O2 Sensor Removal

[robb15033]

I don't ever remember giving up on any job ever while working on a car. This one has me by the balls. It's cut and dry-The O2 sensor nut is there in the bung, it's semi accessible, but I can not get a socket to cover it fully and once I do have it on there, I have about one inch laterally to ratchet it loose. I am determined to do it myself at home without access to a impact wrench (although I HIGHLY doubt any type could fit up in there). I have gathered a large assortment of ratchets, socket pry bars, attachments that swivel 360 degrees, 7/8" and 21mm sockets, and a piece of pipe. Tomorrow is a new day, with some more tool attachments, and I'll give it another try. I am going up to the garage right now (I'm at work) and spray it down with some Croil Oil.
It's passenger side upstream sensor, single port, V6- 1997.
Any suggestions welcome, PLEASE. Thanks again- Robb

 

[Musturd]

Use a wrench and undo it

 

[robb15033]

Use a wrench and undo it

Right! Never thought of that one, thanks.

 

[Rice_slayer]

Soak it in PB blaster/liquid wrench, let sit, use a wrench or a specialty 02 sensor socket with a line cut in the side for the wires. They are stubborn, but with the right tools, it can be done painlessly

 

[Musturd]

Wrench it shouldn't be a issue I've never tryed a socket but I Also never heard of this fancy socket you speak of

 

[robb15033]

Thanks. I am soaking it with spray Croil Oil (Simular to PB Blaster) and I cut the wires, broke off the ceramic stem so it's now just the nut exposed. I'll keep at it. It'll come off. It is just so close to the manifold flange(taking away the opportunity to get a wrench on all of the sides of the nut) and in a very tight spot you can barely get the width of your hand up in there sideways. Once a ratchet or wrench is a hold of it, you have about an inch to push/pull to loosen it. Same shit as many others, just has a few extra pieces and parts getting in the way of completely putting a wrench or socket on it cleanly. You can only get a small part of it in your grasps with any tool.

 

[g36 monkey]

Glad my whole mid pipe was out when I changed mine. One of my cats had gotten so hot and melted down, it would have been impossible to get that sensor out, much less put the other one back in.

 

[robb15033]

Yep, I can believe that. This one has been in there for much more than 200K miles and it is in there real tight. It kicked my ass again this morning. Unbelievable. Never has something given me such a whooped feeling. Something has got to give. I'm just going to find myself some power tools and let 'em rip. It's the only way. Impact wrenches, here I come.

 

[g36 monkey]

If your exhaust was done up nicely you should be able to drop the mid pipe pretty quick.

 

[red95r]

Yeah I would've dropped the mid by now.

 

[ivan12]

My vote goes for midpipe drop

 

[infamous209]

torch and a 22 wrench heat it up and start wrenchin, downside is threads may be jacked up good luck!

 

[Boostaholic2184]

I didnt see any mention of beer drinking and expletives....this always helps. But seriously, leave the midpipe on unless you have a heavy friend to come hold it still while you try to wrestle it loose. Do you have shorty headers or longtubes? I've had good luck putting the 02 socket on the sensor and turning the socket with a box wrench. Try that and use your foot as the fulcrum to bust that bitch loose....while shouting cuss words. Works every time.

 

[robb15033]

Thanks everyone. I am taking the advice of all of you. This weekend will include beer, cussing, torches, disassembling, impact wrenches, and the works. I'm headed over to my brother n law's house where that all can be initiated. It will be done. Thanks.

 

[g36 monkey]

lmao about the cussing. I don't cuss, idk how anything gets done.

Using "lmao" doesn't count, that means I'm actually chuckling. Lol is useless to me ;p

 

[Rice_slayer]

You can't be a successful mechanic/service tech. without swearing, believe me, I'm learning from several Ford trained journeymen. . It's just part of the of the job, learn to love it haha.