Advice, Please!

[jzmd1]

A coolant overflow damaged an O2 sensor requiring replacement of same. It was suggested to me that all 4 sensors should be replaced simultaneously in my 1997 Boxster (31,700 miles) rather than merely the single, damaged unit otherwise the car would run poorly and a Check Engine light would result. Is this true?

Many thanks for your time and trouble.

[nick49]

Obviously it is in the persons best financial interest to suggest that you replace all four. As I am sure you are aware, most people in business are unscrupulous when it comes to helping someone out. They would rather help out themselves at your expense by preying upon your ignorance. Seems the rule rather than the exception in most all businesses, professional or not. Enough of the rant.

I would suspect that you may be able to clean your O2 sensor. Just over a month ago my 996 suffered from a slipped sleeve and over a gallon of coolant ran out the exhaust. I pulled the exhaust header, cats, and muffler and flushed them with about 10 gallons of hot soft water. New motor now, original cats, mufflers and O2 sensors. Everything is fine. Most O2 sensors that get replaced are actually still good and can be bench tested with a sensative volt meter and a propane torch or heat gun. You need an honest tech!