My 2003 AWD has gone from getting 12-13 l/100km to 17 l/100km in the last month & I'm starting to think a stuffed O2 sensor may have something to do with it. For you more knowledgeable members here, is the O2 sensor change out a DIY job for someone with average mechanic skills? Where's the O2 Sensor located? Where in Perth can one buy a new O2 Sensor? Can someone please provide some instructions on how to do this exchange?

Can there be other reasons why my fuel economy's suddently dropped? The car is well maintained.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
:)

Go Here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59728&page=14) mate.
I changed mine awhile back and was real easy. I got mine from the wreckers. But any reputable auto shop have them. Dont go to mitsu themselves, they charge nearly $400!!

Try this address http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MITSUBISHI-OXYGEN-OXY-O2-SENSOR-MAGNA-VERADA-PAJERO_W0QQitemZ300337476402QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item45ed823332&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Cheers

Make sure you get the NGK (boxed as NOK) and make sure you do not get the type that you need to use your old plug either, the one of fleabay looks ok but check the breed first as some are crapola

NGK (NOK) part numbers
3/99> = OZA116-M8
6/03> = OZA548-M5

try Petroject, Repco, and Cov's

Hey, thanks for the information especially the part numbers. This lookslike something I can certainly do myself. Yeah did call Mitsubishi and they quoted me $400 for the O2 sensor. Couldn't really justify going with them with that price and paying labour on top without feeling I'd ripped myself off reading others here getting their sensors for around $58-75 or so.

& grelise, nice thread too on you AWD, that was an interesting read for me. I had a look around the car today after work but couldn't find where the sensor was - you mentioned a plate that needs to be taken out? Where's this plate and how do I get to it?

O2 Sensor, if you get under the car, find the Cat converter and look slightly forward along the pipe towards the engine and feel with your hand, you'll find something protrude from the exhaust pipe nearly 90 deg. Cause we have the tailshaft also it can be hard to see.
The metal plate is the plate that on the passenger side covers and protects the ECU and other elctronics. To get to it, you'l need to pull away the carpet from the "Transmission Tunnell". Make sure the seat is fully back, give yourself plenty of room. The metal plate is screwed down. When its undone it exposes what you see in the pics.
I'm doing another 02 sensor this weekend so I'll get better pics for you.

Hi
I had similar thinking with economy of my KH verada. Bosch dealers had a special to fit a generic Bosch sensor for about $120. It made no difference to my economy. I really dont think much time is speant by engine in the 02 sensing mode, its only when cruising light throttle that the O2 is used and you dont use much fuel in that mode anyway.

After my dissappointment there was a Top Gear episode a few years ago to speed up an old crappy Renault. Jeremy put exhaust, intake and car was slower. Richard put wide tyres and brakes and car lapped slower. Then overnight James speant money on new injectors and car on dyno returned to factory spec power, like 100kw to 150kw, amazing.

I am now the view that all the injection systems wears.

Jason

Hi
I had similar thinking with economy of my KH verada. Bosch dealers had a special to fit a generic Bosch sensor for about $120. It made no difference to my economy. I really dont think much time is speant by engine in the 02 sensing mode, its only when cruising light throttle that the O2 is used and you dont use much fuel in that mode anyway.

After my dissappointment there was a Top Gear episode a few years ago to speed up an old crappy Renault. Jeremy put exhaust, intake and car was slower. Richard put wide tyres and brakes and car lapped slower. Then overnight James speant money on new injectors and car on dyno returned to factory spec power, like 100kw to 150kw, amazing.

I am now the view that all the injection systems wears.

Jason

That it does, mainly your injector clog, which can be solved by getting them ultrasonically cleaned (injector cleaner does nothing)
However what "James" did was maintenance on the car, which by what you've said the other two did not do. It's not the answer to all your problems though.