Help removing oxygen sensor - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

jesse.rizzo · 06-02-2009, 10:01 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 10:49 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 11:27 PM

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 · 06-03-2009, 05:13 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-04-2009, 10:07 AM

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 · 06-04-2009, 12:47 PM

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. http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post107997

mikeross · 03-18-2010, 02:17 AM

I'm having trouble removing the oxygen sensor on my car too. Probably I'll try to heat it up first just like the suggestion here in the forums. I hope I can get it done without my hands getting burnt.

Oer Al · 05-28-2010, 04:13 PM

I just removed the front lambda sensor in my wife's 2003 Skoda Octavia 1U 1.6mpi w/BFQ engine. The sensor sits between the firewall and the engine and is not in an easy position. The special deep socket just slipped so that was unusable, even after thorough heating using a propane blow torch. I solved the problem using a block wrench attached to a motorcycle chain and a 2 ton ratchet strap tied to a tree. I attached the block wrench to the sensor, pointing downwards with the motorcycle chain attached to it. That chain was pulled through the suspension bits so that the end stuck out in front of the front wheel. I attached the ratchet strap to the chain, tensioned it by hand and started ratcheting. After three pulls on the ratchet the sensor came loose without any damage to the thread. This was the original sensor on a car which has done just shy of 170.000 km.

If the sensor had not come off just by pulling it using the strap I would have started hammering it lightly while under tension. As the thing gave up before that was necessary I don't know if it would have done the trick but I guess it would, I've used that trick on other stuck fasteners.

drossdarkblood · 05-28-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

After reading all the issues i think that 25-30 dollar charge my exhaust man wants is worth it LoL.

Oer Al · 05-28-2010, 05:38 PM

Well, yes and no.

Yes in the sense that for a single occurrence it might be worth paying someone to skip having to go through this experience.

No because you won't gain the experience. If you want to master your technology you would do well to have a go at it yourself so you know what is involved in removing one of these. That experience will come in handy the next time you are confronted with a similar situation. That next time there might not be an exhaust man to take your burden for a small fee...