Codes P0130 & P0135 - Pre cat lambda, what to do?

[ScarySquirrel]

Hi all,

My car runs like a dog for about 10 mins from cold. It's become unbearable now.

I plugged in a code reader and it returned the following:

P0130 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0135 O2 Heater Circuit

From searching on here I understand that the pre-cat lambda needs replacing.

I just had a very painful conversation with Renault, they told me I need BOTH replacing, at a cost of £120 each, plus labour, which they cannot quote for now as they don't know how long it will take. They said they'd also need to plug it into their diagnostic tool as well, at a cost, even though I told them what I want doing.

So basically, I know I can get a pre-cat lambda sensor for around £70, but I have no one to fit it. I don't understand why Renault can't just fit it for me, they've lost my custom because they're being idiots!

Is there a guide on how to fit them? What shall I do?

 

[olliewebbuk]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/R...b52c8c3f51225cde9d82bc704eeed970a89135&000210

and/or

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/R...c5fd93c605ba565fcff4573f8c2ee1c388fa08&000210

Do it yourself.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I'm just getting one from NW Performance, it's only £61.50. I think I only need pre-cat, as I understand it the post-cat doesn't really do a great deal.

 

[olliewebbuk]

1) Jack the car up safely
2) Place car on axle stands
3) Find the exhaust
4) Trace the exhaust to find the cat
5) Look before the cat and see the sensor
6) Unbolt and unplug said sensor
7) Bolt in and plug in new sensor
8) Jack the car back up to remove the axle stands
9) Lower the car down
10) Profit

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Sounds easy enough

I only bought one, will replace the pre-cat and see if that helps. I assume I'll need to clear the codes as well once I've replaced it?

 

[olliewebbuk]

Maybe! I had a throttlebody code stored on my 172, after about 200 miles of driving it cleared itself.

 

[jjones82]

Its a piece o piss mate (as long as they aint really tight!) may be worth getting a lambda sensor removal tool of ebay or someth ing similar, but i just used a 22mm or 24mm(I think!) spanner to lossen mine there easy to see when your under the car there the only things with wires attached coming out of the exhaust! On a 172 there both under where the gearstick is (near enough). But i think somebody told me that the 182 pre cat sensor is on the manifold itself so not sure if thats further up towards the engine?
I'm sure someone with a 182 will be able to confirm this or not though.
Also if you want to try and save some money just swap the pre / post cat lambdas around before buying one as the post cat one doesnt affect fueling or anything so at least you'l know before you spend any money!
Although if your unsure/ unwilling to do it i'm sure a 'normal' garage / mobile mechanic would do it for no more than 20 quid!
Just be careful with the lambda's as there quite sensitive/ delicate!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Thanks both, will take a look on Sunday and see what's going on under there. If I struggle I'll find a mechanic who can do it for me

 

[olliewebbuk]

Got a family member who is reasonable with a set of spanners? That's how I learnt, Granddad was a mechanic his whole life. Specialised in Italian stuff, ran his own business etc. He's 70 and still pops around to help out.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Got a family member who is reasonable with a set of spanners? That's how I learnt, Granddad was a mechanic his whole life. Specialised in Italian stuff, ran his own business etc. He's 70 and still pops around to help out.

Well I've done brake discs, pads, coilovers, and a few other smaller bits myself, so hopefully I'll be ok

 

[coxxy]

Well if you can do that lot then a lambda should be easy enough for you.

 

[Stewner]

Use plenty of penatrating spray, u can see about 2mm of thread sticking out, mine was stiff as fook. Be gentle at first they easily snap if seized. swapped my pre cat and post cat sensors round cured fault. hope this helps.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

After tonight I've decided I HATE working on cars.

10 mins jacking the car and getting my tools out
10 mins spraying WD40 and leaving to soak
30 mins trying with a spanner to undo the lambda
5 mins of it moving slightly and me wondering why it won't turn any more
5 seconds realising I'd been turning it the wrong way
30 mins turning it the right way and EVENTUALLY getting it undone
1 min to unplug the old lambda
5 mins trying to screw in the new lambda the wrong way
1 mins to screw in lambda the right way
30 mins trying to plug the new lambda connector in

DONE - Seriously, over 2 hours to do!!!

I cannot describe the amount of anger flowing through my body whilst trying to plug the new ****ing lambda connector in. Unless you have baby hands it's near ****ing impossible to get your hands into the right place (this is pre-cat lambda by the way), let alone have enough precision and force to plug the bloody thing in. Eventually I managed to yank the cable attached to the car out enough that I could plug it in. So bloody relieved when I did it! I have cuts and bruises all over my arms and hands. I'd rather drink my own piss for an eternity than be a mechanic.

So anyway, emissions light is still on, I assume I'll have to clear that. Car drove fine as expected as it was warm from the drive to my Mum's where I was doing it. Real test is tomorrow morning, if it's lumpy and misfiring still I'm going to be very very angry.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

It ran fine this morning, so fingers crossed that's the end of it.

 

[Austin-182]

How much did u pay for the pre cat lamda mate? Think i might change mine as mpg is low

 

[Jonny1*2]

lol at being a two hour job. The pain part is getting the sensor off. For future reference, blow torch will speed the process up no end. Well done for completing it though

 

[olliewebbuk]

Code should clear itself after the odd 100 miles.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

How much did u pay for the pre cat lamda mate? Think i might change mine as mpg is low

£61 or so from NW Performance.

lol at being a two hour job. The pain part is getting the sensor off. For future reference, blow torch will speed the process up no end. Well done for completing it though

Seriously, I couldn't believe it. Getting the sensor off and plugging the connector in when the new sensor was on was a nightmare. I don't have massive hands, but it was so bloody difficult!!!

Code should clear itself after the odd 100 miles.

Cool, thanks. Hopefully this has sorted it.