would you buy a 2 with the MIL on?

[stargazer30]

Guys

Advice please...
I've seen a reasonably priced (sub 3K) FL MR2 locally which is to be sold with a full MOT (needs the rear caliper fixing which the seller is paying for)
Problem is the MIL is on due to the lamda sensors, emissions are fine and its an MOT pass (apparently???)

The codes are;
P0135 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P0141 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P0155 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

So all 3 sensors have a broken heater circuit, so that puts it in the expensive to fix but doesn't actually effect the car any.  Seller unwilling to pay to repair them (understandably as it would cost £350+ to pay a garage for this)

I am confident I can fix them myself, except the one in the main cat.  I know these can be a bitch to get out.

What do you recon - take a punt or run away.  

PS I'd need to borrow/beg/steal or buy a code reader too to confirm the codes are correct.

[Anonymous]

the sensors wouldn't bother me, but the fact its got a "full" Mot (what does that mean anyway, its either got one or it hasn't) but has a faulty caliper, would make me wonder if the MOT is worth the paper its written on. Im not sure it would pass with the MIL on anyway, not sure about that.

If the price is good its certainly worth buying as a fixer, but it would have to be reduced suitably.

Don't be afraid of the post CAT sensor, I found that easier than the manifold ones!

[1979scotte]

If you check the codes yourself and they just come back as 02 sensors then i would go for it at the right price with a new MOT but as mark says I'm not sure you can get these days with a warning light on. Happy to be wrong on this perhaps it's just an advisory.

Btw its going to cost you over £200 for the o2 sensors yourself.
There are a couple of nice looking cars in the sales section. One is an 06 plate.

[Topdownman]

I would be asking why all 3 were on together as they are unlikely to go at the same time so how long have they been on for all 3 to be gone?

It will have been running rich for a while with the sensors gone, not sure if this would cause any problems?

It doesnt send out a good message about the standard of care its had does it? I suspect they will have trouble selling it as many wouldnt consider it due to fears about the engine so could knock down quite a lot maybe?

Of course there could be an undisclosed extra fault on it which they "dont know about"!

[Rogan]

Btw its going to cost you over £200 for the o2 sensors yourself.

And you need a special tool.

[mrzwei]

I think it's only the air bag, power steering and ABS lights which would cause a fail, not exactly sure though.
For all three heating circuits to fail just probably means that they have been in there a long time.
As said, best to check just in case another code suddenly appears   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  
The O2 sensors operate within a pretty narrow window so they aint going to cause major problems if they don't work properly, just more nasty pollution. The test is to pass the mot, not whether or not the MIL comes on and that's partly about getting the engine up to temperature before the test.

[mikews]

Will pass with the light on. Well, mine did and was a legit MOT

[StuC]

Plenty of good members up your way with tool and readers.
Would double check the codes though.

[Mightyquin]

The light isn't an MOT failure but if the emissions are off that would be.

Assuming the car passes an MOT then it's just a matter of fitting new sensors. Check those codes yourself though.

However, as someone else has said, the fact that all 3 sensors have failed and haven't been replaced, doesn't point towards a car that has been well maintained. If the previous owner/s hasn't changed the sensors - presumably to save money - what else have they neglected? I'd worry that the car hasn't had regular oil changes etc.

Got any service history or past receipts for work? Look for other signs of careful ownership - what about the tyres? Are they all the same brand/type or are all four different?

[s12vea]

 l viewtopic.php?f=30&t=55190 l

I would take a look at this one

[1979scotte]

http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=55190

I would take a look at this one

+1
Thats the one i had in mind

[tricky1138]

Plenty of good members up your way with tool and readers.
Would double check the codes though.

I agree that with others that if the light is on and they haven't fixed it, then what else has not been fixed.

However if the rest of the car is good, and has a good service history then its up to you.

You can buy a car in great condition with full history and still have problems, plus I know of a member here who has had his light on for over a year!

I've got a code reader if you want confirmation. Also have an O2 socket should you need it.

[stargazer30]

http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=55190

I would take a look at this one

Oh don't worry I have and it looks a bargain (depending on how the bodywork/interior is)  Problem is its a 5 hour drive away   s:( s:(

[1979scotte]

Always worth the effort for a good one.

[stargazer30]

Anyway we can put this one to bed, I won't be buying it after viewing it.

Mechanically it was good, bar the 3 x O2 sensors but for a car described as excellent condition it was at best, average.  lots of Scratches/minor dents and a damaged bumper on the outside and on the inside scratched door cards, broken trims, trims hanging off.  I can fix electrical items and simple mechanicals but I'd not have been able to rescue the bodywork/interior without spending more than it would be worth.

So the hunt continues...

[EDIT] - Above refers to the car with the MIL on not the guy selling his at the mo on the forum!!!!!!!    s:flame: :flame: s:flame:

[thosb10]

I bought mine with the same codes showing on the scanner. Car bought two years ago and the mil light is still on, but goes of with scanner untill restarted but do not find it a bind.

[Anonymous]

I bought mine with the same codes showing on the scanner. Car bought two years ago and the mil light is still on, but goes of with scanner untill restarted but do not find it a bind.

2 years?! Treat your car to some new sensors dude  s:D s:D

[Markb]

£55 for the DOX 0204 (the top two)......£71 for the (DOX 0206) the lower one with longer wire on Amazon at the moment.....Genuine boxed Denso's,bought one for the Rav4 last month.

[HFB]

I'm finding myself with this dilemma now.

102K miles, 2001 model.

Just had a service in June 2015 (not sure as yet what was done - ie major/minor/camchain inspection).

MOT is June - clean with no advisories

The car has had the MIL light on but the garage said it's not an immediate fix requirement and the owner has driven it like this for the past year or so.

What do they actually do?

This car has also had new power steering and linkage replaced, disks and calipers all round, handbrake cable, 3 tyres (3?) and regular services.

Am seriously considering viewing the car as, if it's in good nick, seems quite reasonable (even with the fault) price.

How easy are they to access/replace?

HFB

[Jrichards20]

I can come with you if you like, im only in warlingham. I have a OBD reader and can check out the code. And give the car a look over with you.

[Jrichards20]

In terms of o2 sensors replacing them isn't a problem, wouldn't worry about that at all. What is the service history like? regular oil changes would be very beneficial to engine life.
maybe the tracking is out so 3 tyres needed replacing, could potentially be something worse, but most likely nothing.

[HFB]

I can come with you if you like, I'm only in warlingham. I have a OBD reader and can check out the code. And give the car a look over with you.

You sir are a gent!

Thank you very much for your kind offer.

I have contacted seller again to see if he knows the exact fault code(s), so see what he comes back with.

I have also asked for a realistic opinion as to car condition bodywork and interior on a 1-10 scale.

The guy is based near Camberly, so I don't know if that's too much of a bind to you?

If he comes back with the right answers I will see if you are happy/able to join me.

Thank you again

HFB

[Jrichards20]

Not a problem, that is what the club is all about  s:) s:)  

For a 14 year old car, you cant be expecting miracles, anything over a 6 will probably turn out looking quite nice with a day of detailing.

hmm, camberly is probably just under an hour away from me. I imagine you would be going up the M23 then M25 to go see the car, so you could always pick me up along the way, im pretty close to the M23 junction  s:) s:)  then it wouldn't be any hassle to me  s:) s:)  

have you got a link so we can have a pre inspection on here, usually there is some very good people at judging the cars just by adverts.

[HFB]

OK....just heard back from the chap

Fault code P0420

Had a general service recently. Plugs, air and oil filter.

Not been decatted as far as he knows.

reckons 8.5-9/10 bodywork condition.

[Jrichards20]

P0420 is cat in-efficiency. So could require a new cat, strange with a MOT all went through ok, would have thought it might have failed on emissions, possibly an advisory on the MOT at least? someone else may have some answer to this, but appears a little strange.
Might be a problem in the future, especially if he has a "friendly" MOT guy, then you wont be able to rely on the MOT saying no advisories.

on the plus side, bodywork looks good, lights aren't yellowing, very little corrosion on front wheels, looks unmodded, has bad folding ears (softtop) easy fix but good bargaining power, generally looks in good nick.