Code P0139

Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 KIA SPECTRA
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
Hello. My car needs some repair work besides routine maintenance. I am debating whether I should repair my car or get a new car. I really don’t want a car payment, however I don’t want to keep putting money into this car when it is possible that it might quit soon. The car runs fine. Attached is the paperwork for what my car needs. So besides routine maintenance I have had the radiator and 02 sensor has been replaced. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. I am thinking that I should be able to still get more mileage out of the car. Thanks
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 4:37 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
85TNGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Front brake pad and rotors you can buy, less then $150.00, gasket transmission less then $30.00, the catalytic converter mabe used $125.00 or new after market less then $300.00, if you big on this coronavirus and work situation being wise with the pennies you have. I Think it's worth working on. What's listed the repairs would be done by me if it was me knowing what I no about cars now.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hello. So do you think I should purchase the parts myself and have a mechanic do the installation? Would that be cheaper than going through the dealer? Also, in your opinion do you think I will be able to get a lot of miles yet out of the car? Thanks.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

First mistake you made was taking it to a dealership. Dealerships will always charge the highest amount for parts and repairs. As far as brakes go you must realize that they will always be a routine maintenance item on whatever car is driven. The code referred to as P0139 is the heated o2 sensor. You stated it was replaced before.I am curious to know why they consider the exhaust manifold-catalytic converter as the cause. You say the car runs great so I'm curious to known if there is a malfunction, leak, damage to the assembly? Can you hear a leak? Does your car sound loud? The assembly can be costly due it being both the exhaust manifold and converter assembly all in one. Yes, They can be pricey.
With that being said yes, that bill is very steep. You would find a better price going to a reputable repair shop in your area as opposed to a Kia dealership. I've attached pictures below showing what the manifold-converter assembly looks like and circled in red. The smaller red circle is the heated o2 sensor which mounts inside the manifold assembly and you have previously replaced. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Do you recommend a online shop to buy the parts I need? The catalytic converter I am looking for aftermarket instead of manufacturer because it would be cheaper. Thanks
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hi Danny. The downstream 02 sensor has been replaced several times and the check engine light came back on and that is when I was told about the catalytic converter. I don’t hear a leak and it does not sound loud. I was told that transmission leaking in the pan gasket.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Are you certain it needs a catalytic converter? Any local muffler-exhaust shop can test to see if they are defective. Aftermarket converters are just as good as manufacturer. You cannot buy a used converter either. If you live in California it has to be a California approved replacement. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hi Danny. I’m taking my car to Monroe tomorrow for a free exhaust and muffler check. Hopefully I can get some more insight. I will let you know what they say. Thanks.
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 5:54 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Let me know the results. Hope things turn out in your favor.

Danny-
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 2:23 AM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hi Danny. I took my car to Monroe for an exhaust check. I was told that the catalytic converter is rusty, but if the catalytic converter was the issue then the car should show a catalytic converter code. The code is P0139, which is slow response 02 sensor. I’ve changed the sensor 3 times and the CEL has come back on. Twice an aftermarket sensor and then a manufacturer sensor, which is in the car now. So the man at Monroe said it is the 02 sensor and not the catalytic converter. What do you think? I have no idea what to do. Any help is appreciated.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
85TNGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
The check engine light may erroneously illuminate, signifying a fault with the front oxygen sensor when no fault exists. Replacing the electrical connections at the oxygen sensor with a repair kit available from Kia will commonly fix this problem.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
So my question is I have mentioned that to the dealer before. Isn’t that something they should automatically check? Are they aware that is a common occurrence? I just can’t believe I can’t get a straight answer on what the issue is. How much would it be to change the electrical connections do you think? Thank you for your help. Sorry to vent I’ve been dealing with this issue off and on since December.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
85TNGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Did a search less then $75.00.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
85TNGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Don't like seeing people get took advantage of, they need to test that harness if the o2 is on top of engine this should take less then 15 minutes.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Thanks for your help.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

I've attached below the testing information that is related to that particular (P0139) code. These are step by step picture instructions that should be checked out by a reputable shop. You never mentioned if any places you took your car have noticed an exhaust leak. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
ANGELA ROSSI
  • MEMBER
  • 30 POSTS
Hello. I asked the dealer in the past about an exhaust leak and they said they didn’t see anything. Most recently I was told it is leaking transmission fluid in the pan gasket. Would that have an impact?
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

No, that would not affect the code. Have someone look at the diagnostic instructions I've attached above. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 AT 6:22 PM

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