FJ62 failing emissions due to bad O2 sensors

[Jakobud]

I'm looking at buying a 88 FJ62 from someone. According to CarFax it has failed Emissions a couple times. The owner tells me that it's due to faulty O2 sensors. He says they need to be replaced and the check engine light is also on right now, due to the sensors being bad.

Does this sound right? When Emissions are tested, does the tester check the integrity of the o2 sensors? Or are the cars emissions simply going to be poor due to bad sensors and therefore it fails? How does one determine that "replacing the oxygen sensors will make it pass emissions" ?

Is it difficult to swap the oxygen sensors? Can a novice mechanic do it? I'm technically inclined, but don't have tons of car experience. Most complicated things I've done is replace brake pads, changed oil and replaced struts.

 

[gregnash]

I'm looking at buying a 88 FJ62 from someone. According to CarFax it has failed Emissions a couple times. The owner tells me that it's due to faulty O2 sensors. He says they need to be replaced and the check engine light is also on right now, due to the sensors being bad.

Does this sound right? When Emissions are tested, does the tester check the integrity of the o2 sensors? Or are the cars emissions simply going to be poor due to bad sensors and therefore it fails? How does one determine that "replacing the oxygen sensors will make it pass emissions" ?

Is it difficult to swap the oxygen sensors? Can a novice mechanic do it? I'm technically inclined, but don't have tons of car experience. Most complicated things I've done is replace brake pads, changed oil and replaced struts.

A bad O2 sensor will through the emissions off thus causing it to fail. Normally when the emissions check happens if they see any lights on they will fail you right off.

However, without proper diagnosis it could be the O2 sensors along with something else. Take it to a mechanic and have them inspect and attempt to determine why it is failing. If you can get a copy of the emissions report that can tell you a lot about what is going on.

 

[Jakobud]

Where are the o2 sensors located? Is there any type of fj62 diagram that would show me?

 

[gregnash]

Check out ToyoDIY.com, you will have to do some searching under the emissions portion but it should give you a basic idea of where they are. I believe one is in the CAT and for the 62s there is one up stream a bit from the CAT.

 

[Lead Head]

There are two O2s, they are in front of the cat in each bank. They're fairly easy to get to.

You can also pull the codes with a piece of jumper wire, and see why the check engine light is on.

 

[robustbambi]

If the failed emissions is solely based on the o2 sensors, it would most likely be throwing out code 25 and 26. If possible, check the codes to ensure nothing else is screwing with emissions.

The o2 sensors are gonna be a pain to deal with if the nuts and bolts are corroded. Mine were at least. And one is more difficult to get a wrench or socket to, you'll know which when you see it...

Good luck

 

[Super77]

Where do you live that you still have to worry about getting a 25 year old truck emissions-tested?

 

[Jakobud]

I live in Colorado. Unfortunately emissions are still required for it.

 

[Dynosoar]

In California (depending on your County) all vehicles 1976 and newer are subject SMOG testing.

Dyno

 

[gregnash]

In California (depending on your County) all vehicles 1976 and newer are subject SMOG testing.

Dyno

Same goes for the two main counties in NV, rest of us though, we get to go emissions free.

 

[John E]

I hope the previous owner...

of your 62 was smarter than mine was. They took a perfectly good O2 sensor and had it WELDED into the threaded bung on the exhaust pipe.

Guy who fixed it for me was just shakin his head in wonder and amusement at the "repair".

Once that got taken care of, it passed smog here in Los Angeles county with only a minor tune up required.

If you happen to be located in California, have your smog tech do a pre-test before he hooks up the computer that sends the data to Sacramento. Might help you from having your cruiser listed as a gross polluter like mine is now. I wasn't aware of the pre-test in time.