how to remove a stuck o2 sensor

[Kershaw]

i went to replace the o2 sensor on a friends e36. well, obd1 e36s have an incredibly stupid o2 sensor location, it is at the y-pipe on the top of the damn exhaust pipe. very little space to reach it. i couldnt get a decent angle on it to really put forth some torque.

so i decided to think smarter.



i tied the rope to the e30 tie down and looped it around the handle of the wrench.

[Pinepig]

You have a busted exhaust hanger.

[Dj Buttchug]

haha i assume fail.

[F34R]

Are you the guy that caught his car on fire? Makes sense now...

[woodisgood]

You left out whether it worked or not......E30 tractor?

[george graves]

Your mom said that you left that rock in the driveway.

She ran over it when she was leaving to come over here.

[F34R]

You mom said that you left that rock in the driveway.

She ran over it when she was leaving to come over here.

The "your mom" jokes made it to grandpa. ;)

[gooseadrian]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=2899372

Now I understand...

[lolcantturn]

Wut.

[TurboJake]

I see your 02 sensor, and raise you an E30 carcass with a fat man laughing like a little girl, cursing at nothing, and doing this while trying to not touch a dead honda accord that the neighbors abandoned in the driveway before the neighbors abandoned the apartment.





E30 tractor?
Yes.

[Xat1cZ]

was this before or after you tried TNT ... I'd say 10 gram would do it.

EDIT: actually C4 is probably more fitting for your needs, shape it around the sensor, again 10 grams I think is sufficient for your needs, but if you're having trouble with getting the C4 all the way around the sensor feel free to add a little more for the proper effect - that is blasting the sensor out :up:

[Kershaw]

im not sure how my red ix (rip) :( catching fire is related to gaining a much larger mechanical advantage than anything else i had at hand.

it definitely worked. it broke it free really nicely. i was able to unscrew it by hand after that. it didnt strip at all. worked very effectively. you can hear it break free @ 00:14. that was no small sound for a bolt breaking free.

and that rock was there so i could come back to a "resting" stop that wouldnt untension the lines.

i tried everything before this. pb blaster, torch, etc. but the problem is it's location is really stupid. it's right below the driveshaft in the driveshaft tunnel. not a lot of space to get a decent amount of torque on it. you cant get a breaker on it. only a small 3/8" drive could fit. im not sure a crows foot wrench would fit either, i think the pipes would be in the way.

and yes, my exhaust hanger broke last wednesday. :/

[Vedubin01]

you are always 1 step away from winning a Darwin award!

[Kershaw]

yes. absolutely. you sure are correct about that.

[MR 325]

Wow...