Well, the 120,000 mile marker finally rolled around. 35K/year can make that happen.

Anyway, was throwing codes off and on (LH O2 sensor and a knock sensor). So I replaced the following last night:

O2 sensor up front with new wires
Knock sensor ($125 even at the dealer)
OEM NGK sparks plugs ($8.50 each at the dealer)
Fuel Filter
Cleaned Throttle Body
Oil and filter
and one can of Techron Fuel system cleaner

I took my about 4 hours and 4 cuts/scrapes, but it was worth it! The difference isn't night and day, but definetly noticeable. The most notabely is how smooth it idles and accelerates silkty smooth again.

 

Dude thats just what I want to do....Thanks to you im inspired....:

 

Cool, you'll be happy when you're done. Just watch out for the fuel filter and knock sensor...they're a biotch to get out!

Good luck..

 

is all that easy to do...i'm no mechanic.. but i needa better ride too :-)

 

I am a newb to fixing cars but I have been inspired by this website. I was wondering before you changed O2 and Knock sensor, was the car feeling sluggish and have bad gas mileage. My codes told me I have a problem with the knock sensor and the FRight O2 sensor and my car gets horrible gas mileage and feels slow. Also was it easy to change the O2 sensor? Thanks alot!

 

how'd you get OEM NGK Spark Plugs for 8.50? I paid 16.XX each for the ones I bought. And I couldn't find any place cheaper. Hook a brother up!

 

i really want to do all that, but knock sensor is so pricey... i just change the oil when i can, and keep that throttle body clean (that seems to make a reaaally big difference)

 

how often are you meant to clean the throttle body?

 

Homebody -
Yes, my car was feeling quite sluggish and not responsive. Since I did everything at once, I couldn't tell what in particular made the car feel much better. Changing the O2 sensor helped and was easier than I thought. It's actually easier than changinty the oil. Just prop the car up on jacks, find it on the exhaust and unscrew. Then follow the wire up top the engine andf simply unclick it. Rpeat the process with a new plug and wire and you're done in less than 10 minutes. I suggest doing that first, resetting the codes and driving your car for a few days. If your knock sensor code goes away, then the O2 sensor was what was tripping the 0304 code all this time. You'll feel a difference, trust me.

Can't Catch Me -
Just go on the internet and print out allt he places where you find the OEM plugs for ~$8. Bring the print out to the dealer and ask them to match it. Even better, just got copper plugs. They last 1/2 as long, but are a 1/4 of the price. When you do the math, it's actually better to go that way.

maxNYC -
Every 15K - 30K, depending on how much you want to. Once you get the process down, it's a 20 minute job.

 

the knock was probably what made you bigest difference.

over the time i have had my max i have replaced the almost the same things but not @ the same time and the knock was the "BIGGY" but the others gave me the same peace of mind ;-)

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to try to change the O2 sensor this weekend or next.