Land Rover Repair: check engine p1138, fuel air mixture, o2 sensors

Question
Hello,

I own a 1996 land rover sd. I bought it like three months ago it looks and runs great. after a month of driving it one morning the landi would not start, I was begining to hate myself for buying a used car luckely the dealership gave me a 30 day warranty on engine and transmission. I took it to a mechanic and he said it was a fuel relay, it cost me $373.00 to have it replaced. Do you think the price is right? all these key west mechanics are sloppy and rude. After all its done the car runs again but now the check engine light is on I bought the autoxray OBDII scanner because I'm sick of being ripped off. I hooked it up and it pulled a code reading:HO2S Failed To Switch To Lean, Bank "A" code # P1138 so it says from www.iequus.com WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Regards, Silvano

Answer
************************* Follow up **************

Hi Silvano,

sorry for taking so long to reply to your Volunteer rating comments.  Normally, I don't read those.  Modest I guess.

Here is a good website for O2 sensors:

http://www.oxygen-sensor-warehouse.com/

OR

http://www.masterautoparts.com/index.php/cPath/23_1129_124574

OR

http://www.oxygensensors.com/

Regards,

JohnMc

**************** end of followup ****************

Hi Silvano,

yes, $373 was an expensive amount to pay for a fuel relay install.  If your out in the FLA keys...your options are limited.  Consider visiting a LR dealer in Miami and let them know you are the new owner.

There is a fuel tank recall for some series I Disco's (maybe yours).  Land Rover will replace the fuel tank and, during the course of changing the tank, if any component looks like it won't survive the 'transplant', it is changed free of charge.  Cracks can develop along the seams of the plastic tank...not really a fuel feed problem but close enough.

As for your O2 sensor problem...either your Disco is running too rich a fuel:air mixture OR your oxygen sensor (O2) had a sudden jump in voltage.  If the O2 sensor wire is shorting out (a possibility) it can do this.  At this stage of your Disco..you might be wise to change the O2 sensors.  Search the internet for a good price and consider changing them yourself.  IF you can't ... look around for a mechanic you can trust.  

Make sure the mechanic is not ignorant of Land Rover or european cars and trucks.  Ask some probing questions to determine if they can do the work on your vehicle.  

O2 sensors are fairly easy to change, so most DIY'ers and general mechanics can do this.

I too am tired of being ripped off.  I'm a software developer and I do my very best to deliver a product that is top notch.  I take pride in the fact that the work is well done, exceeds my clients expectations and saves them money and time.  Why can't others be like this?  Where I live, it seems everyone is out for themselves. Its a sad reflection and I wish it were different.  At least I'm not going to overcharge you for this advice.  

Come back anytime...sorry no magazines or stale coffee in my waiting room!

Best of luck,
JohnMc

NB:  have you been inside a Land Rover dealership?  I'll say this for most of them, they usually have an expresso/cappucino/coffee machine that would impress anyone in Italy.  Fresh bagels, croissants...and a showroom filled with expensive vehicles.  So that's where some of our money is going.