Subaru Repair: 99 Subaru Outback Sensor replacement, subaru outback, o2 sensors

Question
My '99 Outback will periodically experience reduced power while I am accelerating then kick back into full acceleration with a jump.  This isn't a daily occurrence, however, every few weeks while driving on the highway I will notice a loss of acceleration power.  

My check engine light is on and I have been told by a local technician that it is related to the CO2 sensor and that if I experience a loss of power (as I am) it will need to be replaced.  I am curious if that is an accurate diagnosis and would prefer to do it myself if it is feasible.  

I am wondering how to go about replacing that particular sensor in my Outback if possible.

Thanks.

Answer
Hello Paul,

I think you mean O2 sensor, yes that can cause an issue.  But I have no way of knowing if yours has failed, there are a multitude of possibilities. There is no way of knowing if the diagnoses is accurate based on the information you can provide me, a code number, voltage readings from the 02 sensor, load data, short and long term fuel trim readings are a portion of what are needed to make a diagnoses on an O2 sensor code, if that's the code you indeed have.

Here is how it should work, you pay a GOOD shop to diagnose the car, they diagnose it and you authorize the repairs.  The repairs are made and the car runs properly again and there is some sort of a warranty of that code, and problem.

Plan b, is the car is scanned for a code and whatever code is stored thats what is fixed, but usually with a low repair rate.  An O2 sensor code does not mean the 02 sensor has failed.

Your Outback has 2 O2 sensors, they are located in the exhaust one before or in the primary catalyst one after the primary catalyst, usually the front O2 sensor has more to do with driveability issues than the rear.

I understand you wanting to make the repairs yourself, but there are somethings you will be at a disadvantage trying your self, unless the diagnoses is accurate you wont get anywhere replacing the O2 sensor, and there is just no way from here I can advise you on that.

Justin

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/