Removing O2 sensors
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Removing O2 sensors
I've got LG headers that have been in for quite a while. I am trying to replace the sensors but I can't get them out, they refuse to budge. I purchased a special tool for removing them. It is a special socket with a slot on the side and you can use a breaker bar attached to its side. Still didn't help. Any ideas I might not be aware of?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
I've got LG headers that have been in for quite a while. I am trying to replace the sensors but I can't get them out, they refuse to budge. I purchased a special tool for removing them. It is a special socket with a slot on the side and you can use a breaker bar attached to its side. Still didn't help. Any ideas I might not be aware of?
1. Lefty loosey righty tighty. I have found myself while under the car I get turned around and get backwards and have to stop and think and refer to the old adage. Just a thought.
2. Hit it with liquid wrench or something similar.
2a. Try a small torch to heat up the sensor where it screws into the exhaust. I would use gloves to grip the wrench after that.
3. I think one time I had to use my foot as leverage against the wrench to break it loose.
I have removed mine at least ten times on both sides over the years and generally had no issues. I'm sure others will chime in and offer better suggestions then I. Best wishes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 803
Likes: 42
From: Destin Florida
Quick list and I always feel we are human in that sometimes the obvious escapes, as it does me many times.
1. Lefty loosey righty tighty. I have found myself while under the car I get turned around and get backwards and have to stop and think and refer to the old adage. Just a thought.
2. Hit it with liquid wrench or something similar.
2a. Try a small torch to heat up the sensor where it screws into the exhaust. I would use gloves to grip the wrench after that.
3. I think one time I had to use my foot as leverage against the wrench to break it loose.
I have removed mine at least ten times on both sides over the years and generally had no issues. I'm sure others will chime in and offer better suggestions then I. Best wishes
1. Lefty loosey righty tighty. I have found myself while under the car I get turned around and get backwards and have to stop and think and refer to the old adage. Just a thought.
2. Hit it with liquid wrench or something similar.
2a. Try a small torch to heat up the sensor where it screws into the exhaust. I would use gloves to grip the wrench after that.
3. I think one time I had to use my foot as leverage against the wrench to break it loose.
I have removed mine at least ten times on both sides over the years and generally had no issues. I'm sure others will chime in and offer better suggestions then I. Best wishes
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,755
Likes: 1,211
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
If you use Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster remember to let it soak. Most spray it on and go right after it.
If I have something that's a bear to get off I'll usually spray it several times throughout the day and then let it sit overnight.
Good Luck!
If I have something that's a bear to get off I'll usually spray it several times throughout the day and then let it sit overnight.
Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I've always had my best luck with the closed end of a box end wrench on an O2. All those special tools and what not have a split in them usually and that split allows flex which causes you to not get all the torque you can on the O2 itself.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 259
Likes: 40
From: Summerville, SC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
Heat is your friend. I got spoiled working at the coal mines. Always had cutting torches available for just such times as this. Even a small propane torch will heat something just not as fast.
Heat up the bung where the O2 sensor screws into the header and give it a try.
Good luck with your repair
Heat up the bung where the O2 sensor screws into the header and give it a try.
Good luck with your repair
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
On stainless headers I'd probably avoid heat. Ymmv.
Stainless LOVES to seize up... It is uncanny how easy it is to take a stainless v-thread setup and seize it. I just did my own brand new headers and welded in a bung for a wideband. Threaded the cap in 1/2 way (about 2 turns) and pow, it stuck. This was with my fingers.
I needed my 1/2" drive impact wrench to impact it out, then bought the tap for $65 to repair the threads. Wonderful...
Definitely use anti-seize paste on them if you get an opportunity to remove the things.
Stainless LOVES to seize up... It is uncanny how easy it is to take a stainless v-thread setup and seize it. I just did my own brand new headers and welded in a bung for a wideband. Threaded the cap in 1/2 way (about 2 turns) and pow, it stuck. This was with my fingers.
I needed my 1/2" drive impact wrench to impact it out, then bought the tap for $65 to repair the threads. Wonderful...
Definitely use anti-seize paste on them if you get an opportunity to remove the things.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Well, here's the outcome of my situation. I had sprayed the sensors with a penetrant last night. The 02 tool doesn't work, it flexes because of the slot and was trying to round off sensor. Anyway, one more try with a more precise fitting open end wrench and some leg leverage and it suddenly came free. No heat was used. I finally was able to change both sensors. Fortunately with the headers I only have two. Took it out for a ride and it actually seemed to run a little better except now I have a problem I didn't have before. I got a check engine light. The codes are P0133 and P0153. What's causing this and how do I fix it? Do I have to reinstall my old sensors which happen to have 150,000 miles on them. They are the original sensors that came with the car.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Well, here's the outcome of my situation. I had sprayed the sensors with a penetrant last night. The 02 tool doesn't work, it flexes because of the slot and was trying to round off sensor. Anyway, one more try with a more precise fitting open end wrench and some leg leverage and it suddenly came free. No heat was used. I finally was able to change both sensors. Fortunately with the headers I only have two. Took it out for a ride and it actually seemed to run a little better except now I have a problem I didn't have before. I got a check engine light. The codes are P0133 and P0153. What's causing this and how do I fix it? Do I have to reinstall my old sensors which happen to have 150,000 miles on them. They are the original sensors that came with the car.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-headers.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...and-p0153.html
seems like the solution is you Need someone with LS1edit or HP tuner to disable PO133 and PO153 sensor codes. See what others here say,
Last edited by wvufan1965; Sep 5, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Kroil is the cats meow.........thank god we stock it in work !
OP, another thing you might want to try, after hitting it with penetrating oil and heat...try tightening it first. Sometimes you can get it to tighten and it will break free, then try loosening it.worth a shot
OP, another thing you might want to try, after hitting it with penetrating oil and heat...try tightening it first. Sometimes you can get it to tighten and it will break free, then try loosening it.worth a shot
Last edited by SG Lou; Sep 5, 2016 at 07:28 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
P0133 HO2S Slow Response Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0153 HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1
These are the primary O2s so you don't want to program these out. Slow response is not one I've seen before. I don't know what the fix is for that.
P0153 HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1
seems like the solution is you Need someone with LS1edit or HP tuner to disable PO133 and PO153 sensor codes. See what others here say,
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Op, did you get something on them like lube or grease that contaminated them and is making them not signal changes?
A quick google search turns up that they might be dirty.
A quick google search turns up that they might be dirty.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I just put in brand new O2's. I never had any codes like this before but I changed them because they were quite old and my gas mileage was starting to decrease significantly. So I put in new sensors, take it for a ride and in a short ride I suddenly have a check engine light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Overnight soak works for me. I've also used WD-40 to break loose old bolts etc.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
Likes: 66
From: South Salem NY
Quick list and I always feel we are human in that sometimes the obvious escapes, as it does me many times.
1. Lefty loosey righty tighty. I have found myself while under the car I get turned around and get backwards and have to stop and think and refer to the old adage. Just a thought.
2. Hit it with liquid wrench or something similar.
2a. Try a small torch to heat up the sensor where it screws into the exhaust. I would use gloves to grip the wrench after that.
3. I think one time I had to use my foot as leverage against the wrench to break it loose.
I have removed mine at least ten times on both sides over the years and generally had no issues. I'm sure others will chime in and offer better suggestions then I. Best wishes
1. Lefty loosey righty tighty. I have found myself while under the car I get turned around and get backwards and have to stop and think and refer to the old adage. Just a thought.
2. Hit it with liquid wrench or something similar.
2a. Try a small torch to heat up the sensor where it screws into the exhaust. I would use gloves to grip the wrench after that.
3. I think one time I had to use my foot as leverage against the wrench to break it loose.
I have removed mine at least ten times on both sides over the years and generally had no issues. I'm sure others will chime in and offer better suggestions then I. Best wishes