O2 sensor replacement
05-17-2015, 10:15 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
O2 sensor replacement
Some poster on another vette forum claims if your vette is a '98 or older with more that 50k miles, he highly recommends replacing the O2 sensor...regardless if the check engine light has been triggered.
Your thoughts???
Your thoughts???
05-18-2015, 08:50 AM
#2
Pro
I just had my O2 sensors replaced last weekend (under hard acceleration, my car would miss real bad and was blowing black smoke from the exhaust). It definitely won't hurt. It will definitely help you avoid what I went though.
Decided I try to replace them myself, which didn't take long for me to change my mind about. Broke 2 of the three studs holding the exhaust to the exhaust flange on the exhaust manifold. Shop (conveniently at the end of my driveway, literally) told me they change them $135. After breaking the two studs, I decided to let the shop handle it and just add what it cost to replace the studs to the bill. I wish it was that easy. Long story short, just to get to the studs, my mechanic had to completely drop the exhaust, and remove a crossmember to be able to get a drill in there to drill out the studs. Then on top of all that, the threads were screwed up on the old O2 sensors, making them extremely hard to remove and replace. The job that I got a $135 estimate for turned out to be a $370 repair, all because of seized up bolts/O2 sensor threads.
IMHO, it's worth replacing at 50k miles, just to avoid what I went though at 120k miles. You can get them for under $20 a piece- http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/b...465%7CL3*16466
Decided I try to replace them myself, which didn't take long for me to change my mind about. Broke 2 of the three studs holding the exhaust to the exhaust flange on the exhaust manifold. Shop (conveniently at the end of my driveway, literally) told me they change them $135. After breaking the two studs, I decided to let the shop handle it and just add what it cost to replace the studs to the bill. I wish it was that easy. Long story short, just to get to the studs, my mechanic had to completely drop the exhaust, and remove a crossmember to be able to get a drill in there to drill out the studs. Then on top of all that, the threads were screwed up on the old O2 sensors, making them extremely hard to remove and replace. The job that I got a $135 estimate for turned out to be a $370 repair, all because of seized up bolts/O2 sensor threads.
IMHO, it's worth replacing at 50k miles, just to avoid what I went though at 120k miles. You can get them for under $20 a piece- http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/b...465%7CL3*16466
Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; 05-18-2015 at 08:54 AM.
05-18-2015, 11:13 AM
#3
Instructor
A scanner will tell you if they are working properly. one of mine was not functioning at all. If you do replace use plenty of pb blaster or something in advance. Mine were stuck in there pretty well. No need to remove any exhaust components.
05-18-2015, 11:56 AM
#4
Advanced
Thread Starter
I just had my O2 sensors replaced last weekend (under hard acceleration, my car would miss real bad and was blowing black smoke from the exhaust). It definitely won't hurt. It will definitely help you avoid what I went though.
Decided I try to replace them myself, which didn't take long for me to change my mind about. Broke 2 of the three studs holding the exhaust to the exhaust flange on the exhaust manifold. Shop (conveniently at the end of my driveway, literally) told me they change them $135. After breaking the two studs, I decided to let the shop handle it and just add what it cost to replace the studs to the bill. I wish it was that easy. Long story short, just to get to the studs, my mechanic had to completely drop the exhaust, and remove a crossmember to be able to get a drill in there to drill out the studs. Then on top of all that, the threads were screwed up on the old O2 sensors, making them extremely hard to remove and replace. The job that I got a $135 estimate for turned out to be a $370 repair, all because of seized up bolts/O2 sensor threads.
IMHO, it's worth replacing at 50k miles, just to avoid what I went though at 120k miles. You can get them for under $20 a piece- http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/b...465%7CL3*16466
Decided I try to replace them myself, which didn't take long for me to change my mind about. Broke 2 of the three studs holding the exhaust to the exhaust flange on the exhaust manifold. Shop (conveniently at the end of my driveway, literally) told me they change them $135. After breaking the two studs, I decided to let the shop handle it and just add what it cost to replace the studs to the bill. I wish it was that easy. Long story short, just to get to the studs, my mechanic had to completely drop the exhaust, and remove a crossmember to be able to get a drill in there to drill out the studs. Then on top of all that, the threads were screwed up on the old O2 sensors, making them extremely hard to remove and replace. The job that I got a $135 estimate for turned out to be a $370 repair, all because of seized up bolts/O2 sensor threads.
IMHO, it's worth replacing at 50k miles, just to avoid what I went though at 120k miles. You can get them for under $20 a piece- http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/b...465%7CL3*16466
05-18-2015, 11:57 AM
#5
Advanced
Thread Starter
05-18-2015, 01:09 PM
#6
Just changed my 94 no codes but changed them what a differance. Go to orielys they have a set with a short one that will get in there fot $20 deposit or buy them for $25. Soak them a time or two then run it then again tighten first then break them loose.
05-18-2015, 02:19 PM
#7
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Well the O2 sensor does start failing before the code gets set, but 50K is probably way too soon.
Mine lasted well beyond 140K, scanner readings were fine until then. Results will vary but as part of general maintenance I'd say 100k or 15 years.
Mine lasted well beyond 140K, scanner readings were fine until then. Results will vary but as part of general maintenance I'd say 100k or 15 years.
05-19-2015, 12:18 PM
#9
I just got code h44 on my 94. wanted to see if I have the one wire, three wire, or four wire 02 sensor but couldn't see where the sensors were. searching parts suppliers all three come up. Anyone have a picture or diagram. Figure that way I could spray them ahead of time to loosen them up too.
05-19-2015, 03:21 PM
#10
I just got code h44 on my 94. wanted to see if I have the one wire, three wire, or four wire 02 sensor but couldn't see where the sensors were. searching parts suppliers all three come up. Anyone have a picture or diagram. Figure that way I could spray them ahead of time to loosen them up too.
Did not soak mine. I used the bosch
Last edited by antfarmer2; 05-19-2015 at 10:37 PM.
05-19-2015, 04:02 PM
#11
Team Owner
PB Blaster or a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF the night before will make removal a lot easier.
I also used a 7/8" Line wrench (looks like a box end with a slot cut out) instead of the O2 socket. It fits in there a lot easier and gives you something to really pull on. Got a whole set at Hazard Fraught Tools cheaper than a craftsman O2 socket
. Not the best tools but good enough!
I also used a 7/8" Line wrench (looks like a box end with a slot cut out) instead of the O2 socket. It fits in there a lot easier and gives you something to really pull on. Got a whole set at Hazard Fraught Tools cheaper than a craftsman O2 socket
. Not the best tools but good enough!
05-19-2015, 04:24 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
05-19-2015, 09:51 PM
#13
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Thread Starter
05-24-2015, 05:54 PM
#14
Safety Car
Just changed mine on the 93. Only 39,000 miles but figured why not. They weren't but mid $20"s apiece. Bought 4. 2 for the Corvette and 2 for the Camaro. The special socket comes in handy. Torque to 30 ftlbs. I put one in without a torque wrench and it leaked slightly until I put a torque wrench on it.