Lambda sensor (plus indy advice)

[clonmult]

Have had the "check engine" light on the last few weeks on the 316Ti. Picked up a handy little bluetooth OBDII dongle and have the error code ... P0030. Bank 1 sensor 1, I believe this is the lambda sensor (pre-cat)?

Likely to try a local independent for the work - either one down the road near Hartley Wintney or Munich Motors in Wokingham - any feedback on either of these?

[andyiley]

It is a VERY easy DIY task if you want to try it.

[clonmult]

I am tempted, but don't have any way of lifting the car up other than the jack - don't tend to trust those - so access is awkward. Did look at euro car parts and they had about 6 different versions of the sensor listed.

Unless I could use the kerb outside the house and try to crawl under?

[andyiley]

It is worth a look under the bonnet, lots of cars have the pre-cat sensor accessible under the bonnet.

[clonmult]

andyiley said:

It is worth a look under the bonnet, lots of cars have the pre-cat sensor accessible under the bonnet.

Under bonnet is a sea of plastic on that car. Amazing that they manage to make a 1.8 use so much space.

I'll have a look, but not sure what I'd be looking for. From the pictures I've seen of the sensor, it would just be a cable leading into some part of the exhaust system.

[andyiley]

That pretty much describes it, it is about the size of a spark plug & is in the exhaust.

A quick look on realoem.com shows it just under the manifold if I have the right car.

[clonmult]

andyiley said:

That pretty much describes it, it is about the size of a spark plug & is in the exhaust.

A quick look on realoem.com shows it just under the manifold if I have the right car.

I'd forgotten about RealOEM; it was invaluable when trying to figure out the rear speaker access (and it should have had a note of "don't bother" for replacing the rear speakers).

It is just before the first cat at the end of the downpipe. Will have to delve around underneath the car. And darned, it isn't exactly a cheap part, but won't take long to fit.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AT52...