F***ing O2 Sensor

[sailsurf7713]

Started the day with a few goals:

*Get my O2 sensor replaced
*Get my Oil Changed

Well got the oil change done in 15 minutes as usual. Searched everywhere for an O2 sensor socket: no luck. Decided a wrench was just as good and rounded off one corner of the nut :cussing: . Decided despite having already soaked it in penetrating lubricant that doing it overnight and once again in the morning would be better.

So what do you you think: I'm cutting the wires and then fitting the wrench around the whole nut after heating up the exhaust for much longer than the 3 minutes which is recommended. After its out the new one shouldn't be a huge problem with just the wrench: I need recommendations quick! And an O2 sensor socket isn't a possibility. Can't find one to rent anywhere.

[mopar318]

Started the day with a few goals:

*Get my O2 sensor replaced
*Get my Oil Changed

Well got the oil change done in 15 minutes as usual. Searched everywhere for an O2 sensor socket: no luck. Decided a wrench was just as good and rounded off one corner of the nut :cussing: . Decided despite having already soaked it in penetrating lubricant that doing it overnight and once again in the morning would be better.

So what do you you think: I'm cutting the wires and then fitting the wrench around the whole nut after heating up the exhaust for much longer than the 3 minutes which is recommended. After its out the new one shouldn't be a huge problem with just the wrench: I need recommendations quick! And an O2 sensor socket isn't a possibility. Can't find one to rent anywhere.

Are you really too cheap to buy one?

[sailsurf7713]

I would buy one, if I could find one, Autozone was out of stock, Napa didn't have em'. So I tried a rental place, no luck there. Guess I'll take a ride up to sears tomorrow. Renting just seemed like the better alternative, The truck has 141500 miles on it. This is the first time an O2 sensor is being replaced. (If I had owned it since bought they would be replaced every year). The amount of use it'll get doesn't seem to justify the price you know? But, whatever it takes, I'm not paying a mechanic.

[mopar318]

How do you know the O2 is bad? Did you hook up a DVOM to it and see what the voltage is doing? Would hate to replace something and still be broke. And You dont really need a "O2 socket" A line wrench will work just fine.

[mopar318]

Double post??

Another thing. Is this a upstream or down stream O2? If your truck has that many miles and you think you need a down stream I wouldnt even worry about it. It has no effect of the performance on your truck.

[sailsurf7713]

I just figured it was a good place to start. I've had a check engine light on and off at complete random. I had it checked and it came up as the voltage was too high (downstream). It seemed more as if it had gone bad, as the check engine light should be on more consistently otherwise correct? I do understand that the downstream O2 sensor shouldn't have an affect on performance, but since it started this I've gotten about 7-9 mpg and a lack of porwer through the rpms, leading my to believe that maybe the cat is clogged, which would explain the tripped codes, lack of power, my recently repaired exhaust leak opening up again, etc. I can't return the O2 sensor now that its been opened, and I'm not shipping it back to summit, so mind as well install it right?

I'm really starting to hate the fact I was convinced not to sell this thing. What length should my cat be?

[durangotrkrt]

You need to use a torch!!! to get it off. belive me gettin o2 sensors off are a pain in the ass if you dont have a torch.

[sailsurf7713]

I have one, Trust me: its part of my plan of action tomorrow, I had way to much lubricant on it today. Really appreciate the help guys.

[mopar318]

I just figured it was a good place to start. I've had a check engine light on and off at complete random. I had it checked and it came up as the voltage was too high (downstream). It seemed more as if it had gone bad, as the check engine light should be on more consistently otherwise correct? I do understand that the downstream O2 sensor shouldn't have an affect on performance, but since it started this I've gotten about 7-9 mpg and a lack of porwer through the rpms, leading my to believe that maybe the cat is clogged, which would explain the tripped codes, lack of power, my recently repaired exhaust leak opening up again, etc. I can't return the O2 sensor now that its been opened, and I'm not shipping it back to summit, so mind as well install it right?

I'm really starting to hate the fact I was convinced not to sell this thing. What length should my cat be?

Call summit and they will have fed ex pick it up. While your at it order some piping and install it in place of the cat. Or order a High flow from summit if you have emisions. I dont understand why you would wanna replace the O2 if you though the cat was clogged but live and learn I guess.

[sailsurf7713]

Hahahaha, yeah I guess, The O2 sensor was heat sealed though, and its already been opened to analyze the size of the nut, which means it can't be returned, plus it was 45 dollars, would I like that back, sure, but paying the restocking fee and stuff on top of it, I don't think its worth it. The cat just occured to me about a day ago, and in all honesty I'm not sure if that's the case. I do have emissions tests to pass, so a cat is necessary. Any recommendations? I was gonna go with dynomax, but I'm not sure If I need the 14" or 18" or why in the hell there is a 100% price jump between the two.

I'm not sure how I still say I love the damn truck haha, after the thousands of dollars I've spent fixing the damn thing in a little more than 1 1/2 years. I miss 25 mpg highway, what happened:jester: .

In any case I'm gonna finish what I started, with a blow torch :mullet: and order up a cat as soon as my next paycheck rolls around. Thanks for the help man. Really appreciate it.

[mopar318]

I had a carsound cat on my truck. I dont have emmisions and Im out doing my 2.5 exhaust so said the hell with it and took it off. Its sitting in my barn collected dust if your interested.

[dickc]

An upstream O2 sensor that is much older than the downstream O2 sensor can set a P0420 (Catalytic Converter Efficiency) code. Just something to keep in mind. Good luck with the removal. Been there.

[sailsurf7713]

The upstream will be something else on my list, very soon :jester: . But right now its just the downstream that's acting up. They've both been in there for 6 years, so they should be going on their what? minimal 2nd replacement haha.

So what do you think:

One of these should do me fine: Dynomax Cat (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=WLK%2D15038&N=700+4294923429+4294867633+4294891681+4294791975+ 4294791974+115&autoview=sku)

I'll just have it welded up and hopefully I'll be done fixing this damn, I mean wonderful automobile for awhile haha.

[mopar318]

I wouldnt really say O2's are a wear Item. Mines orginal, 11 years old and has 142k on it.

[sailsurf7713]

I can't say I don't agree, however I've also heard that they "lose their touch" and effectiveness as years go by. That's a real sick truck you got there by the way.

[mopar318]

Thanks for the compliment

And about that cat..im sure it would do just fine but I cant say since i didnt have a dynomax. I ran a magnaflow carsound cat. I deff. felt an improvement and increase in MPG's.

[sailsurf7713]

It's supposed to be good up to 460 c.i.d. I've got a couple weeks to make a decision so no worries.

[Slow97dakota]

fuck the rear 02 sensor and its expensive price. cut the wires go get a simm from 02simmulators.com and wire it up for $21 shipped

[sailsurf7713]

Well a blow torch and a few first degree burns later, the new sensor is in the truck. Reset the computer and no check engine light so far. Gonna drive it tonight and see what happens. When I've got the money to burn its getting a new cat, new muffler, and the exhaust leak is getting fixed at an exhaust shop by my school.

This could be a stupid question, but the myth about modern engines decreasing in performance when the check engine light is on no matter what to reduce the chance of damage. True or not?

[Rob454]

I usually just unhook the connector then slide the closed end of a wrench on it. when its on there then I tap the wrench with a small sledge hammer. Comes off with one or two taps
Rob