Any tips of removing this PITA??

My second attempt to install my headers went fairly ok. Finally removed the 3 rusted bolts that connects the downpipe



Now how do I remove that O2 sensor??? I cant torch that as well to loosen it right?

 

The pic has senor installed! Anyway soak it with wd40 or liquid wrench, then use 22mm open end wrench.

 

soaked, used a 22m open end wrench and even tried to get more torque with a pvc pipe addition.

Sorry, forgot to mention those are not my headers or my car. I just found a picture online since it was easier than taking one.

btw, 40k miles, 2 winters on the east coast in NYC.

 

Vice grips and a hammer

 

Thank you... I'll try again tomorrow.

 

If you want to, then you can take off the downpipe with the O2 sensor still on there, so you can work on getting the sensor out with the pipes off the car.

The O2 sensor is connected by two white clips to a black plate directly above where the sensor is located. It's a 10mm bolt, if I remember right. Make sure the car is cooled down, because it's really tight up there and you will get burned. Once the plate is off, disconnect the harness from the top of the engine bay. It's between the engine and the firewall, and it's a green wire.

Once the harness and the plate are off, the sensor will come off with the downpipe, if you want to do it that way.

Good luck.

 

Thanks again! I will definitely give that a try. Should be a lot easier with it off the car with more room to work with.

 

Just hand tighten when reinstalling on the new headers?

 

Be very careful with the WD40. If it gets on the sensor, it's gonna be useless.

 

I assume the same with Liquid wrench.... you mean on the sensor once it is removed?

 

Right.

Once the pores are clogged, the sensor is done for. Silicone is the worst enemy, but solvents/cleaners will kill sensors easily, too.

 

Be sure that you turn counterclock wise looking down to loosen. I made the mistake of turning counterclock wise looking up. Wipe of excess WD40, mine drip off since I let it sit for good 30 minutes before taking o2 senor off.

 

Some more liquid wrench and the vise grips worked with the hammer after some effort. Victory!!! Hopefully I'll finish the entire job tomorrow morning.

Thanks guys

 

You will notice wires connecting o2 sensor will be twisted counter clock wise when taking off o2 senor (w/o disconnecting it from wiring harness). Just twist clockwise about equal # of turns when you mount o2 sensor back so wires are not wounded too tight.