oxygen sensor
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
oxygen sensor
My 87 just failed an emissions test in Connecticut and one of the things the mechanic told me to try was replacing the oxygen sensor. Is this something I can do? Is the sensor easy to access? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
I have a 1990 l-98 it has a single wire on the left side very easy to change. If you go to the auto parts store like autozone they will loan you the socket to remove it also. Get a good name brand.
Steve
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
and go with either a GM or Bosch brand. Stay away from the discount parts houses for this part. You will have to raise up the front of the car in order to get access to the O2 sensor. It is a very easy replacement......if the front of the car is up on jack stands.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,723
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
What did the emission test fail on? no point in replacing it unless you have the right reason.
If your gas mileage lately has been good, then the O2 is probably not the culprit.
If your gas mileage lately has been good, then the O2 is probably not the culprit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
no sense in replacing a part unless you know it's the cuplprit, but it is an easy job.My 87 failed it's first test this yr. Of course I failed to follow my golden rule. Second test it passed with flying colors.
Here's what I normally do...and what I did to get it to pass!
First, I Seafoam it, 1/2 through brake booster vac. line, 1/2 in fuel tank,
after the smoking has cleared I take it and have the oil changed, and replace the air filter. A little spirited drive and I'm off to emmissions, making sure temps reach 190-200. Of course your test results from a failure should tell you something. I should tell you too that I do keep my vette well tuned.Even if the test told your mechanic that you needed an 02, I'd still change the oil (if it hasn't been done recently)
before going back in.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the speedy responses! My emissions problem is the % of CO I'm putting out, the limit is .28 and my reading is .51. I passed the HC and NOx with flying colors. The mechanic also mentioned timing as a possible problem but I figured I would try the path of least resistance first. I will also change the oil, oil filter, and air filter but I'm not sure what Seafoam is. Also to the previous poster thanks for the advice on either Bosch or GM I will definitely go that route.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
Anytime. Please be very careful if you do the seafoam in the brake booster line that you dont give it a very large drink/slug of it all at once cause you can hydo lock a cylinder if you dont do it very slow!
Steve
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Thanks for all the speedy responses! My emissions problem is the % of CO I'm putting out, the limit is .28 and my reading is .51. I passed the HC and NOx with flying colors. The mechanic also mentioned timing as a possible problem but I figured I would try the path of least resistance first. I will also change the oil, oil filter, and air filter but I'm not sure what Seafoam is. Also to the previous poster thanks for the advice on either Bosch or GM I will definitely go that route.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Get a spare O2 sensor connector pigtail, too. They tend to get brittle from exhaust heat and crack in your hands when you go to replace, them. NAPA carries them. I'm sure other auto parts stores do, too.
