And I am just sick about it. This state requires emissions testing every year. Our Geo failed last year and the shop told us the first thing to do was replace the O2 sensor. I asked if that would fix it, and they said they didn't know, that you just had to try stuff until something worked and this was the first thing to try. So we replaced the O2 sensor. The shop wanted to charge us nearly $300 to replace it, but I found one at Auto Zone for $60 (it's a heated sensor, so more expensive than usual) and had them put it in--total, about $100. It didn't fix the problem, but they ran the test over and over until they finally got the thirty seconds necessary to fix it.

Well, the shop we're using this year tells us that the O2 sensor is bad. Dh told them that we'd just had it replaced last year, and they said they hoped we had a warranty because they tested it and it's bad. Apparently, there's a diagnostic you can do--first of all, why didn't the shop last year perform a diagnostic, instead of telling me "we just had to try stuff"? More importantly, I'm just sick that it has to be replaced, and I can't find the manual or warranty information. Also, I'm wondering, since the shop last year didn't bother to run a diagnostic, if the O2 sensor was bad to begin with, and they just didn't know. If we had known then, we could have taken it back immediately and gotten it replaced! The shop this time is telling me it will be $260 to replace. I'm afraid to go get one at Auto Zone again.

AND, I looked up info about the O2 sensor and it says it can cause failure of the catalytic converter, in which case we'll have to replace it too. I just lost my job, so we don't have extra cash around, and our entire emergency savings is just under $500. If we have to replace the converter, it will wipe out our entire cushion. :(

Now I'm feeling that old familiar anxiety creep up on me. I won't be able to sleep for a week, and I'm already sleep deprived. I just feel sick.

Encouraging words?

Heather