"Check Engine" came on a while ago and was told by dealer that O2 sensor was bad. I've waited to replace it because they also told me that in trying to replace it, the exhaust manifold might be damaged, taking the total cost from $350 to $1170. This seems ridiculously expensive to me, and I'm concerned that I might not be getting the most accurate information. Does anyone have advice? Should I take it elsewhere or is this typical?
Thanks!

 

do it yourself, thats just ****ing crazy. $60 sensor and get a rent a tool from autozone to take it out. and even if the exhaust manifold is stripped or damaged you can get one from the junkyard and put it on with the new sensor and a new exhaust manifold gasket all for less than $150. dont listen to the dealers.

 

It is not typical for the manifold to be damaged, but it is possible; oxygen sensors can get seized into the manifold and then pull out the threads when removed. The dealership is only quoting you the manifold to cover their butt just in case a situation like that arises.

If you are confident in your own ability and have tools, you could do it yourself for the cost of the oxygen sensor (assuming a DX or LX, you can pick up an NTK replacement sensor for around $70) and an oxygen sensor socket. Just keep in mind that you will be SOL if you pull the threads out of the manifold.

 

I see damaged O2 sensor threads all of the time out of virgin engines. I'm going on a hunch and assuming it's not an EX, and has the cat in the manifold. This creates so much heat that the manifolds almost always crack along the O2 sensor threads.

If your manifold is damaged, it should be covered by the 8/80 warranty, if you're under 80k

 

It is illegal for a business to sell a used catalytic converter; most salvage yards won't do it unless you have "connections." The price that Honda quoted him was almost certainly for the D16Y7 manifold with integrated cat.