Hi, I'm a new member but longtime lurker, and very appreciative of all I've learned here.

My car: 2000 S80 T6, 124K miles. In the 35,000 miles I've owned it, it's been perfect, so for the $6500 I paid, I'm happy with it.

My issue: I recently had a Check Engine light that coded out to be ECM290A, P1152 - which is either a permanent or intermittent fault of the front O2 sensor in Bank 2.

My first question: After having this fault 'cleared' by the mechanic and estimated repair at over $1K to replace both front sensors - is it possible that this truly is an 'intermittent fault' and that I can continue driving with the possibility it won't throw a code again and/or not ruin my converter in the process? i.e. can I get by with not doing anything for a while (a while being another 10K miles or so).

My second question: I feel I'm getting reamed on this repair estimate, as I've sourced the OEM Bosch sensors online for around $180 each as opposed to the full pop he was going to charge me of $303 each. Is this a job the average Joe can do himself? I have VADIS, and it appears self explanatory although a bit clumsy - has anyone here ever done it? Is that Volvo special tool necessary? I have a clue when it comes to mechanical repairs on a car, but I'd say I'm an advanced beginner at best, with enough tools (and motivation) to get myself into trouble.

I don't see any sort of how-to in the various searches I've done in these forums.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

Vadis should tell you how to change them.
FCPgorton sell the O2sensors: http://www.fcpgroton.com/category-ex...69/by_year/50/
IPD sell a tool for like $20: http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-S80-1999...p-76-733-2755/

 

I'm about to change mine both front and back. You can do better on prices amazon has the front Bosch 17036 for $146 and Partsquick has the rear NGKs for $85 a piece, if you end up needing them as well. From what I've read 100k is what the sensors should be changed at anyways so if you're having codes pop I would think things will get worse not better.

My local parts store here in Canada quoted me $750 a piece for the fronts and $350 a piece for the rears, so don't feel too bad about your mechanics price.

Looking at VADIS instructions it almost looks easier to pull the whole CAT out and change the sensors than trying to drop it down and change it?

I'll post as soon as I've changed mine.

 

Excellent, I look forward to hearing how it went for you, and thanks for the heads-up on Amazon's pricing...

 

Drop the lower half of the exhaust off then the rest should hang low enough to change them.