Last 9 November, I was hit in the rear by a woman who I am sure was texting (clear daylight, dry pavement). Fortunately, it was in traffic, I was moving, so the differential speed wasn't great, maybe 7 or 8 mph. She hit me straight on in her Geo Metro, which was key because it is low in the front, moreso when panic braking as she was when she looked up (from her IPhone) and saw me there. I slowed because the truck in front of me didn't want to run over a paper bag that had blown into the road.
Her car was disabled, with coolant leaking from somewhere, though the engine was still running. Her hood was bent up as well. For my part, the rear bumper showed that she had hit me. The boot (trunk) lid was unscathed; in fact the only other evident damage was the left tailpipe was slightly bent down from the panel above. Both of my tailpipes had been perfect prior, as had everything else on the car. But my car was still perfectly driveable, with only apparent rear bumper damage.
A key to the story is that about 2 hours later my check engine light illuminated. It had never done so before.
Her insurance accepted responsibility (seems obvious, but not always so). The body shop had a look, did the work, and $2400 later in parts and labor, I looked good. BUT, the check engine light needed diagnosing.
And the answer? The right side oxygen sensor was bad! Apparently there was the slightest movement of the exhaust in the collision. On the left side, there is sufficient room for a slight bump with no ill effect. Or maybe the bend that was fixed took all the energy. On the right, the oxygen sensor in the exhaust abuts very near to the transmission, with no room to move without being ruined. NOTHING else on the exhaust shows even the slightest anomaly, and I told them that perfection was my standard.
So the insurance company for the other driver is now about to be saddled with the cost of an engine pull for replacement of the oxygen sensor on the right. Can't be done any other way. Too bad for them. Leave your phone in your purse!!
For my part, I am arranging for all the usual engine out maintenance items to be done while I have the chance, including but not limited to all oxygen sensors, exhaust temp sensors, valve cover gaskets, the leak prone coolant tube that some smart engineer has upgraded (already have that waiting) and so forth. Thanks to search, I have that handled as far as what to get done. I also have the Wagner intercooler upgrade sitting waiting in the garage. Might as well do that now also. I will pay for all that other stuff on a separate work order.
The ONLY question is this: Would you take a torque converter that has never shown any evidence of failure out and send it to Tozo for rebuild preventatively? I am inclined to do so, partly because I only live about 2 hours from Chicago? It is super easy to get at it while the engine is out, obviously, but would require another engine pull to do later. I am around 50,000 miles now, if that makes any difference. I also change the ATF yearly, no matter the mileage.
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, if i were you i would definitely think of doing it, but then again i am sure you have a warranty, as i've seen it's very common in US, so when the TC fails have the warranty to pay for a new gearbox as well!
Originally Posted by DHall1
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