1995 Toyota Avalon Exhaust System

Tiny
AHIKODI
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
Hello,

My 1995 Toyota Avalon, according to my mechanic needs a front pipe and a rear oxygen sensor. There is some part of the front pipe that has come apart due to rusting and my mechanic says the entire pipe (system) has to be replaced. The cost estimate is at 1600.00 including labor. He says that for vehicles that are 96 and newer, you cannot use an After market part because that will cause the check engine light to come back on. But since I have a 95 model, it can probably be tried out as a cheaper option in my case. The oxygen sensor he say would cost about 200 bucks including labor ($80/hr). What are my options here? Does the whole pipe have to be replaced? Is the price quote valid? Any help would be appreciated.
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 AT 10:31 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
The very best advise I can give you at this point is; find a different mechanic. A 1995 Toyota Avalon with 117K miles is barely worth $1600. You definatly need to get a second opinion.
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Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
ROTHMILA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I just replaced the 'front pipe with cat' on my 2000 avalon - the pipe with gaskets cost $289 usd, shipping cost $30.

Just find someone with a hoist and they should be able to install it relatively easily.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
AVALON1995
  • MEMBER
  • 121 POSTS
What are the torque specs for the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors?
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

The torque specs on the oxygen sensors:
Sensor torque : 44 Nm (31 ft.lb)

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-oxygen-sensor

Let me know of any questions.

Thank you.
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
AVALON1995
  • MEMBER
  • 121 POSTS
Thank you very much for all the info you supplied. I'm having a major dilemma removing the downstream oxygen sensor. After repeated attempts to remove it with an oxygen sensor tool/wrench, it became totally rounded off and is extremely seized as well. Attached are pictures of its current condition. Can you recommend any strategy or method to successfully remove the O2 sensor?

Thank you!

Cheers!
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Have you tried to heat up the pipe and use a vice grip to loosen it?
That might be the last option besides cutting the pipe off on both side of the oxygen sensor port and install a new adapter (see picture for reference).
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
AVALON1995
  • MEMBER
  • 121 POSTS
I have tried a vice grip and a pipe wrench, but it didn't work out. Applying heat is going to be my next attempt. Would applying heat make a major impact in removing the O2 sensor?
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Applying heat is about the last option if you were to remove. Just be careful when you attempt that. And you want to heat up the pipe and the thread on the pipe, not the O2 sensor that is left in there.
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
AVALON1995
  • MEMBER
  • 121 POSTS
For how long should I apply heat?
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Not very long. It will depend on how you are applying. If you are using a torch it will require much less time than a lighter. Idea is that you want to heat up the surface enough to remove the plug. First try applying for several seconds then try to remove it. Often taping the surrounding area with a hammer can loosen the thread do to vibration.

Here is a helpful video:
https://youtu.be/WTOdk41J2DM
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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 2:48 PM

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