Exhaust/oxygen sensor question

[Dylansav]

I've been looking at my exhaust system lately and i've noticed that it's kinda crappy looking, a lot of rust and corrosion (minnesota truck..) I want to replace my exhaust pipe and the muffler/tailpipe and I was wondering what kind of muffler would give me the best power and isn't too loud?

Also, how hard is it to replace an oxygen sensor? I was looking at another post about bad gas mileage and I was thinking that I should replace the sensor.

Thanks for any help guys

 

[MadExplorer93]

I've been looking at my exhaust system lately and i've noticed that it's kinda crappy looking, a lot of rust and corrosion (minnesota truck..) I want to replace my exhaust pipe and the muffler/tailpipe and I was wondering what kind of muffler would give me the best power and isn't too loud?

Also, how hard is it to replace an oxygen sensor? I was looking at another post about bad gas mileage and I was thinking that I should replace the sensor.

Thanks for any help guys

O2 sensor replacement can be a bugger at times depending where you live as climate and conditions can hinder the ease of doing such a project.

You will need a special socket to remove the O2 sensor or at times a wrench can be used. Some say warm the engine up and let it cool down not HOT, but cool down and use some penetrating lubricant like WD-40 on it when it has cooled down (NOT COLD) cooled down. Then try and turn the NUT on the sensor and remove it.

Now before all of that unplug the sensor from the harness which if you model is like my 1993 the plugins are at the back of the motor UP TOP at the back you will see them there about half way down and it is better to get at them from under the hood.

Now others will state don't warm it up, but in fact right from a COLD engine/exhaust spray penetrating lubricant onto the O2 sensor let sit for anout 10 min and then try to remove it.

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Now as for a muffler no one here is an expert, but i usually just buy one that is at least $50-$60 for the vehicle no matter what it is as they usually last longer 2-5 years, but you never know.

 

[MustangP51]

Here is a muffler chart that might help you

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210687

 

[joefnh]

use some penetrating lubricant like WD-40 on it

NEVER USE ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING SILICONE AROUND AN O2 SENSOR

IT WILL KILL IT

O2 sensors use zirconium as the core element in the sensor, small amounts of silicone will render it useless.

 

[MadExplorer93]

NEVER USE ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING SILICONE AROUND AN O2 SENSOR

IT WILL KILL IT

O2 sensors use zirconium as the core element in the sensor, small amounts of silicone will render it useless.

If your replacing it, then why not?

Just make sure the hole is clean afterwards and all dried up before putting new sensor in.

 

[Dylansav]

thanks for the responses


So if I were to use WD40 on the mounting for the sensor and then cleaned the hell out of the holes and made sure no trace of the silicone from it was still there when I replaced the new one, would that still kill the sensor?


Thanks for the page about the mufflers. I was also wondering if this is true. The louder the muffler, the better it is for the engine? I'm really sick of my current stock one and I really want to get something that can provide more for the engine.

 

[MadExplorer93]

thanks for the responses


So if I were to use WD40 on the mounting for the sensor and then cleaned the hell out of the holes and made sure no trace of the silicone from it was still there when I replaced the new one, would that still kill the sensor?


Thanks for the page about the mufflers. I was also wondering if this is true. The louder the muffler, the better it is for the engine? I'm really sick of my current stock one and I really want to get something that can provide more for the engine.

Only use it to help in removal not for installation process, just make sure that all is dried up, wipe it clean, the hole and threaded areas before installing the new one.

You don't want any of it on the new one as yes it can kill it.

 

[Dylansav]

that makes sense

thanks for the info

 

[Dylansav]

oxygen sensor

I have a question about a diagram from Alldata...

what does this mean?? I'm trying to figure out where the O2 sensor is located on my 98' 4L SOHC

Thanks for any interpretations

 

[MadExplorer93]

I have a question about a diagram from Alldata...

what does this mean?? I'm trying to figure out where the O2 sensor is located on my 98' 4L SOHC

Thanks for any interpretations

Umm anyone correct me if i am wrong, but i do think the 1998 has at least 3-4 O2 sensors, also all O2 sensors are on the Exhaust Pipes, some before the Catalatic Convertor(s) and Others After it/them.

 

[djsk8r33]

how do you know which/what ones to replace. at 60 bucks a pop you cant just do all 3/4!! is it the one before the cats?

 

[MadExplorer93]

how do you know which/what ones to replace. at 60 bucks a pop you cant just do all 3/4!! is it the one before the cats?

Are you getting any CODES for such a thing to be replaced, codes like no signal from O2 sensor?

Also you can test the voltage of each sensor to see if there is proper voltage to them, but that does not mean they are DEAD only if no voltage is going to them, of course then a CODE would show up showing no signal to O2 sensor Bank 1 or 2 or O2 3 or for.

Basically if no codes are showing up for such a thing or you have no related "Gas Burning Pig" issues that relate to a O2 sensor fault. Then i would leave them alone.

 

[whoknows]

regarding muffler choice

my dynomax sucked. i love my flowmasters. more response and better sounding.