end plugs into the engine loom.

 

[Dip]

If you can't be bothered to do it yourself...Go down to Rentech in Portsmouth. Mike charged me £85 fitted a few weeks back...

 

[Siclops58]

heh i had it booked with him but the mot has run out and i don't want to get done for driving without it, its an hour drive so i'm not taking the risk.

So from what people are saying there isn't actually a bolt that would break causing me to have to get the cat changed?

 

[James.f]

Re-book a MOT with him, then you are allowed to drive the vehicle up to the MOT test centre.

No theres no bolt, the only type of bolt is the lambda sensor

 

[davebem]

Its easy to get off, especially if yours is a early 172ph1, its just the one sensor on the downpipe, jack the whole front up, put on stands, one spanner and its off. Theres just enough room to turn the spanner.

 

[Fredy]

Ive changed mine today by myself.

Lambdas were stuck so I had to heat them and exhaust surrounding them with a torch. That happens when you dont apply that copper paste.