Oxygen Sensors -- change or wait for code
 

So I'm at 103k miles, nearing 104k and wondered about the O2 sensors. AFAIK they are original to the X5.

Is this something I should change proactively or just wait for a check engine light? I imagine I'll improve my gas mileage a slight amount but it'll take a lot of miles at that slightly better gas mileage to pay for four O2 sensors!

FWIW, I'll DIY it so I'm looking at my time (worthless apparently) plus just shy of $500 :wow: for the sensors.

What's the collective wisdom out there?

If it not broken don't F#@k with it. That's what my dad an ASE certified mechanic told me when I was playing with cars.

I'm at 152k with originals, worm can heard cracking:whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whist le:

:iagree:

There's plenty of money to be spent on maint. with these things without messing with the stuff that's working - maybe put the $500 aside "just in case" and if something else lets go first, you're covered. :D

I am on the flip side - changed mine at 100k, I like to catch things before they fail.

there a bitch to get out, cooked in. You need the "special" tool/socket

Thanks guys. I'm inclined to leave them be as I have a radio issue I'm fighting now.

FWIW, I use a crows foot wrench to get O2 sensors out and have had good luck with those on multiple vehicles. I probably should order a real O2 sensor socket (22mm?) though before I change these.

My Pre-Cat sensors had to be replaced at 260,400 miles. I only use Shell gasoline and no additional fuel additives. Apply your funds to other maintenance issues such as the CCV system and cooling system. At your vehicle age and mileage it's time for expansion tank, main hoses and belts.

2002 X5 3.0 305,200 miles
2014 428i 19,500 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird Under restoration

As posted many time in the past....
Test then replace is the only real path to problem solving. O2 sensors are easy to read live through the OBD2 port and have a good soft and hard failure codes to warn you of issues.

If your ownership practices include using good gas and monitor your fuel consumption rates everything else will work as planned by the design engineers. Short trips will accelerate failure to 60/80K, while most last to 100K+

The element heaters that are built in are the first function to go bad unless the sensor tips are exposed to antifreeze, oil, or REALLY bad gasoline.

Done, done, and done. Radiator replaced too while I was in there...:rofl:

Thanks again for all the replies.

Now, I just need to figure out this radio volume issue...BM53 or Lear DSP amp? Hmmmm...:(

If you are going to replace the 02 sensor, just do what most professional mechanics would do, snip the wire and use a regular 6 point socket to remove the sensor.

Brilliant!
then use the 12 pt less secure offset to get the new one in.
Keep those professional tips coming to us amateurs!

I also read somewhere that over 90% of oxygen sensors are unnecessarily replaced, esp. by DIY'sers. The oxygen sensor companies laugh all the way to the bank.

what about (just for the sake of discussion, not wanting to start an argument)

We bought and drive "performance" cars that are no denying expensive to maintain, but shouldn't we want to keep it preforming at its peak ! ?

We don't drive the tires down to the steal belts.
I bought 4 bosh oxygen sensors for $272 at 100k 6 years ago.

I sure get both sides of this "discussion" and have replaced oxygen sensors in the past - but only when they have faulted.

And I HAVE made pre-emptive component replacements, where they are liable to reduce either performance or reliability. I just don't think O2 sensors are in this category. They either go or they don't (yes, they degrade over time/use but that doesn't mean they stop working), and when they don't go, the car will let you know. And it wont stop running.

point well taken about a part that wont leave you stranded when it fails.

like I said 2 posts ago, I am in the amateur category so i try to follow the maintenance schedule...

Me too! :thumbup:

Currently, I lose sleep over the condition of my front crank pulley (vibration damper) - a failure of which WOULD stop the car running. The Aussies see these fail at about my mileage and one member here had his fail last week, at a similar mileage (100,000 miles-ish). Mine looks great but might fail later today. Who know? Sheesh...

O2 sensors, not so much. :D

GREAT.....never gave that pulley a thought, now I can loose some sleep as I am at 186k with the original.

Sleep easy - it's only an issue on the diesels. :D

Don't BMW advertise their cars as Maintenance Free, Life time ATF..... etc

Preventative maintenance is ALWAYS cheaper than catastrophic maintenance.
Components wear down and fail. One could literally drive the car off the lot and never
raise the hood. Years could pass. Eventually the oil would fail, the air cleaner would clog, the MAF would
gum up,the oil filter would clog.
Yes, those are all items that need attention.
I don't wait for those items to fail. Keep on top of your vehicle and stay in the fast lane.

I come from the Aviation background, and failure in flight , is not an option.

Good point. I've always taken them off b/c I was taking the exhaust down on the race car or something so I needed to preserve the sensor.

Thanks!

and I am not so sure I would have the guts to cut them - if I stripped it or could not budge them - at least you could drive the car to someone else with the wire intact, - "i dont know, it was like that......" :)

I can *always* budge them, b/c MAP gas. :D

I replaced two pre-cat sensors on my M54 3.0. The tool and two sensors were under $100 and took about 30 minutes. It did actually give me a small improvement in gas mileage. If the job was much more than $100 though I probably would have just waited for them to fail.