Anyone a mechanic or work in parts at a Ford dealer?

[Larry Callahan]

My brother in-law has a 2002 Ford Focus SVT and twice he has hit a large bump or dip in a road. His check engine light comes on and the dealer gets him for over $400 for an O2 sensor they say is broken or damaged when the car is bottomed out.

I think the bulk of the cost was the labor to change it. Can this be right? I can't imagine it would take more then 30min for a dealer to change it out.

[MonzaRacer]

Hey Larry,
My bet would be on the difficulty to remove the damaged part/replace the bung if damaged, then your going to get hit with a diag charge, generally anywhere from 45 minutes to an 1.5 hrs (shop standard is in the 1 to 1.5 hrs for any diag).
As for the O2 sensor probably costs in the $100-$150 list price. and then probably at least an hours labor to repair.
As for costing this if he KNOWS its a busted O2 he could request that they only do the replacemnt(or buy his own tool and do it hime self)and not do any computer checking or code clearings.
Now if they have to repair wiring or connectors then it may go up some.
But honestly if he would have the struts changed and install some Monroe Reflex (if they have them for that model) struts they are made to fight nose dive and pitch and roll.
I put 2 of them that fit an S10 on the front of my 77 Monza and it made a bIG difference on how it handeld.
I honestly think the struts/springs are getting weak/sagged if he is bottoming out his Focus as I have a buddy with one and he has already done the groundeffects and 17 in tires/wheels and hasnt dont any of that kind of damage.
Ill try to get the flat rate for r&r of the O2 sensors tomorrow, dont work for Ford but maybe the flat rate can tell us something.

[kennyd]

My brother in-law has a 2002 Ford Focus SVT and twice he has hit a large bump or dip in a road. His check engine light comes on and the dealer gets him for over $400 for an O2 sensor they say is broken or damaged when the car is bottomed out.

I think the bulk of the cost was the labor to change it. Can this be right? I can't imagine it would take more then 30min for a dealer to change it out.


well as a ford dealer employee , list on that o2 sensor is 111.93
labor is 87.50 per hr , book calls for labor time of .4 hr, BUT 1 hour of dag time is 87.50

so in short you brother is gettin screwed

[BADVELLE]

Of course you are also talking about CA labor rates, I presume, which are going to be over $100 or close to. At any rate, I agree with Kenny, he is getting it put on him!

[MonzaRacer]

unless they are having to repair the bung then it may cost more but I also believe hes getting shafted.

[Zeventy1Z]

yea... here in pleasanton, california my shop charges $159 diagnostic and $114 an hour... which puts us right in the middle as compared to other shops and dealers... so for us, we'd charge $159 diag + $120 for the O2 sensor + $57 for 1/2 hour labor = $336 + tax which puts you at about $350.... they must have charged him an hour's labor for install to cover time when the mechanic test drives the vehicle and re-checks the sensors after repairs...

[6'9"Witha69]

I have a CAN/OBDII scanner and can clear any DTCs in 30 seconds if he does it on his own.

[Zeventy1Z]

I have a CAN/OBDII scanner and can clear any DTCs in 30 seconds if he does it on his own.

yea, but clearing the codes wont solve the problem... the light will just come back on

[6'9"Witha69]

yea, but clearing the codes wont solve the problem... the light will just come back onThat is why I said if he does it (fixes it) on his own.