Camshaft sensor-1999 323i

Dear netters,

I have a 1999 BMW 323i. I recently got the service check engine light
lit, and got the code and looked it up -- it says camshaft sensor is
having a problem. I also took it to a local auto shop, and they also
said the same thing.

I was wondering, $900 repair bill for this problem is sensible. The
mechanic said the parts are inexpensive, but labor takes 8-9 hours,
therefore the high bill. And if it is such a complicated job, should
I take it to the dealer, instead of a local repair shop?

I just did some googling on this, and some said it's easy to replace
it. Is that true?

Thanks!

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:40:43 -0500, "
> wrote:

>On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:34:44 -0700 (PDT), WK2 >
>wrote:
>
>>Dear netters,
>>
>>I have a 1999 BMW 323i. I recently got the service check engine light
>>lit, and got the code and looked it up -- it says camshaft sensor is
>>having a problem. I also took it to a local auto shop, and they also
>>said the same thing.
>>
>>I was wondering, $900 repair bill for this problem is sensible. The
>>mechanic said the parts are inexpensive, but labor takes 8-9 hours,
>>therefore the high bill. And if it is such a complicated job, should
>>I take it to the dealer, instead of a local repair shop?
>>
>>I just did some googling on this, and some said it's easy to replace
>>it. Is that true?
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>Here's a page describing how to do it. But be aware of the exhaust
>camshaft position sensor which is a tad tougher to reach, from what I
>read about it.
>http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...php?p=13389080
>
>
>http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...aft-Sensor.htm
>
>The part is not that expensive
>
>http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...294967267+6858
>
>The dealer is going to charge for the labor, which indeed can take
>many hours.

This is a 30 minute project evenif you fumble around for a few
minutes. There mgiht be an exhaust sensor too and it comes out with
just a socket wrench to remove the securing fastener. It tis located
on the front of the engine, left hand side just below the valve cover.

RJD.

RJD > wrote:

>On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:40:43 -0500, "
> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:34:44 -0700 (PDT), WK2 >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>Dear netters,
>>>
>>>I have a 1999 BMW 323i. I recently got the service check engine light
>>>lit, and got the code and looked it up -- it says camshaft sensor is
>>>having a problem. I also took it to a local auto shop, and they also
>>>said the same thing.
>>>
>>>I was wondering, $900 repair bill for this problem is sensible. The
>>>mechanic said the parts are inexpensive, but labor takes 8-9 hours,
>>>therefore the high bill. And if it is such a complicated job, should
>>>I take it to the dealer, instead of a local repair shop?
>>>
>>>I just did some googling on this, and some said it's easy to replace
>>>it. Is that true?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>
>>Here's a page describing how to do it. But be aware of the exhaust
>>camshaft position sensor which is a tad tougher to reach, from what I
>>read about it.
>>http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...php?p=13389080
>>
>>
>>http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...aft-Sensor.htm
>>
>>The part is not that expensive
>>
>>http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...294967267+6858
>>
>>The dealer is going to charge for the labor, which indeed can take
>>many hours.
>
>This is a 30 minute project evenif you fumble around for a few
>minutes. There mgiht be an exhaust sensor too and it comes out with
>just a socket wrench to remove the securing fastener. It tis located
>on the front of the engine, left hand side just below the valve cover.
>
>RJD.

I did both in less than an hour. The exhaust sensor was easier than the intake.