oxygen sensor stuck.. need suggestions.

[baddriver]

ok. the driver side o2 sensor on my 97 ohv vin x is stuck.

i used the crowfoot with a breaker bar and pb blaster and it still wont come out.. it actually caused the otc crowfoot socket to flex and strip.

im thinking i either have to replace the y-pipe or cut out the bung and have one welded back in.

I DONT WANT TO DO THIS ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

 

[carlover]

id spray the crap out of it with PS blastr and let it soak in for a few hours. If that doesnt work then heat up the area with a torch to expand the metal and it might come out that way, thats what i had to do on my explorer.

 

[baddriver]

you just used a propane torch right?

 

[carlover]

yeah, but if all reality you might be able to do it with just the heat from the engine. its something easy and free to try before breaking out the torch...

 

[baddriver]

i was thinking about getting a metal hose clamp and using it around the socket to tighten the hell out of it... the crowfoot socket has the slit in it for the wire and it causes the socket to bend when a lot of torque is applied..

 

[carlover]

i also tried using a regular deep socket but i cut the wires off the old O2 sensor. I think the heat would probably be your best bet though, that many years and miles in there its probably locked in there pretty good.

 

[manaen]

Torch will do the job, just keep heating around the threaded bung on the pipe. It may take some time to really get it good and hot, but it will come out, you will be amazed once it gets hot enough how easy the thing will actually go. Just keep the torch away from the rear of the o2 sensor, otherwise you could fry the wires. When you put the new ones in be sure to use a good high temp moly so the new one doesn't stick.

 

[manaen]

This probably goes without saying, but... always be careful with a torch under your truck. I would hate to read about you in the Darwin awards. watch for all the nasty flammables behind your flame (fuel lines especially)

 

[Willard]

i let mine soak overnight in PB Blaster and it came out without much trouble

 

[Turdle]

Have you tried a good whack to the end of the wrench?

 

[baddriver]

thanks guys! looks like i have a nice little project for the weekend.

 

[dynamite196]

cut the sensor down to the thread, then get a regular six point socket on there and it should come out.

 

[mawrazen]

I had a similar problem getting my rusted EGR Value out.

I used liquid wrench, Deep freeze and after that didn't work I used a can of Liquid air duster "turned upside down" to freeze the heck out of it. It finally came out after the air duster!

GO FIGURE!

Just adding my 1.5 cents

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

use alot of pb, and let it soak as needed. do not let the engine run to heat the pipe to get it out. thats how you strip the threads out

 

[baddriver]

i havent had a chance to tackle it yet.. the 02 sensors i ordered havent come in yet. i

- if the threads get stripped how are they fixable? is there a special threadchaser?

 

[carlover]

yes there is a special thread chaser that you can get at any auto parts store.