02 sensor headache

[richardb]

Here's a video of the DIY when I did mine. Shown on our 2005 3.0i X5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN6_HxsKcRk

[andrewwynn]

I just removed and installed my O2 2-2 last night. Jacked up the corner of the car a little and used a rug to climb under. My O2 socket has an 8-point hole to work with 1/2" extension every 45°

Here's the trick: you need to use a wobble extension and come below the pipe. You can get plenty of torque on it.

When I first removed it I didn't even need to PB blast just 100-120 ft·lb of torque with 18" breaker bar.

On one of the two I used a hammer on the crow foot but think that was 1-2 (right side) also not terrible amount of force but I did break the ceramic off to make more room for the tool.

There is a vibration damper blocking a lot of view take that off so you can see what you are doing.


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[andrewwynn]

Here's a photo of me using my "Dr Seuss" ratchet to clean out the threads on sensor 1-2 (you can see the vertical 2-2 in the back)

[jpilk99]

Thanks all. I guess not all 02 sensors are created equal. As mentioned, the previous owner of my X5 did a good job of stripping the "bolt heat" at the base of the sensor. After multiple PB blasting and torching and hammering and cutting the top off etc. I finally brought it to a mechanic and for $70 I'm a happy man.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by jpilk99

Thanks all. I guess not all 02 sensors are created equal. As mentioned, the previous owner of my X5 did a good job of stripping the "bolt heat" at the base of the sensor. After multiple PB blasting and torching and hammering and cutting the top off etc. I finally brought it to a mechanic and for $70 I'm a happy man.

Sometimes it doesn't pay to DIY.

[Fifty150hs]

Changed all four of my O2 sensors since they'd never been changed. No codes or other issues, but after reading the recommended service interval for them was 100,000 miles and I was at 220,000, I thought it would be a good idea. After reading of everyone's woes I was expecting the worst. Hit them with PB blaster the night before. They came right out. Toughest part feeding the wires from the downstream sensors up to the top of the engine.

[jpilk99]

Some of us are lucky; I guess. (Or maybe I forgot how to un-stuck bolts/sensors). I've changed about 8 over the years and never had as much challenge as this one. Rounded off "bolt head", tucked up behind pipes, .... Hopefully any future ones will be as easy as yours. Congrats

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by jpilk99

Some of us are lucky; I guess. (Or maybe I forgot how to un-stuck bolts/sensors). I've changed about 8 over the years and never had as much challenge as this one. Rounded off "bolt head", tucked up behind pipes, .... Hopefully any future ones will be as easy as yours. Congrats

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Toughest part feeding the wires from the downstream sensors up to the top of the engine.

I cut the wires and used the old sensor wires as a fish tape to pull up the new connector. Even so a challenge because the connector is so large.

For removing I put the crow foot socket on and if too tight to muscle out with the breaker bar I smack with a 3# hammer a couple times first and it's always released.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I cut the wires and used the old sensor wires as a fish tape to pull up the new connector. Even so a challenge because the connector is so large.

For removing I put the crow foot socket on and if too tight to muscle out with the breaker bar I smack with a 3# hammer a couple times first and it's always released.

I used the old sensor wire as a fish tape for second one after running into trouble getting the first one run. I used an actual fish tape for the first one after having already pulled out the first.