O2 sensor replacement?

[majdomo]

Stupid questions prob but here goes...need to do this eventually, is this difficult to DIY, do you need the special tool or can it just come off using an open-ended wrench, and there’s only one right?

...asking for a noobie friend.


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[e30davie]

yah just unscrew it with a spanner.

[george graves]

Yes. And don't use a PB blaster thing unless you plan to throw it away. It's sensitive to oils.

[majdomo]

Awesome - thanks much! I’m replacing because this is causing an intermittent CEL, throwing codes for O2 and I have no idea when it was done last. Apparently this is a wear item at 60k miles and I’m at 132k. Passed smog just fine, but my gas mileage could be better...


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[jaredmac11]

I had to saw mine off and get a socket on it... after a lot of blow torch and PB. But I think it was original and over 100k miles.

[majdomo]

Ouch. I know mine has come off recently but it hasn’t been replaced. Hope I don’t end up needing a blowtorch!


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[bmwman91]

You can also get some high temperature anti-seize compound and brush it lightly onto the threads of the new one. This will ensure that it isn't as hard to remove in the future. Just make sure that it is labeled as being safe for O2 sensors.

[majdomo]

Good call, thanks. Need a jack first then the part, then the balls to actually attempt. Seems easy enough but I say that about all my repairs as I’m still swearing at things 3h later.


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[ttrousdell]

I personally have two broken O2 sockets sitting in the scrap pile on my property. "Just unscrew it with a spanner"...must be nice. Not here in the northeast.

[majdomo]

My mechanic took out and swapped the O2 sensor about 7-8 mos ago as we tried to diagnose what ended up being a CPS sensor failing. (Note to other M42 owners - use an OEM genuine BMW CPS sensor, the Motronic seems very allergic to any aftermarket!)

So it’s possible the O2 got fouled in all that removing and checking, but being in southern CA and with recent removal it’s at least even odds a spanner alone will work.


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[cscracker]

I bought one of these and it's worked great so far:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00390BS7C/

Used it for my wideband install on my e30 and just recently used it on my e28 to replace with a new stock sensor. Super rusty, needed a cheater bar, but it did the trick. Had to smack it on the floor several times to bust the socket loose from the old sensor after removal, it was that crusty.

[majdomo]

I bought one of these and it's worked great so far:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00390BS7C/

Used it for my wideband install on my e30 and just recently used it on my e28 to replace with a new stock sensor. Super rusty, needed a cheater bar, but it did the trick. Had to smack it on the floor several times to bust the socket loose from the old sensor after removal, it was that crusty.

Nice. Harbor Freight does a knockoff of this for $7 and I’m lucky enough to have a HF down the street. At that price may just get one when I pick up the floor jack.


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[roguetoaster]

Yep, the HF tool works fine, but if you round it off you'll need a pipe wrench to get it out, so go easy.

[majdomo]

Yep, the HF tool works fine, but if you round it off you'll need a pipe wrench to get it out, so go easy.

Or just pipe wrench to begin with, like a pirate!


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[george graves]

I’m lucky enough to have a HF down the street.

I use to live near a donut shop that started cooking them at like 2am. I always went to sleep craving donuts. So.....can you smell that cheap chinese plastic/rubber being a block away?