Hi. I'm new here and I already did a search before posting this question. I found some good information but since I have photos of the problem I'll describe, I figured it might help me get a better answer from the group.
Problem is this: my check engine light came on about 3 weeks ago. What's funny was that the VERY same week (and this is no BS - true story), I had scheduled to get my truck inspected for emissions (I live in the Atlanta, GA metro area) later that week. Not even a day later, the good old check engine light is staring me in the face.
A little history before I go any further: I do know about the crappy O2 sensor issues that have plagued Toyota Trucks - and I aint happy about it! The front (in front of the cat. converter) 2 O2 sensors went sour about 2 years ago and luckily the local dealer here did the right thing and replaced them at no cost. The back 2 sensors went out about 6 months ago and I bought some cheapo O2 sensors from a mail order internet site. I installed them fine and werre working just fine up until 3 weeks ago.
I checked w/Auto Zone (just to be sure) about the codes for the check engine light. They hooked up the reader and it read that the 2 back sensors were bad. As you can see from the photos, they really don't look that bad (I took the left side off and it almost looks new). Anyway, while taking the last nut off the 'stud' on the right side, the nut somehow got cross-threaded going BACKWARDS off the stud. By the way, I assume that is what the part is called - the stud (the threaded part that is welded to the truck). II went ahead and ordered two new sensors for the back - but it looks like I'm going to have a hard time installing them without a secure seal, correct?
Please check out the pictures (link below) and advise me on what route I need to take to get this resolved. I assume this part will have to be bought from Toyota or a junk yard and the re-welded? Here I was, thinking this would be a fairly easy fix (and I learned my lesson about buying crappy O2 sensors). FYI, I endup buying Bosch O2 sensors. I still can't believe how &*&%! expensive these are. My truck is almost 8 years old for gosh sakes! Nearly $220 for 2 little sensors!
Anyway, check out these photos and email me or post here what you think I need to do next (and don't say trade in my truck for an '08! - I still love my old '00 - and no payments!). Thanks in advance for your answers!
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