Oxy Sensor Install - Tips? Tricks? Parts Source (10 Viewers)

[CHibbard]

Hi All,

Need to replace both Oxy Sensors on my 1994 LC (171K). The location of both sesnors looks hard to get a wrench on the small nuts? Any tips or tricks for a simple replacement proceedure? Also who has good pricing for these? Any and all guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Craig

 

[thelal]

Yah - don't break them off (bolts/nuts
Put several coatings off PB Blaster or similiar on every few days to help loosen them up.

If u have serious rust on them u may have to get inventive !

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Make sure you have small fingers. If you don't, enlist the help of a young and willing boy. It will be educational for him, and save you a lot of cursing

IIRC it took me about an hour to an hour and a half to do both oxy sensors, all in all it was pretty straight forward, and a ratchet box wrench will be a life saver. I believe it's the 10mm variety that you want, but not 100% sure.

Ary

 

[ryanjl]

PM (private message) Cruiserdan on this board. He's an OEM parts guy and will hook you up.

You can also call him using the phone number provided in the 'sticky' thread in the vendors section.

 

[Brentbba]

Follow advice above. If I can change O2 sensors on a '94, anybody can! Parts from Cdan will save you big $$$. Your own labor will save you even more $$$.

Nuts are a little difficult to get to on top of the exhaust pipes, but no more of a pain then disconnecting the wires at the connectors. Absolutely give them a shot with PB or even liquid wrench for a few days prior to doing this to be sure they don't break off.

 

[Hltoppr]

Use anti-seize on the bolts when you reinstall the O2 sensors.

-H-

 

[CHibbard]

Thanks for the tips

Thanks everyone! I contacted CDan this afternoon, parts are on their way to So Cal! When I get back, I'll tackle the oxy sensors. What a great site this is!

My next project is a complete front axle service ....

Craig

 

[MTNRAT]

I am sure Cdan told you that you will need new nuts as they are not designed to be reused. So only use your nuts once.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[Brentbba]

Thanks everyone! I contacted CDan this afternoon, parts are on their way to So Cal! When I get back, I'll tackle the oxy sensors. What a great site this is!

My next project is a complete front axle service ....

Craig

If you are anywhere in South Orange County and need a good kick in the arse, er I mean help, give me a holler.

 

[CHibbard]

Yep, CDan includes the replacement nuts them in the kit. I've soaked them all day in PB Spray .....

 

[CHibbard]

Brent, thanks for the offer. I'm in Redondo Beach. Looks like a simple project. May have to have son's small hand get into that tight space .....

Craig

 

[Brentbba]

I've got average size hands (or in golf glove sizing - a Men's Cadet medium/large) on a 5'11" frame and had no real problems at all. I found it easier to use a regular open/closed end wrench rather than a ratchet style just because of the tight quarters up there. The biggest PITA I had was disconnecting the wiring connectors.

 

[CHibbard]

Oxy Sensor Replace

We're about the same size. I crawled under the LC this morning and "tested" the nuts to see if their "welded/rusted/frozen for life", as it turns out they came loose with out much pressure.

As an FYI for all of you planning to do this task, the nut size is 12mm. And also, soaking them in PB is a must!

 

[Brentbba]

Awesome - the rest, as they say is a piece of cake!

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Sorry about the wrong nut size. Haven't been under there in a while. Seems to me that damn near every bolt under the hood and related to the drivetrain is either 10 or 12mm, kinda handy. Too bad I lost my 10mm wrench

 

[CHibbard]

Oxy Senors are in!

All,

Thanks to CDan and his prompt shipment and GREAT PRICING of the Oxy sensors! Early up this morning, took exactly 1 hour 15 minutes. The toughest part was getting the connectors to release from their mates. Soaking the nuts in PB was perfect. All four nuts came loose with very little effort. Gave each stud a little cleaning with a wire brush, small amount of anti-sieze added and re-installed. No problem. As a side note to others, you can use the Sears 1/4" mini-ratchet drive with a 12mm socket to get at all four nuts. Plenty of room.

Next project, front axle service in a few weeks.

Craig