wow curly, good to know about the oem sensor at NAPA.

Thinking about changing mine out at 250000kms....  though I may try to
recondition them as described (i think) on Tegger.com, boiling in lime away?
Anyone try that successfully?

To the OP, before laying out that kinda cash, I would definitely have gotten
a second opinion.  Also, was it the primary (top) or secondary (bottom)
sensor?  Primary would definitly be more important to change right aways, but
you could get away with driving with a bad secondary for a while.

I had a code pop up on my 98 civic at 85000kms....  my shop did the
responsible thing.... They checked it and the code read Primary O2 sensor.
Then they cleared it and said to come back if it reoccured.  It did come back
in a day or so, but this time it read bad Catalytic converter.  They replaced
the cat after verifying on warranty, and tested both O2 sensors before
putting back in to the new Catalytic Converter/Exhaust Manifold assembly.  (
$800 OEM part!)  A good shop would only charge one diagnostic fee for the
above if not covered on warranty.

On a side note, I am about 99% sure that the above situation was caused by
some bad gas.  I was in Regina Saskatchewan, and filled up at a station my
friend recommended, as they gave a cash discount.  First clue shoulda been
that it smelled like nail polish remover while refueling....  The car bucked
and complained the whole way back home, and I only got about 280kms on that
tank of fuel.  Filled up at the Esso in Virden, and it was like a new car
again.  About a week later, the Check Engine light came on.

Perhaps the same happened to your mom's car?  Bad gas is more common than
most people think....

t

This was at the Dealershiip where she bought he car.  I probably wouldnt be
too upset, butthe dang car only has 14500 miles, and yes it is a 2000.