98 honda civic check engine light on...

[kenwin30]

hey guys, my car threw a code yesterday and my scanner read it as P0135 ( heater circuit of the 02 sensor)! is it a must that i get this checked out right away, or can i just keep rolling..?

 

[firemachine69]

Keep rolling. Chances are the heater element in your O2 sensor is shot, just replace the thing when you get a change.

 

[kenwin30]

i read where some guy said it might decrease my mpg's and thats about it

 

[firemachine69]

That is correct. Until the element is hot (either from the heater, or the engine itself), you're likely running in open-loop mode (i.e. squirt as much gas in the cylinder as possible until the ECU knows the engine is safe).

 

[mechtech2]

That O2 sensor will not read right unless it is hot. The heater inside helps with a quicker readings. After you drive a while it is not necessary, but it will still throw a code.
In Louisiana Summertime, you have time on your side to leisurely get another one.
Afterwards, clear the codes.

 

[kenwin30]

whats the cost to get it replaced ?

 

[Mr Nice]

Yep, buy a Denso sensor if you want to keep your gas mileage, avoid all *universal* brand sensors.

 

[brianl703]

The last O2 sensor I replaced in a Civic for a blown heater (seems to be a common problem), I used a Walker from oxygensensors.com which cost $60 and it worked fine.

 

[kenwin30]

just checked my mpg's with the 02 sensor out, and i prob got 6-7 mpg less than i did before it went out

 

[johnd]

Cost for a Honda sensor is about $200. Aftermarket, particularly if you do it yourself is less than half that.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: kenwin30
i read where some guy said it might decrease my mpg's and thats about it

The excess fuel in the exhaust could shorten the life of the catalytic converter.

 

[kenwin30]

yea probably gonna get it fixed on a month or so, 6 or 7 mpg less is killing me....

 

[Mr Nice]

I bought a new Denso sensor online for our 1998 Civic EX and it was approx $75 and it was the exact sensor.... NOT a universal O2 sensor that just happened to fit. The car still gets 40+ MPG after 250K miles.

BTW, make sure you check the exhaust manifold for cracks cause this is a well known problem on the 1996-2000 Civic.

 

[AcuraTech]

Good advice here so far, buy a name brand O2 sensor for plug and play easiness.

Heater elements going out on Honda 02 sensors is a common problem.

 

[kenwin30]

where is the 02 sensor located, and how easy is this to fix?