Help removing oxygen sensor

[jesse.rizzo]

I have finally decided to stop procrastinating and replace my oxygen sensor on my 2001 Accent. I bought the new one online, and went and borrowed the special socket from O'Reillys. But the old sensor won't come off. It won't even budge a tiny bit. I've sprayed a ridiculous amount of liquid penetrant, and banged on it for quite a while, but still nothing.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Daox]

Get a longer breaker bar? Or, try heating it up real hot with a propane or mapp gas torch. This tends to break up the rust.

[wagonman76]

Not sure what you're using now, but an 18" breaker bar will do wonders. Not so you can reef on it and break it off, but take it easy and it gives you an amazing amount of control that you can't get with a regular short ratchet. I removed an original sensor from a 93 Corsica a few years back like that.

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by wagonman76

Not sure what you're using now, but an 18" breaker bar will do wonders. Not so you can reef on it and break it off, but take it easy and it gives you an amazing amount of control that you can't get with a regular short ratchet. I removed an original sensor from a 93 Corsica a few years back like that.

I second this. in fact I think the longer the better for breaker bars. light pressure on a very long lever is much less likely to break off bolts than pounding on a short lever. if its not easy with an 18" bar slide a 3 foot long pipe over it. Just pull lightly on it though.

once its out put a little anti-seize on the threads of the new one.
Good luck.

[Sandy]

The replacement manual for mine,
says to warm the car up a bit, 5 minutes,
then take remove the sensor,
but watch out for the heat.
This loosens it up a bit,
as the hole in the header expands when heated,
and the O2 sensor doesn't have the time to expand as much.

[jesse.rizzo]

Thanks for the help. I did manage to get my hands on a about 3 foot length of pipe that fit nicely over the end of the wrench, and it came off fine. But I've got a few new problems detailed in this thread. More oxygen sensor problems