P0153

[mmtphoto]

I know it's the front (upstream) O2 sensor, but is the driver's side bank 2? Seems to run fine, but at 118,000 I guess I'll do the upstream ones, any thoughts on the downstreams? OEM sensors at Advance are $66, is that good? If it's the driver side, will I think of words that I haven't thought of in a long time? Thanks

 

[unity]

Its the forward passenger side thats a pain, but if you rent the O2 removal tool and get a little creative its not so hard. Just look at it and go slow.

Just to re-cap. The forward sensors are the ones used by the computer to adjust the fuel air mixture. When they age fuel economy usually goes down as well as performance. 60k is the recommended change interval but one can generally get more life out of them than that. I also recommend Bosch or OEM (which may be Bosch). I would not go cheap on the forward sensors.

The aft sensors only check to make sure the cats are doing their job. They are not the same as the fronts. The fronts are called heated O2 sensors, the rears are not and only have two wires each versus four. You can go cheap on these. Also these last a lot longer since the cats have done their job to clean up the exhaust a bit, therefore they take less abuse.

 

[mmtphoto]

is the driver side bank 2?

 

[vr4]

is the driver side bank 2?

yes.

 

[mmtphoto]

Ok, I was going to do these O2 sensors today but a friend who has a lift said he'd do them for me, so I said 'alright' -a few hours later he called and said he couldn't get them off, he has this tool that is kind of an offset socket with a slot in it with a 3/8 opening for an extension off to the side. This guy is (or has been) pretty good at stuff I have no time or ambition to do, so I'm alittle suprised he couldn't get it-I don't think he even tried the passenger side, that one looks rough, but the code I got was for the driver side so I want to atleast get that one replaced before I drive it much more-is there a Ford tool made to do these?

 

[unity]

Not sure if there is a "Ford tool", just the O2 tool that I know of.

Odd he could not get it out. Really it is best to replace in pairs to have a better "balance".

 

[mmtphoto]

I kind of got the vibe he was afraid of breaking it off, it did look like he sprayed it with a penetrating oil-the driver side doesn't look too bad especially if you use maybe 30 or 40 extensions and get it from the top. Anybody got technique tips? I will do the driver side first (it threw the code) then I'll wrestle with the passenger side. Any tips appreciated.

 

[unity]

Could torch it. Heat works well but you have to work quick. And since he is experienced I am sure he did the basic, but ya never know - try to tighten it first, then try to lossen it.

 

[vr4]

just drop the front section of the exhaust. only takes a few minutes if it isnt rusted solid. gives you a bit more room to reach up there.

 

[mmtphoto]

i did the seafoam thing before heating up the o2 sensors with a torch, dropped the exhaust on the passenger side for more room, and got them out, installed the new ones-it feels great now, very smooth, idle is much smother , quiet and it pulls stronger than before. The one throwing the code had carbon deposits on it (black), the passenger side actually looked as good as you might expect a sensor to look at 118,000 miles. When I did the seafoam thing, i disconnected a vacuum line and shoved the hose into a bottle of seafoam bottle, then shut it off and let it sit about 10 minutes. I then started it and let it idle for about 10-5 minutes, then drove it, enough smoke to attract the attention of neighbors-very nice now, hope it also make for a happy IAC since I never want to remove that thing. Thanks for the advise, guys, love my mark.