stupid O2 sensors...
09-07-2009, 07:20 PM
#1
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stupid O2 sensors... Soooo i'm trying to remove the old oxygen sensors from a used set of Pacesetter mid-length headers i just installed and i can't get the damn things out. Before i installed the headers i tried to removed them with 2 different special O2 sockets, which would just start to strip it. Then i tried the closed end of a wrench, no luck. Then i put them on a vice and clamped it on there nice and tight and spun the whole header with the sensor clamped and it would just strip it again. Then i tried installing the headers (that was a long night) and running the car to heat them up and then trying the special socket and wrench to break them loose, no luck. All this time i've been spraying them with PB Blaster and WD-40.
I just don't understand why people don't take 10 seconds to put a little anti-seize on the threads before they wrench in the O2's and save the next guy hours and hours of frustration. What are my options at this point?
I just don't understand why people don't take 10 seconds to put a little anti-seize on the threads before they wrench in the O2's and save the next guy hours and hours of frustration. What are my options at this point?
09-07-2009, 07:42 PM
#2
They're like spark plugs....I have no idea why people put them in so tight. 02 sensors only need to be snugged up. Mine go nowhere and I can put a crescent wrench on them and tap them loose with one bump of the palm of my hand. Plus if you twist the wires the opposite way they screw in, that will keep them from coming loose if they do break free and want to start coming out.
But I was gonna say vice grips for you. Are you saying the sensor bolt area is stripped?
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But I was gonna say vice grips for you. Are you saying the sensor bolt area is stripped?
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09-07-2009, 09:47 PM
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I think i've tried vice grips but i'll try it again. Maybe i can get my handy copper pipe around the end of the vice grips and get some more leverage on them. The sensor bolts aren't totally stripped but i did round the edges a little. The problem is i broke off the ends of the sensors so i could try to get a regular long socket on them and one of the sensors is destroyed enough so exhaust leaks out. I'm almost considering having new thread holes welded into a new spot on the header or y-pipe so i can just stick the new ones into a different hole.
09-07-2009, 10:21 PM
#5
I think i've tried vice grips but i'll try it again. Maybe i can get my handy copper pipe around the end of the vice grips and get some more leverage on them. The sensor bolts aren't totally stripped but i did round the edges a little. The problem is i broke off the ends of the sensors so i could try to get a regular long socket on them and one of the sensors is destroyed enough so exhaust leaks out. I'm almost considering having new thread holes welded into a new spot on the header or y-pipe so i can just stick the new ones into a different hole.
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09-07-2009, 10:32 PM
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Problem is that would cost $, which is what i'm trying to avoid (see sig!). Luckily i'm taking a welding class right now but i won't be able to work on my own projects for 10 weeks.
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09-08-2009, 02:17 PM
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I'll take a torch to them and see what happens. I really hope i don't have to remove the headers again to get the O2's out!
03-19-2010, 11:14 AM
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I feel your pain bro. I spent 4 hrs trying to get 1 O2 sensor out last night. I tried everything, 7/8" box wrench, O2 sensor socket, breaker bar, then I got so irritated and broke off the O2 sensor casing, cut the wires off and put a 7/8" socket and 1/2" ratchet on it and still nothing....grrrrrr. The entire time I had wind blowing dirt in my eyes and it was freezing cold out. I did have to start the car time and time again to keep the exhaust hot. Hours later with no energy left (and a couple of exhaust burns)....lol I got it out. The problem is that when I got the sensor out, the bung was totally stripped. I went to Auto Zone to check out the heli-coils, dude, the are $30 each. That's ridiculous for a damn tap and little coil. I called the hardware stores and nobody carries a tap big enough. The most reasonable muffler shop in town wants $45 to do the job.... that's the same amount I paid for the O2 sensor.
03-19-2010, 01:03 PM
#17
I feel your pain bro. I spent 4 hrs trying to get 1 O2 sensor out last night. I tried everything, 7/8" box wrench, O2 sensor socket, breaker bar, then I got so irritated and broke off the O2 sensor casing, cut the wires off and put a 7/8" socket and 1/2" ratchet on it and still nothing....grrrrrr. The entire time I had wind blowing dirt in my eyes and it was freezing cold out. I did have to start the car time and time again to keep the exhaust hot. Hours later with no energy left (and a couple of exhaust burns)....lol I got it out. The problem is that when I got the sensor out, the bung was totally stripped. I went to Auto Zone to check out the heli-coils, dude, the are $30 each. That's ridiculous for a damn tap and little coil. I called the hardware stores and nobody carries a tap big enough. The most reasonable muffler shop in town wants $45 to do the job.... that's the same amount I paid for the O2 sensor.
The easiest fix is new threaded holes. Just gotta find a shop that doesn't rip people off I guess.
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03-19-2010, 09:45 PM
#18
I feel your pain bro. I spent 4 hrs trying to get 1 O2 sensor out last night. I tried everything, 7/8" box wrench, O2 sensor socket, breaker bar, then I got so irritated and broke off the O2 sensor casing, cut the wires off and put a 7/8" socket and 1/2" ratchet on it and still nothing....grrrrrr. The entire time I had wind blowing dirt in my eyes and it was freezing cold out. I did have to start the car time and time again to keep the exhaust hot. Hours later with no energy left (and a couple of exhaust burns)....lol I got it out. The problem is that when I got the sensor out, the bung was totally stripped. I went to Auto Zone to check out the heli-coils, dude, the are $30 each. That's ridiculous for a damn tap and little coil. I called the hardware stores and nobody carries a tap big enough. The most reasonable muffler shop in town wants $45 to do the job.... that's the same amount I paid for the O2 sensor.
I couldn't find a single exhaust shop in Chicago that would do the work and all wanted to replace my pipes - so I did it myself. Took forever.
03-19-2010, 11:52 PM
#19
Did you heat the headers up until they turned cherry red before you tried to break the o2 loose? I've had some PITA o2's but I used MAP gas and get the exhaust cherry red (takes a few minutes of constant heat) and they usually break right loose. I would somehow try to get the header in the vice, then heat the surrounding area up until it turns red then put your o2 socket on and hit it loose with a hammer.
04-21-2010, 10:39 AM
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I had an exhaust shop put a hole in my exhaust after my merge so a scan tool can be attached. Its threaded the same size as an 02 sensor. They charged me $10.00, it took him maybe 3 minutes.
The easiest fix is new threaded holes. Just gotta find a shop that doesn't rip people off I guess.
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The easiest fix is new threaded holes. Just gotta find a shop that doesn't rip people off I guess.
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