O-2 Sensor -- Thanks for the help
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Lynn Haven, FL
O-2 Sensor -- Thanks for the help
My '95 displayed a "64" code (O-2 sensor bad, right front bank) after abruptly running very rough and very rich. I dreaded replacing the O-2 sensor, and now after the job is done - rightly so! What a pain!
One reply to my earlier thread suggested switching the rear sensor with the front sensor. Well, up on the lift, that suggestion did not appear to be as easy as stated. (Thank God for the Navy auto hobby shop.) I had to remove the right exhaust/cat piece to get to the two sensors. Here's the benefit of my labors:
The pipe/cat is one piece from the manifold flange to the "S" pipe that runs back to the muffler. Heck, no problem - take it off, replace the sensors, put it back on. Right?
The car only has 47K miles. The three nuts on the flange came off OK (with copious application of PB Blaster), so did the clamp around the pipe (just like my Harley exhaust pipe clamp.) Remove the two bolts holding the springs at the crossmember, and the left exhaust/cat pipe flange bolts/nuts, and the whole assembly drops down enough that you can get the right exhaust/cat off and over to the bench. But wait! It did not drop down as planned. H-m-m-m, must be some "mystery" bolts somewhere. Cats remain HOT for a long time, trust me. And, upon further review, there ARE two mystery bolts on top of the cat, attached to the bellhousing via a bracket, and they are a pain. Can't get a wrench in there; can't get a regular socket; had to use a 15mm swiveltail with a gawdawful assembly of universals and extensions.
Anyways, I got it off and replaced BOTH sensors (Autozone Bosch OEM, $52.99.) At the same time, I replaced the fuel filter. I could not imagine trying to replace the filter while the exhaust is still on the car.
I thank my fellow Corvette enthusiasts for their input during this whole ordeal, and hope this missive can help anyone who is faced with the same problem in the future.
The only thing left to do is replace the fouled plugs, and THAT is no picnic either.
Ride Safe, Gary
One reply to my earlier thread suggested switching the rear sensor with the front sensor. Well, up on the lift, that suggestion did not appear to be as easy as stated. (Thank God for the Navy auto hobby shop.) I had to remove the right exhaust/cat piece to get to the two sensors. Here's the benefit of my labors:
The pipe/cat is one piece from the manifold flange to the "S" pipe that runs back to the muffler. Heck, no problem - take it off, replace the sensors, put it back on. Right?
The car only has 47K miles. The three nuts on the flange came off OK (with copious application of PB Blaster), so did the clamp around the pipe (just like my Harley exhaust pipe clamp.) Remove the two bolts holding the springs at the crossmember, and the left exhaust/cat pipe flange bolts/nuts, and the whole assembly drops down enough that you can get the right exhaust/cat off and over to the bench. But wait! It did not drop down as planned. H-m-m-m, must be some "mystery" bolts somewhere. Cats remain HOT for a long time, trust me. And, upon further review, there ARE two mystery bolts on top of the cat, attached to the bellhousing via a bracket, and they are a pain. Can't get a wrench in there; can't get a regular socket; had to use a 15mm swiveltail with a gawdawful assembly of universals and extensions.
Anyways, I got it off and replaced BOTH sensors (Autozone Bosch OEM, $52.99.) At the same time, I replaced the fuel filter. I could not imagine trying to replace the filter while the exhaust is still on the car.
I thank my fellow Corvette enthusiasts for their input during this whole ordeal, and hope this missive can help anyone who is faced with the same problem in the future.
The only thing left to do is replace the fouled plugs, and THAT is no picnic either.
Ride Safe, Gary
