How To Replace Oxygen Sensor

Ok, so you want to know how to replace your oxygen sensor eh? That's understandable. If you have been told that your oxygen sensor is bad or faulty, it will need to be replaced, and what better way to do that than by doing it yourself. Most mechanics will call this the DIY method, and it can be done with a few basic tools.

What you will need:
*An adjustable Crescent Wrench
*A Flat tip Screw Driver
*A New Oxygen Sensor

Now, because this is an article written on the general process of removing an oxygen sensor, remember that each vehicle is different and could have other things that need to be removed or replaced along the way.

Step One: Locate your Oxygen Sensor
On most vehicles, you will find your Oxygen Sensor located on your exhaust somewhere. On front wheel drive vehicle you will often find it on the front side of the engine when you open the hood. On rear wheel drive engines you will most likely find it located under the car right below the donut gasket. There are often 2 Oxygen Sensors on rear wheel drive engines on either side of the exhaust piping.

Step Two: Remove the Oxygen Sensor
First, you will need to see if your oxygen sensor has a wiring harness that can be removed from the tip of the sensor, or if it will need to be pulled off somewhere on the engine. Remove the harness to make removing the oxygen sensor easier. Then take your adjustable crescent wrench, adjust it to the appropriate size and unscrew the sensor from the exhaust.

*Note* It is very useful to have some Penetrating Lubricant around to help you loosen the seal on the Oxygen Sensor.

Step Three: Put in Your New Oxygen Sensor
This step will seem a little weird because the best way to put in the new sensor is to have the wiring already connected, then turn the sensor a bunch until the wiring is bound up a bit and then start it into the hole where it needs to go. Then just tighten it into place. It might take a couple of tries, but just remember that you can do it!

Some things to remember before starting this project:
*Make sure your engine is cold. You will be working around the exhaust and it gets HOT, so make sure your car has had lots of time to sit and cool down.
*Have some gloves and goggles with you. They will protect your fingers and eyes in small spaces. There is usually lots of rust and debris around exhaust that does not feel good in your eyes.
*Don't force it! There is one rule of mechanics that I find most people will ignore which gets them into trouble. If you are forcing it, you are doing it wrong. Your parts only fit in one way, and although it sometimes takes some elbow grease, forcing something in to place will only cause you more trouble!

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