O2 change - help

[rogerzr1]

I have the car raised. I can't budge the left hand side o2 sensor, I warmed the car up like the book says. I can't even imagine being able to get to the right hand side o2 sensor. My right side o2 sensor is ontop of the manifold. How do you access it?

Please help someone!!!!

[bradslt5]

roger , do you have the o2 sensor socket ? if not , you need to get one . also a pivoting head ratchet works wonders. you might try some type of nut buster thats used for loosening rusted bolts . i had to do that on the right one on my car .i also used a propane torch on it to heat it alittle . braking it loose can be a little tough . i used a hammer to tap the end of the ratchet to get it broken loose . do you have the car jacked up .? if so get it high enough to give you some room . also when you go to get the connector on the right remove that cross brace . dont worry your motor wont drop promise . removing that brace is really just about the only easy way to get at the connector . other my chime in with an easier way . i can anly share with you what i did . hope this helps

[rogerzr1]

Originally Posted by bradslt5

roger , do you have the o2 sensor socket ? if not , you need to get one . also a pivoting head ratchet works wonders. you might try some type of nut buster thats used for loosening rusted bolts . i had to do that on the right one on my car .i also used a propane torch on it to heat it alittle . braking it loose can be a little tough . i used a hammer to tap the end of the ratchet to get it broken loose . do you have the car jacked up .? if so get it high enough to give you some room . also when you go to get the connector on the right remove that cross brace . dont worry your motor wont drop promise . removing that brace is really just about the only easy way to get at the connector . other my chime in with an easier way . i can anly share with you what i did . hope this helps

I got the left side changed(after getting an o2 socket). Even if I remove the cross brace, it doesn't look like that will give me enough room. What if I only change the left o2 sensor? Can it hurt the car? I have about had it for the day. Another thing on the right side o2 sensor, they have spliced the one that is in there, so if and when I could get to the rt side o2 sensor I will have to do the same. Man this is frustrating. Don't eve know if this will fix the car.

[Tyler Townsley]

Originally Posted by rogerzr1

I got the left side changed(after getting an o2 socket). Even if I remove the cross brace, it doesn't look like that will give me enough room. What if I only change the left o2 sensor? Can it hurt the car? I have about had it for the day. Another thing on the right side o2 sensor, they have spliced the one that is in there, so if and when I could get to the rt side o2 sensor I will have to do the same. Man this is frustrating. Don't eve know if this will fix the car.

I made a tool out of a 3' .25 dowell and a coathanger to deal with the connector.

Tyler

[bradslt5]

just changing one will not hurt a thing. but i would not splice the right one i would hook it up as it was set up from the factory. splicing could change the reading of the sensor . in fact that could be part of the problem. i will have to look at my red car which is still stk to give you better direction on the right sensor . i,ll try to get back at ya within the hr after i jack it up and remove it my self . you have worked so hard on your car it would be my pleasure to try to help

[kenthompson]

Remove the k-brace and you can get into to hook the connector back up.

KT

[Tyler Townsley]

Originally Posted by bradslt5

just changing one will not hurt a thing. but i would not splice the right one i would hook it up as it was set up from the factory. splicing could change the reading of the sensor . in fact that could be part of the problem. i will have to look at my red car which is still stk to give you better direction on the right sensor . i,ll try to get back at ya within the hr after i jack it up and remove it my self . you have worked so hard on your car it would be my pleasure to try to help

At one time someone had a harness extension just for this problem.

OK Guess its time to describe how to use the coathanger and dowell. Take the coathanger and straighten it out and put a 1/4-1/5 hook in one end. You use this to hook the connector. Pull the connector toward you and use the dowell to press the lever to unsnap the connector. To put it back use the dowell to push the connector back into the end.

Tyler

[rogerzr1]

Originally Posted by bradslt5

just changing one will not hurt a thing. but i would not splice the right one i would hook it up as it was set up from the factory. splicing could change the reading of the sensor . in fact that could be part of the problem. i will have to look at my red car which is still stk to give you better direction on the right sensor . i,ll try to get back at ya within the hr after i jack it up and remove it my self . you have worked so hard on your car it would be my pleasure to try to help

Brad, I appreciate all the help and support you and the other guys have offered.
I feel like maybe I am more apart of the z brotherhood now that I have done a few things on the car.

I didn't get the right side sensor out. When I change it, I will have to splice it because there is no connector there. I took the car for a drive. It ran great. I hope that it isn't some atmospheric presure thing that made the car run right. I hope I got lucky and the left sensor was the problem(it was damaged on the outside-one big dent in it).

What are the chances that the left o2 sensor was the problem?

I drove it like a rented mule and it didn't let me down once.

Originally Posted by rogerzr1

I didn't get the right side sensor out. When I change it, I will have to splice it because there is no connector there. I took the car for a drive. It ran great.

What do you mean there is no connector there?

[bradslt5]

roger, way cool . about time you got to have some good zr1 fun @7000 rpm. when you replace the other one make sure you try to make good solid connections that wont get any water in them . but i am very glad its running better . sometimes i think our cars a living things that recognize when they are recieving loving care and reward us when they get it