“mechanic” SECRET to removing oxygen sensor (stuck or seized) O2

[@LuisMartinez-zd2vl]

A good video. Straightforward and no annoying music in the background. Innovative approach to a common problem. Thanks for posting.

[@KP11520]

Gotta love these guys that show a top mounted O2 sensor above the engine rather than one tucked up under the car in a tight area and NO LIFT! This video depicts less than 5% of the combinations out there. And doesn't acknowledge the other 95% or any helpful tips with those that don't have clearance. Nor disconnecting the O2 sensor at the junction, up wire, so not to stress, if reusing it!

[@arthurgay5746]

And I didn't see any rust anywhere! I'm a mechanic in Nova Scotia Canada. We need an acetylene torch to get some of them out. And oftentimes the threads stay behind

[@jfoster1433]

Got that problem now.😂 Trying to get the O2 sensor off under the car in a very tight spot.

[@arthurgay5746]

@@jfoster1433 if you're replacing it then cut the wires and put a 22 mil wrench on it. If you have to you can take an old cheap wrench and heat it up and bend it if you have to.

[@kenmastersmaster]

If you can't do it go to a shop. It's like a $100 job

[@rogeronslow1498]

Absolutely correct.

[@ericlasheski9412]

I used that exact method and from the ground with no lift so didnt have much room for leverage. I was soo surprised when it worked. Ty for this help

[@kinggooktheautistickingewg788]

What most of these tips and tricks videos have is either a breaker bar or plenty of room to manuver, or usually both. I do not have that. There's no way to get a breaker bar into it. The sensor is extremly siezed.

[@Eurospec73]

I’m just getting ready to dive into the O2 removal project now you probably saved me about two hours worth of time lol thank you very much and God bless you🙏✝️

[@markdufour7102]

Rolled a corner of the sensor with a long handled wrench. Got a socket like the one depicted. Small cutout, not the ones missing a whole side. Clamped down a 7/8 and it worked perfectly. Thanks!

[@brandonyoung1182]

What about cutting the wire and using deep well if it’s being replaced anyway

[@Currancchs]

This is the way

[@user-oq1ss3fv4c]

O2 sensors are so cheap that I replace all of them at one time so i don't have to go through the bull of doing it again within the year. So yes cut the sensor tail, I do but before you do make sure the o2 sensor has been slightly loosened.

[@agusleon63]

@@user-oq1ss3fv4cmy was $140 dollars not so cheap but is ok

[@chargerboi9126]

I cut mine used a deep socket and it's locked on too tight

[@Rod-ej8hz]

This is got to be the best video I have seen on o2 sensor removal . Thank you this works .

[@leroyusa935]

The O2 sensors that are the most tough to remove are the ones that are downstream and only accessible from underneath. There's such a limited amount of space to make most tools useless to get the leverage needed. A torch was required, and I still needed a thread chaser to install the new replacement sensor properly, and for the next time, there's a similar issue again.

[@davycrockett4395]

Been working on mine for 3 days now. I tried that trick over and over the first 2. Ive never seen a sensor so embedded into something like this.

[@peteespinosa2186]

Never push a break over bar/ratchet away from you. Always find a way to pull, pull, pull. Great other than that.

[@timferguson1526]

Great idea! Thanks!❤

[@mimsnshine]

Very Nice, Thanks so much, worked like a charm...

[@raiden031]

I had one stuck and the completely rounded out the hex nut on the sensor using the O2 sensor socket. I had to resort to a pipe wrench cause it has some excellent grip

[@pivotmaster9556]

howd you get the pipe wrench tight enough if it was rounded off already?

[@raiden031]

@@pivotmaster9556 don't know but the teeth on that thing gripped it really well

[@user-oq1ss3fv4c]

This is a great idea if there is a good amount of clearance. LOL , the simplest and most sensible is to bring the exhaust to running temp, this will cause the metal to expand turn your vehicle off get under there with a wrench or an adjustable and loosen the o2 sensor with ease. Just watch the exhaust it is very hot. This works well if you do not have a set of torches.

[@user-uw1sx3xt1e]

Love this - thanks.

[@hacobdhhd1279]

Now this is a great tip thanks for the help keep it up

[@jdmjesus6103]

I modified an old bearing race to be a knock-on fit to do the same thing. Same principle. It really is the best way.

[@jivepatrol6833]

This is an excellent idea and methodology! Thank you!

[@jamesj.litteriojr.433]

Very Nice, Smart, Improvised!!!!!!!! 👍

[@rustywater3219]

Just use a blue wrench (propane was enough for me last week) on the exhaust side of the threads (not the sensor itself). Things will start expanding and eventually release. Make sure you use anti seize when reinstalling. Don't let the car body get too hot, I've seen videos of people catching the carpet on fire when playing with fire or welding under the car.

[@gotglasses]

@ kinggook- did you get the job done? I use a long 1/2 extension and keep a lot of downward pressure on the tool as I break it free. If that tool rocks you get complications.

[@CentralCanada]

Thanks for taking the time to produce & share this enlightenment vid' . Now if I can find the location of the 'sensor that the RockAuto sys identified & sold me (x2) for my '82 F-100 V6 3.8L M3oT !

[@YourTioTravels]

Great tips!!! If replacing anyway why would it matter to spin the wire?

[@ericjamalthagod]

where you get the tool from

[@buffystclair9042]

Good tip but in my 40 plus years as a mechanic I never seen or thought about this as an issue. Yes , O2 sensors do seize in but if your removing it , it’s for a reason that you suspect it’s bad and replacing it. I usually cut the wire off so i don’t have to use the special socket ( I have a few variations of them) , make sure your 7/8 deep sockets bore is all the way up. Take a die grinder to do this if yours isn’t. I found a cheaper one that luckily was already deep enough and no grinding needed. The reason for using the $10 cheap one is so I didn’t have to bore out a $50 snap on socket

[@bigonaka8159]

Thank you. I was thinking why are all these people not cutting the wire, I got the new O2 sensor it not like in going to change my mind once I have the thing off. Why not cut the wire. I guess I'll learn in about an hour. I'll chime in and let you know how it went.

[@jdmjesus6103]

There are scenarios when you want to keep the sensor. Fitting an aftermarket pipe for example, or using the location for a wide band sensor when tuning. Others too.

[@ntstudio28]

thank you!

[@user-gh4is7wf3c]

Wish I had all that room around mine in our Buick Lacrosse. That almost looks easy compared to what I'm fighting.

[@whitetiger8652]

Great idea!

[@alextinpin3577]

Thanks!

[@victorvillanueva3340]

Thank you boss

[@whateverwhatsup]

I have a lot of questions because I have been stuck taking out this o2 sensor for months ( over 6 months ago probably longer). That angle you were showing I don't have that option. I have to jack that care up and do it under the car. You make it look so easy when I have been trying to do it myself I have been failing a lot of times. I have no leverage from the ground are you removing that from the top?

[@MitchGrooms]

WOW, THANK YOU

[@Petesworkshop2225]

That would work. But ive got a different one that doesn't need help, it's just thicker metal.

[@philtolfreeart]

THANK. YOU. SIR.

[@axenz1]

Good technique 👍👍

[@toysoldier46552]

Protip, before spinning those sensors out, unplug them from the harness so you don't have to worry about fighting with that wire.

[@vanessademaria4742]

Duh really.

[@elingus9224]

The oxygen sensor socket is for installing the new sensor. If you are replacing the sensor you can just cut the wire off and use a normal socket for removal, no rigging required.

[@username8171]

Yaa ! So someone else had the same idea as me. If you are replacing the sensor just cut off the wires and no need for the special socket.

[@RedPaw715]

Just asking... Could you cut the wires and then use a regular deep socket?

[@hjsn1]

Of course, as long as you're going to replace it anyway.

[@NathanLeMarbe]

That's what I do. Just make sure you have the correct replacement.

[@ryanamero5126]

Wow I had save problem yr the man today sir thanks you 😅

[@hphillips7425]

Good idea 👍🏻

[@PerilNotion]

Yeh, works Great...Except for when it doesnt..

[@hyphylike4088]

great vid

[@florenbaron7111]

Genius!

[@Rick-qf5de]

All wrenches and sockets stretch with age... They can be off as much as 10, th. new from one to the other. Sockets should fit tight so use several layers of aluminum foil as a shim....

[@edgarshoe]

i wish mine was that easy to access. nice trick!

[@gotglasses]

You are giving me the courage to try this technique on my recent acquisition 2015 Benz sl400 . This was a flood car with a rebuilt title brand . There was no visible rust on my inspection but getting underneath the. Exhaust has rust on the O2 sensors. It has loads of electrical issues and the O2 sensors are dead at 26k miles. Body is perfect so I hesitate but am sure I will be a lot more careful than most mechanics. Any advice on stuff to look for is appreciated.

[@arthurgay5746]

Try that in the "rust belt" that flimsy socket is only any good for installing a new sensor.

[@livefree6878]

The rust belt is no fun, if I can get a pipe wrench in a tight spot that really gives you some good leverage. Without that clamp on that long socket, it never works👍

[@arthurgay5746]

@@livefree6878 acetylene torch becomes your friend. We switched to oxy - propane.

[@bobbyb177]

Why not just snip the wires at the at the O2 sensor and use a box wrench

[@shivarampersaud6799]

In case you can't get it off and need to drive it an AutoZone 💀

[@gotglasses]

I have done that as a long 21mm works as long as it not too frozen for a 12 point wrench. Then it rounds off the Sensor nut . You really need a 6 point socket to avoid that.

[@lewislane9727]

Sure it works great all I have to do is turn my motor down so I can get to it this video helps not one bit when you're lying on your back underneath your vehicle with your hands tied in knots up in the chassis

[@kylewilliams6090]

Now..a trick for the sensors with the guard around it.

[@DennisKwasnycia]

Damn. I love how these vids are made with vehicles that have room for luxuries like breaker bars and deep sockets. Mini coopers FML.

[@galevest4545]

If I'm pulling a a O2 sensor off it's getting replaced so anymore I just cut the wire and throw a socket on it

[@martinf9626]

Good , that's exactly what I was going to try as a second option

[@gallen3205]

Pretty good

[@kevwhufc8640]

I miss the simplicity of older cars , when you could lift the bonnet and see everything, and didn't have to remove a ton of plastic covers or pipes , before they had sensor things that look like spark plugs etc etc.. I used to do my own basic maintenance at home . I didn't know what thst sensor thing was until looking on utube, I thought it was a spark plug & just wondered why it had a spark plug sticking out of an aluminium cover around the manifold, I can't even see that part of the exhaust & see where the blowing noise is actually coming from...

[@simontist]

Very smart

[@alexxolo5742]

my favourite for O2 sensors and nox sensors is,...lots of penetrant then i use a heat gun for 5min than a crows foot works everytime

[@charisekirk9250]

I just cut off the wire harness and use a half inch 22mm long impact socket and rachet. Never had a problem.

[@stvargas69]

1, disconnect connector 2 use either 7/8 or 22mm box end wrench 3 if you are not reusing O2, cut its pigtail & use an impact socket. 4, if all else fails heat up pipe not the sensor with a torch to loosen Wear real leather gloves

[@pedro_sanchez.80]

If I’d only seen this before I utterly destroyed the hex

[@user-ti7yt9vj2f]

I've been taking the exhaust system off but once l removed the cab and got a 3 dolla wrench on it eazy as pie

[@pete926]

Rocket science at it's best.

[@user-tj3jy4vk5l]

it is impossible to unscrew it. The edges are already starting to break down😭

[@Cinncinnatus]

Or you just get the socket that comes with a spring steel ring that you slide the socket down into as you put it on the O2 sensor and slips around the outside to stop the socket from stretching open...

[@heresteven]

I was ready to weld more metal to the bottom of the socket to stiffen it. This is an easier idea for everyone.

[@thekingsilverado3266]

My comment was to the fact that appears it will work very well where ya can get in there like that on top of the engine. Under a car its lucky if U can get that socket in there on the damn thing.

[@weepeecullen4790]

Disconnect the pig tail cut the wire use regular socket to put back on a closed end wrench trough the disconnected wire

[@boondock6055]

That hose clamp did absolutely nothing

[@onlyme8870]

I sawsall the sensor so i can use an impact socket. Then use a sensor install tool

[@thecarfixchannel3046]

O2 sensors should not be too tight it's the rust that makes the sensor too tight, I use heating and shrinking method and use the correct tool oe wrench to remove the sensor, I don't know about this hose clamp stuff.

[@robertmartin1993]

i used the similar trick to get my inner tie rod out.

[@jessecharlton240]

Mine has a metal heat shield around it pipe wrench will not work for me

[@Zeghetank]

Since you replace the O2 sensor, why not just cut the wire? There are also another tools to undo them.

[@xCobraModzFTW]

What do I do if this didn't work. Have been trying to avoid using a torch

[@livefree6878]

One thought is to use a pipe wrench, sometimes there’s absolutely no room to get the wrench in. Of course it’s a last resort because it messes up the faces.

[@robertrose3068]

I'm currently trying this just underneath the area where the threads are: Turbo Blue Torch Stick Multi... www.amazon.com/dp/B07BT7LKNY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@arthurwagar88]

Made one of those years ago.

[@readplanet23]

👍🏼

[@agusleon63]

This video save my life Needs to gets more views

[@fixitman2174]

That wasn't stuck or seized, it was just tight. That cheap socket and hose clamp won't work on a sensor that's truly stuck or seized. A thicker O2 socket works in many cases, but sometimes even that won't work. At that point, The sensor isn't going to survive. Just break off the sensor body above the hex, and use a 6-point socket on what's left. That will remove the sensor if it wasn't rounded by the previous attempts.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

or you spray some rust penetrant on it for an hour, then start the engine and run it for 5 minutes then remove the sensor when hot.

[@trusso11783]

Thanks but no good for me. I had the tool and went out and bought a breaker bar. It is so tight in my engine, I could not move the breaker bar into a position that will allow me to get a good grip on. Now I can go and get ripped off blind by a mechanic

[@ViperSniper.]

Never understood why people just don’t cut the wire if you’re replacing it and put a regular socket on it…

[@matthewtarka2804]

you're lucky....you can get at that one.......

[@krakenhits1587]

I want to remove my downstream O2 sensor to check it and possibly clean it but I'm afraid to break it. What happens if it breaks will my car still run?

[@yunggod1981]

Yeah it will run brother, just got under my car I bought from a use lot, o2 sensor was not even plugged in

[@yunggod1981]

Causing the check engine to be on for a week of driving it like that

[@krakenhits1587]

@@yunggod1981 did it go away when you plugged it in or did you have to replace it? Someone unplugged it for a reason 😔

[@yunggod1981]

@@krakenhits1587 reset it by disconnecting battery cable, drove for about 50 miles it never came back on and runs way better, they just disconnected it after cleaning a shit ton of oil under the engine because of a massive timing cover leak and forgot to connect it back. Idiots.

[@michaelvette7659]

The socket is meant for installing a "New" sensor. For removing? Where possible? A combination wrench works for me. Think its a 7/8's or cut the wire and put a full socket over it. Also theres nothing wrong with putting a LiL heat on it. Or doing it, a few/several minutes. After you turn off the engine, warm not hot! Not right after. CAUTION: touching hot exhaust, will give you an instant blister. Even a test touch, DONT!

[@kermitefrog64]

I like this. I can not get mine off and I am afraid its going to strip.

[@everythingvideos24]

Those socets aren't worth crap even on the most rusted 02 sensors. I bought 2 brands of 02 sockets and none of them worked.

[@songsfromthelord888]

Thanks, Live Free! 🙂 Remember that God loves ❤️ you!

[@SukottoSama]

i hate how easy ppl make this look. like bruh your doing this from up top i got like 2 inches of space for my breaker bar

[@Exekutioncro]

Just cut the cable and put a regular 22 socket on it 🤣 youre changing the sensor

[@TringmotionCoUk]

Using an imperial socket on a metric bolt. That's why it's slipping 😂 It's 22mm NOT 7/8"

[@fieldsofomagh]

The design of the socket is lacking and the solution is simple.

[@livefree6878]

👍👍

[@SRS677]

Or you can just cut off the cord since its getting replaced anyway.

[@ladyshiva69]

did nothing but get in way

[@ThomasLMeyer]

That didn’t work. All it did was snap the screw clamp.

[@user-qi5vj9zy9t]

Complicate this a little by changing an O2 sensor that's on the rear of the engine where arms can't fit with a cm of clearance between itself and the bulk head... A top mounted is a dream but in reality the bastard isn't this simple...

[@AbzolombGamez]

That socket sucks , theres literally a wrench built for your 02 sensors

[@BrianBroughten]

I have 2 of the prebuilt and they are sloppy at best. I end up cutting and using a 22 deep well or my gigantic 22 open end. Prebuilt o2 are a no bueno

[@josephzimmerman3384]

Who uses a pipe wrench 😅😂 to remove a O2 sensor 😂😂

[@CentralCanada]

yep, especially when hearing/reading of multiple warnings of excessive force compromising the block threads !?

[@HailAnts]

A word of advice: Never, EVER use a pipe wrench on _anything_ on your car. A pipe wrench is a plumber's tool, not a mechanic's. If you have to, a mechanic uses a pair of Vise-Grips®. If you don't own a pair go out and buy them..

[@gtxoiltastebad]

a tool is a tool...doesn't matter what you call it

[@HailAnts]

A pipe wrench is just that, a wrench for turning pipe fittings. Fairly small ones at that. It can only apply so much torque to anything. And it is *NOT* able to tightly grab anything that isn't perfectly circular. Meaning it is not designed for removing hex nuts or bolts. It is worse than nothing because it will round them off, potentially making them impossible to remove. Vice Grips can apply an order of magnitude of grippage and torque greater than a pipe wrench. He was incorrect to show their use here.

[@gtxoiltastebad]

@@HailAnts All you are doing is show casing your ignorance and fear. We aren't like you . We get things done. You need warning labels.

[@williamfleming3167]

That bullshit does not work dude try again

[@user-fl9yv9my7f]

doesnt work.