Is it worth it?

05 Trailblazer LT
4.2
2wd

I have an o2 sensor out and I could stand not spending the amount the dealership wants to fix it. Is it worth trying to replace myself....I am somewhat mechanically inclined.....or is it really hard to get to? It is the bank 1 sensor. I am not exactly for sure where that is at. If someone could clue me in on the location too...well that would be great. I am more than appreciative of all help.

normally they are not that bad at all. dont know what type of car/truck it is, but go to the local parts store and get a book for 20 buck and it will show you right were it is at and how to get to it.

First step is to know the exact code. The atlas 4.2L has only 2 oxygen sensors. One under the hood on the exhaust manifold and one under the truck, downstream of the catalytic converter. I doubt you have a 'bad' O2 sensor on a 2005, plus you might have warranty remaining.

Joel

The code is P0410. The dealership is saying it is a faulty O2 sensor. I was a little surprised myself about it being an o2 sensor. That is the information I am going off of as to what the problem is. The warranty is over by 1700 miles. That figures. I have a complaint in at Chevy about it. I am going to wait until that is resolved before I make a final decision on if I am going to mess with it or let them. Thanks for the info.

The code is P0410. The dealership is saying it is a faulty O2 sensor. I was a little surprised myself about it being an o2 sensor. That is the information I am going off of as to what the problem is. The warranty is over by 1700 miles. That figures. I have a complaint in at Chevy about it. I am going to wait until that is resolved before I make a final decision on if I am going to mess with it or let them. Thanks for the info.
A faulty Pre catalyst O2 sensor could cause a P0410.
Just like any other warranty (try getting your computer repaired under warranty 2 days after it goes out), once the warranty period is up, you pay the repair charges.
Depending on how loyal a customer is to my dealer or product, I will consider repairs under warranty as a "goodwill" jesture for those who are just out of their factory warranty period.

P0410 = Secondary Air Injection System Malfunction
The few times I've seen that code crop up, the cause was the AIR system check valve bolted to the head above the exhaust manifold. They load up with corrosion/debris and wont seat. A non-seating check valve will back flow exhaust condensation into the electric AIR blower and cost you more bucks. The check vlv is a ~$100 dealer only part and 5min r/r.

Joel

On your warranty is it the regular warranty or our emissions warranty. The warranty book in my trailblazer list the O2 sensor as part of the emission warranty wich is 100,000 on certain parts. I have a 2004 Ext and the warranty books list emission warranty by emissions parts ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 depending on the part.

mydeez, the warranty booklet is very easy to misread. There are very few items covered above 3/36. O2 sensors and the AIR system [on 2004+] are covered for 3/36.

Joel

I live in California and there is a section in the warranty book about California emissions and warranty. The warranty specifically states

For cars and trucks with light duty or medium duty emissions:
For 3 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first
- If any emission related part on your vehicle is defective GM will repair or replace it.
The O2 sensor is listed under this section. However ther are some things listed with a 70,000 7yr warranty such as Distributor, throtle body, intake manifold. There is some items that are listed as 80,000 8yr such as ECM, VCM, Transmission control module , catalytic converter

There is an exclussion statement about abuse, tampering, neglect and improper maintenance and items requiring scheduled replacement which is probably the catch 22 dealer out.