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Replacing O2 sensors

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Posted by: uxler

Any suggestions or advice on how to replace O2 sensors? Best way to get to them? Tools? Do i need to drop the exhaust? Car is on jack stands and these things lookm impossible to get to.

Posted by: unity

Dropping exhaust is easiest, but often that can open a can of rust worms.

Places like Autozone "rent" O2 removal tools that will help a lot. You pay a deposit and get it back after you return the tools.

Just disconnect the wires first and go from there.

Posted by: uxler

whats the best way to get to them? can i come in through the fender wells or do i go in from underneath? can it be done without dropping the exhaust?

Posted by: Nitrobasher

dropping the exhaust is not hard as long as you have basic tools, and jack stands.

My plan is to find some O2 simulators, to "trick" the computer and pass emissions with flying colors.

I believe you can buy em on www.summitracing.com

Posted by: uxler

Cant seem to get anywhere with this. Currently trying to get the drivers side sensor out and it seems nearly impossible. Getting desperate. Havent tried using the O2 socket but doesnt seem like itd make a difference.

Posted by: Frogman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrobasher

My plan is to find some O2 simulators, to "trick" the computer and pass emissions with flying colors.

Bad idea, skippy. The O2 Sensors are VITAL to your car's computer calculations for ignition timing and fuel delivery.

If you get a set of "simulators" and you put them on there, the computer will base its' calculations on the data they feed it. Which will always be constant whether you're romping on it, or just idling it... not exactly a smart thing to do unless you want to grenade your motor.

Yes, you can get a set of post cat O2 simulators for the post cat sensors, but those aren't really O2 sensors. they are there to make sure the catalyst system works as intended.

Putting the simulators upfront and replacing the main O2 sensors? Let us know how many miles you go before the engine goes boom.

Posted by: MediumD

Last weekend I tried replacing the O2s on my 94. I'd have dropped the exhaust, but it seems that the passenger side O2 sensor itself is in the way of the damn bolt for the flange. I'm gonna call a couple shops and see how much they want to relieve me of this headache. Funny I replaced the subframe on my ETC (which means removing and separating engine, trans, steering rack, other stuff,) and yet a damn O2 sensor on this car is enough to make me call a shop.

Nitrobasher you do know you still need the front 2 O2 sensors right? O2 sims can get rid of the rear 2, post-cat sensors, but the front 2 are necissary for the car to go into closed loop..

Posted by: Frogman

If he didn't know, he does now.

Posted by: Nitrobasher

I didnt know guys, thanks for the imput before i went and wasted 80 bucks...

Figures some f-body guys said that it was a good idea

o well, just a thought, the more ya know

lol

Posted by: uxler

Im guessing not many of you have replaced your O2 sensors since only a couple have chimed in. If you havent, pray they last as long as possible and count on paying someone to do it when the time comes. DOING IT YOURSELF ISNT WORTH IT! I worked on mine with a friend who is a mechanical engineer, mechanic and lifetime lincoln enthusiast with an endless supply of tools and equipment. After 9 hours of fabricating "special tools", welding, grinding, cutting, cranking, thinking and ultimately cursing like sailors we gave up. Granted, my car was a far more difficult task than most would be due to the SEVERE rust underneath. The bolts, flanges and exhaust were basically one. With a lift and a bigger budget (for new exhaust etc) we could have finished the task but that just wasnt in the cards. Its hard to beleive that a pair of O2 sensor, which im not even 100% positive are bad, would cause me to consider selling the car but it certainly has. With the prospective cost of a shop cutting, dropping and replacing some or all of the exhaust and replacing the 02 sensors, it almost seems like id be throwing good money after bad at 172K miles. Im about ready to start over with a gen2!

Posted by: MonsterMark

Quote:

Originally Posted by uxler

Im guessing not many of you have replaced your O2 sensors since only a couple have chimed in.

I didn't chime in because I was too busy laughing. Doing the 02 sensors in the driveway without a lift. Oooo the pain.

You got the right idea on buying that nice Texas or Florida 2nd Gen that has never seen snow or salt. That's what I did.

The drivers side O2 on my Gen 1 almost killed me a few years back.

Posted by: vr4

for the O2 sims it all depends on the year. 96+ if you are gutting cats then you will need/want them. pre 96 doesnt have downstream O2s so you dont need them.

Posted by: JMiles_T

Try spraying PB Blaster on the before you go after them. I dropped the exhaust for my passenger side sensor; it made it easier for me. I didn't mind having to put it back up.

The driver side was stuck on there good. Dropping the exhaust won't help with that side. You just have to stay on it till you get it loose. My O2 sensor tools didn't help with that (not enough room). I ended up buying the longest wrench that could fit in the area to give me as much leverage as I could get; that got it loose after a few minutes of tugging really hard.

Posted by: chickenviii

didnt say anything cuz not sure if gen 1 and 2 were the same, did mine (gen 2) on a hoist and still sucked, to say the least

Posted by: Frogman

I wanted to eliminate this headache when I put the new engine in, so I installed a set of kooks headers. They will pay for themselves the first time I'd have to change out the new O2 sensors. Granted, they shouldn't go bad for another 80K miles, but lets be realistic. they are made by man, and as you all may know, man ain't perfect.

Posted by: chickenviii

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogman

I wanted to eliminate this headache when I put the new engine in, so I installed a set of kooks headers. They will pay for themselves the first time I'd have to change out the new O2 sensors. Granted, they shouldn't go bad for another 80K miles, but lets be realistic. they are made by man, and as you all may know, man ain't perfect.

put kooks on the dohc bird, MUCH easier!!!!