September 12, 2006
Van question
Check engine light on the van has resulted in a four day fiasco (more later on the funny parts). Issue: service guy who I don't trust is citing a $1250 tab which would include $680 for a "purge box" that's needed to go along with a new oxygen sensor on the right manifold. I'm calling bullshit on this as I can't find such a thing as a "purge box" on any autoparts websites. Any insight on this? Thanks in advance.
(The funny parts included the dumb as a sack of doorknobs hook driver who delivered the van to the wrong dealership on Sunday).
Posted by Steve-O at September 12, 2006 02:37 PM | TrackBackHeres your "purge box":
http://www.labconco.com/_scripts/EditItem.asp?ItemID=1535
Find a different shop...this guy is trying to rip you off.
An O2 sensor runs ~$80 around here. Add another $60 or so for install (sometimes the sensor can be a screaming bitch to R&R).
Interested in how this comes out for you.
BSH
DO NOT get talked into a purge box and wait a bit on the oxygen sender unit. Sometimes they send bad readings due to bad gas. DO go to Sears or an auto parts store and buy a diagnostic scanner and buy a Chilton or Haynes repair manual for your car. Depending on how fancy of a gadget you want, figure one to three hunnirt bucks. I got them from Pep Boys. This will allow you to check what the code refers to and to clear it. After it is cleared it will take about three starts to flash on again if there really is a problem and then do not get excited. The van will run without hurting anything except maybe gas mileage. Only change the sensor if the light keeps popping on.
Posted by: Paul Phillips at September 12, 2006 03:11 PMOh, I forgot to mention that the scanner can used on any vehicle in your fleet.
Posted by: Paul Phillips at September 12, 2006 03:15 PMNo, don't walk away...run away from that mechanic. People who do this stuff give a bad name to the industry. There is no "purge box" and I can't think of anything even close to that description that you might have mis-heard. All the other commenters are correct. I would start by checking the connector where the O2 sensor plugs into the harness or junction, unplug it and then reconnect it and do a few more starts from the off position, if the error does not re-occur after 3 starts the system resets itself. If it persists, go to another mechanic and ask them to read the code, show you the number or alphanumeric and then what it means in the manual. An honest shop will have no problem with this. $120 including labor should be about it for the sensor replacement.
Posted by: Terrapod at September 12, 2006 06:59 PMI think the purge box connects to the muffler bearing via the johnson rod.
Posted by: Leopold Stotch at September 12, 2006 08:30 PM"Mama's got a purge box she keeps on her chest, and when Daddy comes home, he never gets no rest . . . "
Oh, sorry. That's a Squeeze box.
Posted by: The Colossus at September 13, 2006 08:42 AM
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