Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 38
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From: Edwardsville Illinois
Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System
I am wanting to repaint the exhaust system, from the header to the tailpipe. I have a '96. What is the best way of removing the oxygen sensors in order to be able to drop the exhaust system. Would it be best to just disconnect the electrical leads at the sensors and leave the sensors in place. I am planning on removing the entire exhaust system and repainting it while it is off the corvette.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (CE King)
hm. repainting the most abused part of the car? gee...
however, disconnect them, and then unbolt them from the exhaust. I don't think paint will do them any good.
however, disconnect them, and then unbolt them from the exhaust. I don't think paint will do them any good.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (bogus)
I would disconnect the wire and then tape them off, I would not risk pulling them, plus I think you need a special thread sealer?? :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,477
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From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (CE King)
Painting the exhaust is going to be a WHOLE lotta work for absolutely no gain, in my opinion.
However, the easiest way, if it is possible, is to disconnect the wire at the quick disconnect. Unfortunately just about every quick-disconnect on any O2 sensor has melted shut.
Removal is easy, just use a 7/8s wrench(pretty standard size for O2 sensors), and tap it off, do not apply torque, or it is entirely possible to snap the sensor clean off.
Reinstallation requires an "O2 sensor safe anti-sieze", available for about a buck at any autoparts store.
:seeya
However, the easiest way, if it is possible, is to disconnect the wire at the quick disconnect. Unfortunately just about every quick-disconnect on any O2 sensor has melted shut.
Removal is easy, just use a 7/8s wrench(pretty standard size for O2 sensors), and tap it off, do not apply torque, or it is entirely possible to snap the sensor clean off.
Reinstallation requires an "O2 sensor safe anti-sieze", available for about a buck at any autoparts store.
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (NoWorries)
What kind of paint are ya using? Why would you do this anyway?
just curious.... :confused:
just curious.... :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (CE King)
Not to rain on your parade, but I agree with the others here. Doing what you're planning is going to take a whole heck of a lot of work. And over time, possibly a very short period of time, your paint is going to flake off and leave you wondering why you went through all the trouble, in the first place.
When I pulled the headers on my C3, I figured I'd dress them up with some high temp paint. So I blasted them and then hit them with the high temp paint. Of course, after painting, you need to cure the paint at a certain temperature for a given period of time. My engine was out, so I had to improvise. I took a MAP gas torch and directed it into each header for a period of time. And then the headers sat until I was ready to reinstall. I fully expected my paint job to fail quickly. Instead, it took roughly 1500 miles to fail. There's still some paint on the headers, but where it matters, right where you look into the engine bay, you can see the crappiness.
I would not waste my time to recreate this experience, even if my engine was back out of the car. I would however, consider a ceramic coating.
When I pulled the headers on my C3, I figured I'd dress them up with some high temp paint. So I blasted them and then hit them with the high temp paint. Of course, after painting, you need to cure the paint at a certain temperature for a given period of time. My engine was out, so I had to improvise. I took a MAP gas torch and directed it into each header for a period of time. And then the headers sat until I was ready to reinstall. I fully expected my paint job to fail quickly. Instead, it took roughly 1500 miles to fail. There's still some paint on the headers, but where it matters, right where you look into the engine bay, you can see the crappiness.
I would not waste my time to recreate this experience, even if my engine was back out of the car. I would however, consider a ceramic coating.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Re: Remove Oxygen Sensor to Repaint Exhaust System (joeveto)
I painted my exhaust from the cat's back 2 yr's ago and it's holding up good just snapped this pic about 2 hr's ago. I dropped the system and repainted the mufflers black and the pipes silver, just high temp paint from autozone. It's a little dirty right now but cleans up nice for shows and stuff.
I thought it was worth it, plus I replaced all the exhuast nuts and bolts with stainless steel ones while I had it off. :seeya
I thought it was worth it, plus I replaced all the exhuast nuts and bolts with stainless steel ones while I had it off. :seeya
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