Stuck O2 sensor options
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Stuck O2 sensor options
Hello all.
long story short I need to replace my driver O2.
1994 LT1.
I tried using an offset O2 socket to remove it. The metal shield interferes with the socket. I tried it anyways and rounded the sensor.
looking for thoughts/options.
First option is remove the cat section so I can actually remove and replace the O2 sensor.
Another option is what happens if I leave the sensor disconnected? Is there a delete option?
anything I’m missing?
I’ve had this c4 for 3 weeks now and I already want to delete all the stupid computer crap and make it a normal carburetored sbc
long story short I need to replace my driver O2.
1994 LT1.
I tried using an offset O2 socket to remove it. The metal shield interferes with the socket. I tried it anyways and rounded the sensor.
looking for thoughts/options.
First option is remove the cat section so I can actually remove and replace the O2 sensor.
Another option is what happens if I leave the sensor disconnected? Is there a delete option?
anything I’m missing?
I’ve had this c4 for 3 weeks now and I already want to delete all the stupid computer crap and make it a normal carburetored sbc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
Hello all.
long story short I need to replace my driver O2.
1994 LT1.
I tried using an offset O2 socket to remove it. The metal shield interferes with the socket. I tried it anyways and rounded the sensor.
looking for thoughts/options.
First option is remove the cat section so I can actually remove and replace the O2 sensor.
Another option is what happens if I leave the sensor disconnected? Is there a delete option?
anything I’m missing?
I’ve had this c4 for 3 weeks now and I already want to delete all the stupid computer crap and make it a normal carburetored sbc
long story short I need to replace my driver O2.
1994 LT1.
I tried using an offset O2 socket to remove it. The metal shield interferes with the socket. I tried it anyways and rounded the sensor.
looking for thoughts/options.
First option is remove the cat section so I can actually remove and replace the O2 sensor.
Another option is what happens if I leave the sensor disconnected? Is there a delete option?
anything I’m missing?
I’ve had this c4 for 3 weeks now and I already want to delete all the stupid computer crap and make it a normal carburetored sbc
But if you can't get any tools on it then the best thing for your own sanity is to remove the pipe from the car and do it on a work bench. If it is rounded off badly you can cut them off like I said before and weld a big nut to the stub and get them out that way. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Removed the cat section.
broke all three studs from the manifold.
downstream cat bolts came out fine.
with the cat section out I tried to remove the O2 and it’s welded in there. It’s completely rounded now.
looking at replacement exhaust systems now
broke all three studs from the manifold.
downstream cat bolts came out fine.
with the cat section out I tried to remove the O2 and it’s welded in there. It’s completely rounded now.
looking at replacement exhaust systems now
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Dont blame the car. Blame the mechanic. Previous and current. Previous could have over tightened, not used anti seize. You should not have used an offset socket, but something like this
Also, heat is your friend breaking the rust bond.
But I wish you luck on spending hundreds of you are frugal up to thousands if you are not, to fix a problem that can be solved for under 50 bucks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Used heat and pb blaster. Those are my go to for exhaust bolts.
The offset was recommended on a thread here for the driver side removal. I actually went out and bought it for this replacement.
im looking at my options from making a new cat section(but without the cat) to long tube headers and fabbing the connection to the resonator.
What happens to the computer if I delete the O2 sensors? Does it just stay open loop?
The offset was recommended on a thread here for the driver side removal. I actually went out and bought it for this replacement.
im looking at my options from making a new cat section(but without the cat) to long tube headers and fabbing the connection to the resonator.
What happens to the computer if I delete the O2 sensors? Does it just stay open loop?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got the driver side manifold off. Not too bad. It’s dumb you have to loosen the compressor to get to the one bracket from cylinder 3 to behind the compressor. I was debating on just deleting that bracket.
i do like that the fender well comes off. Great access.
the header/exhaust scene is not as plentiful as it is for gen 1 SBCs. I’m assuming that’s because the LT1 was only 3ish years for the c4?
either way, I’m not paying $1k for shorty headers or $2k for a full exhaust.
Now that the manifold and cat section is off I’ll be welding in a new O2 bung and then removing the broken manifold studs.
since the manifold is off I’ll replace the spark plugs and wires. Much easier access.
Before all this I was planning on changing the passenger O2 as well. I think I’ll wait til it throws a code lol
i do like that the fender well comes off. Great access.
the header/exhaust scene is not as plentiful as it is for gen 1 SBCs. I’m assuming that’s because the LT1 was only 3ish years for the c4?
either way, I’m not paying $1k for shorty headers or $2k for a full exhaust.
Now that the manifold and cat section is off I’ll be welding in a new O2 bung and then removing the broken manifold studs.
since the manifold is off I’ll replace the spark plugs and wires. Much easier access.
Before all this I was planning on changing the passenger O2 as well. I think I’ll wait til it throws a code lol
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Pro
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 135
From: Buchanan, Michigan
A hardware store torch with the yellow map gas bottle, heat it, quench with water, maybe 1-2 times then remove it. Don't heat the sensor, heat the bung, in a circular motion around it. Once a warm red glow quench it. Guaranteed it will loosen up. Don't be surprised if the threads are galled, plan on running an O2 sensor tap through it before installing the new sensor. Probably several YouTube videos on removing a stick o2 sensor with heat out there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got the O2 sensor out last week. Along with the manifold studs.
I was anticipating welding in a new bung but the threads cleaned up just fine. Manifold studs weren’t too bad to remove.
Tune up is in progress, wires/plugs/belt. I did discover the #7 plug was finger tight and had a lot of soot past where the plug would seal with the head.
im wondering if that the plug was loose enough to suck air into the cylinder, thus causing an actual lean condition and potential knock.
driver side is almost all done. Then just gotta do passenger. I also bought a snap on mt2500. Should be useful for future troubleshooting.
I was anticipating welding in a new bung but the threads cleaned up just fine. Manifold studs weren’t too bad to remove.
Tune up is in progress, wires/plugs/belt. I did discover the #7 plug was finger tight and had a lot of soot past where the plug would seal with the head.
im wondering if that the plug was loose enough to suck air into the cylinder, thus causing an actual lean condition and potential knock.
driver side is almost all done. Then just gotta do passenger. I also bought a snap on mt2500. Should be useful for future troubleshooting.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Everything is all out back together. Drove it 10 miles, let it get hot, the issue is fixed so far. Whether it was failed O2 or the loose spark plug, it’s all sorted out now.
also my cats are now “high flow” cats….if you know what I mean.
also my cats are now “high flow” cats….if you know what I mean.
