I am pissed.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 16
From: under a JEGS hat
I am pissed. Ok, I am about ready to break something (either on the car, or on myself) just trying to get this rusted O2 sensor unbolted to replace it. Over the course of 3 days I've spent around 6 hours, two sets of clean clothes, and $30+ in sockets/adapters/penetrating oil trying to get this ******* pre-cat passenger O2 off and its not budging. 
The drivers side came off just fine. I've got a 3.8 V6 with the log manifolds and there is no room to get any good leverage on it. I tried soaking with PB blaster and letting it set for about an hour and that still wasn't enough. I am going to let it sit overnight and try it again early tomorrow morning, but I have a feeling it still won't budge. Any of you guys wanna take a stab at it? If not, what is a good shop that can do it without telling me some B.S. like they have to cut the manifold in half to remove the whole assembly and that it will cost me 3 days and $1000 for replacement parts?
P.S. I'm exaggerating about the 3 days and $1000, but there are lots of places around here that would try to pull some **** like that.
The drivers side came off just fine. I've got a 3.8 V6 with the log manifolds and there is no room to get any good leverage on it. I tried soaking with PB blaster and letting it set for about an hour and that still wasn't enough. I am going to let it sit overnight and try it again early tomorrow morning, but I have a feeling it still won't budge. Any of you guys wanna take a stab at it? If not, what is a good shop that can do it without telling me some B.S. like they have to cut the manifold in half to remove the whole assembly and that it will cost me 3 days and $1000 for replacement parts?P.S. I'm exaggerating about the 3 days and $1000, but there are lots of places around here that would try to pull some **** like that.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 16
From: under a JEGS hat
Tried a 1/2 socket, 3/8ths socket, even a 1/2 12" breaker bar. I couldn't find room to get any larger ones in there and be able to turn it worth a damn... I'll try everything again early tomorrow morning. Some dude said he was able to physically kick his loose, but he had newer style manifolds and may have had more room (tubular > log).
This is rediculous. I feel mechanically handicapped right about now.
This is rediculous. I feel mechanically handicapped right about now.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 16
From: under a JEGS hat
My wrists are now screwed up, my arms are sore and cut up, one t-shirt and two pairs of jeans are now coated in motor oil sludge (it's messy in my parking spot), and now that I think about it - I have spent $65 on each of the 2 sensors, $10 on the penetrating oil, another $20 on socket size adapters, another $20 on the o2 sensor removal sockets, and now I have to spend another $20 on a torch just so I can crawl under the ******* car again (probably burning a body part or two) and bust my *** over a $65 part? I am done.
/rant
well your on the right path, just keep soaking it in penetrating oil, that yellow pst works great, have you gone to the auto parts store to get that o2 socket thats kind of cut in half, start the car and stick a towel in the exhaust, let that bitch idle for awhile waiting for the exhaust to heat up, but stay close to the car to make sure nothing catches on fire, then shut the car off go in thier and try again. you dont need a torch if you can get the exhasut mildly hot. thats going to be your best bet.
and if your forced to go to a shop, take it to a muffler shop, never ever ever ever ever ever go to pep boys for anything but oil's and filters and cleaning supplies
and if your forced to go to a shop, take it to a muffler shop, never ever ever ever ever ever go to pep boys for anything but oil's and filters and cleaning supplies
have you tried an impact drill? i have a cordless 19.2 volt one. if you can get it in there...i can come by with it and we can try it. if you want to PM me your address and phone number and what time youll be around i can try to help.
I used it on my strut bolts, and on my roommates scooter (on a bolt that his buddys couldnt get off on their scooters).
I used it on my strut bolts, and on my roommates scooter (on a bolt that his buddys couldnt get off on their scooters).
Vice grips would be better. If the torch doesn't work you may have to resort to removing the manifold entirely.
I once had an o2 not budge no matter what I did. I even took a 3' breaker bar too it and all it did was snap the sensor, sometimes they rust in there for good.
I once had an o2 not budge no matter what I did. I even took a 3' breaker bar too it and all it did was snap the sensor, sometimes they rust in there for good.
You should see what a bitch it was to do on a Mitsubishi Montero. The fram is right up against it, so you cant get a bite or any leverage whats so ever.
I had to remove the exhaust and take it to my work bench.
You can get a blow torch @ Home Depot in the tools or plumbing section. Get a cheap kind used to solder copper piping. Should be less than $20
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 16
From: under a JEGS hat
Tried heating up the exhaust by running the car for a little (with towel blocking one exhaust outlet) and then trying to remove it. Didn't seem to help removal any. Probably didn't get it hot enough?? (was burning my arms)
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.
You may have to remove the exhaust pipe/manifold to do so like I did on my truck.
I was so pissed off, but that was the way I had to do it.
they were pretty easy to get at on my 3.4 Camaro, haven't had to mess with it yet on the LS1.
I was so pissed off, but that was the way I had to do it.
they were pretty easy to get at on my 3.4 Camaro, haven't had to mess with it yet on the LS1.
Tried heating up the exhaust by running the car for a little (with towel blocking one exhaust outlet) and then trying to remove it. Didn't seem to help removal any. Probably didn't get it hot enough?? (was burning my arms)
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.
Tried heating up the exhaust by running the car for a little (with towel blocking one exhaust outlet) and then trying to remove it. Didn't seem to help removal any. Probably didn't get it hot enough?? (was burning my arms)
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.
What a coincidence! See attached. Lets hope I can remove it with enough time and PB Blaster. On the plus side, I can now easily soak the precise area.