DIY info on oxygen sensor replacement??

Ladybug263 · 10-15-2007, 12:26 PM

Anyone have DIY on removal/replacement of oxygen sensors?
98 Chevy 1500 4.3L.

I'd like to change the oxygen sensors on my own if it's not too involved. (I'm new at doing my own repairs)

bradrhale · 10-15-2007, 12:49 PM

some people use wrenches but the socket does not cost that much. unplug and unscrew the old one out. put in the new one and plug her up. dont want to scare you but have seen some that hate coming out and requires retapping of the hole and/or other means of getting out.

75K30 · 10-15-2007, 12:53 PM

These buggers can be a pain once in a while.
I would not suggest that you use an open end wrench to remove the sensor, 6 point box end maybe. You may round the sensor off, and will make it almost impossible to remove.
You can purchase a special socket designed for the removal of O2 sensors. This will help quite a bit. Since the exhaust gets hot the removal of the sensor may be a little difficult, so expect a little bit of a struggle.
Often a little bit of heat applied to the "bung" from a small propane torch helps with the removal process.

mrjohnwayne · 10-15-2007, 01:02 PM

ditto to both. PB blaster (penetrating oil in spray can) can be your friend when trying to remove 02 sensors as well.

Ladybug263 · 10-15-2007, 01:07 PM

Comparing pricing on-line at various auto parts stores and confused a little bit. Some say that 2 sensors are required, some don't. Heated, not heated. If I bring my truck to the parts store, should I ASSUME that whoever is helping me will know exactly what I need?? And they can show me where the sensor(s) is(are) located.

75K30 · 10-15-2007, 01:20 PM

I believe that your ride has two sensors, and they are located before and behind the cat. converter.
You can identify the sensors by VIN number, or by the number that is stamped on the sensor itself.
You may consider a good quality sensor. I can't say anything bad about the Bosch (trying to be polite), but I do prefer the Denso.

Question for you Ladybug263;
Why the need to change the sensor(s) anyway? Did you recieve a code that indicated a bad one?

Ladybug263 · 10-15-2007, 02:19 PM

P0420 Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
Posted questions back in August on this and transmission solenoid codes.
Advice was to first have oxygen sensors checked to pass emissions and then move on to other codes.

75K30 · 10-15-2007, 03:04 PM

I do recall the post. Would be a decent idea to replace them. You can however have them checked with a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool will check the speed and performance of the sensor.
Good luck.

J Long · 10-15-2007, 05:52 PM

Get an oxygen sensor socket and some rust penetrating spray. Don't risk chewing the head of the old sensor(s). If you can get around without the vehicle, take the old sensors into the parts store with you to confirm they are selling you the right one(s). Before installing the new sensors, clean off the threads on the pipes with carb cleaner and small steel detail brush. Also clean the electrical contacts on the connecting wires with plastic compatible contact cleaner spray. The threads on the new sensors should be coated with anti-seize (most come with a coating). It's a dirty job under and grit will fly as you disconnect and unbolt stuff so where goggles to keep grit out of your eyes.

nnunez · 10-16-2007, 09:10 AM

in my 96 c10 with PO420, I changed the cat and no problems after that.

Are we sure that the sensors code is PO420?

10-15-2007, 12:26 PM	#1
Ladybug263 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 22	DIY info on oxygen sensor replacement?? Anyone have DIY on removal/replacement of oxygen sensors? 98 Chevy 1500 4.3L. I'd like to change the oxygen sensors on my own if it's not too involved. (I'm new at doing my own repairs)

10-15-2007, 01:02 PM	#4
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,722	ditto to both. PB blaster (penetrating oil in spray can) can be your friend when trying to remove 02 sensors as well. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

10-15-2007, 05:52 PM	#9
J Long Full Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 18	Get an oxygen sensor socket and some rust penetrating spray. Don't risk chewing the head of the old sensor(s). If you can get around without the vehicle, take the old sensors into the parts store with you to confirm they are selling you the right one(s). Before installing the new sensors, clean off the threads on the pipes with carb cleaner and small steel detail brush. Also clean the electrical contacts on the connecting wires with plastic compatible contact cleaner spray. The threads on the new sensors should be coated with anti-seize (most come with a coating). It's a dirty job under and grit will fly as you disconnect and unbolt stuff so where goggles to keep grit out of your eyes. __________________ 74 C-10 - 350 - 2WD 69 C-10 - 350 - 2WD

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10-15-2007, 12:49 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	some people use wrenches but the socket does not cost that much. unplug and unscrew the old one out. put in the new one and plug her up. dont want to scare you but have seen some that hate coming out and requires retapping of the hole and/or other means of getting out.

10-15-2007, 12:53 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	These buggers can be a pain once in a while. I would not suggest that you use an open end wrench to remove the sensor, 6 point box end maybe. You may round the sensor off, and will make it almost impossible to remove. You can purchase a special socket designed for the removal of O2 sensors. This will help quite a bit. Since the exhaust gets hot the removal of the sensor may be a little difficult, so expect a little bit of a struggle. Often a little bit of heat applied to the "bung" from a small propane torch helps with the removal process.

10-15-2007, 01:07 PM	#5
Ladybug263 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 22	Comparing pricing on-line at various auto parts stores and confused a little bit. Some say that 2 sensors are required, some don't. Heated, not heated. If I bring my truck to the parts store, should I ASSUME that whoever is helping me will know exactly what I need?? And they can show me where the sensor(s) is(are) located.

10-15-2007, 01:20 PM	#6
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	I believe that your ride has two sensors, and they are located before and behind the cat. converter. You can identify the sensors by VIN number, or by the number that is stamped on the sensor itself. You may consider a good quality sensor. I can't say anything bad about the Bosch (trying to be polite), but I do prefer the Denso. Question for you Ladybug263; Why the need to change the sensor(s) anyway? Did you recieve a code that indicated a bad one?

10-15-2007, 02:19 PM	#7
Ladybug263 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 22	P0420 Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1 Posted questions back in August on this and transmission solenoid codes. Advice was to first have oxygen sensors checked to pass emissions and then move on to other codes.

10-15-2007, 03:04 PM	#8
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	I do recall the post. Would be a decent idea to replace them. You can however have them checked with a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool will check the speed and performance of the sensor. Good luck.

10-16-2007, 09:10 AM	#10
nnunez Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 307	in my 96 c10 with PO420, I changed the cat and no problems after that. Are we sure that the sensors code is PO420?