Removing a Stuck Oxygen Sensor | Tips & Tricks!

[@SomeGuysGarage]

Heat, period. Even a propane torch for 30 seconds makes a huge difference, but oxy-fuel is best to get that heat in fast. I rarely have any luck unless I get heat into it first. Also, use nickel anti-seize rather than silver or copper on exhaust components, it holds up better at really high heat.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks for the added info. I’m going to pin this so everyone else sees it.

[@SomeGuysGarage]

@@SmackeysGarage Welcome!

[@thebearsden1701]

First Cut wire off....next use NORMAL 7/8 deep socket..if clearance not there for deep socket...break off 02 sensor and use standard 7/8.on remainder...heat is your friend here ..I use my actylene torbo torch....very small flame but very hot...at base of bung..15 - 20 secs ...threads come out undamaged .works everytime for me..cheers

[@everythingvideos24]

I wish it was that easy in my case. for two days I've been using a torch, WD40, open end wrench, and hammer still nothing. I bought me the same 02 sensor socket set and I hope i can get it out. I'm working on a 1996 Ford Explorer.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Try the socket, heat, and a giant breaker bar. If you are scraping the sensor I’d cut the wires and use a normal socket

[@MrBigsky13]

Smackey found another way to show off his Sweet Exhaust System. OH, so that's How it's Done? LOL Smackey with the O2 Socket Set.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Ha, you caught me. Love the stainless steel exhaust system. I had a friend take care of the welding though. Much better job than I could have ever done.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Nice idea on the hose clamp thing. I've had sockets open up on me and round off the edges of the O2 sensor, making it even more difficult to remove. I could have used this video 20 years ago. 😆😆

[@SmackeysGarage]

Haha. I’m sure there will be more in your future if you decide to add an air to fuel gauge or go fuel injected.

[@nomad13ify]

2 .5 days 100 dollars tools and parts , some pb blaster and sucessss

[@SmackeysGarage]

Glad to hear. What did you spend $100 bucks on?

[@spartansmith7223]

VERY GOOD VIDEO AND NARRATIVE

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thank you!!! Appreciate the feedback!

[@wangfeng175]

Nice works for the exhaust pipie connection.😀

[@bardstables8909]

Some very good tips my friend. I'll try and remember those.

[@SmackeysGarage]

👍👍

[@thecalled7908]

I used a pipe wrench and it worked great

[@wildthoughts6959]

You operated on a nearly new car , it won't have a 'stuck' sensor. Use an older car with a really stuck sensor . You'd need to torch the thread with high heat . You may also need to cut the top of the sensor off to ease your operation a bit .

[@SmackeysGarage]

The threads on this were galled and it was stuck but you are right, it would be better shown on a completely rusted system. Either way, it works the same. Good tip to cut the top of the sensor off if it is junk anyway!

[@edsmachine93]

Hey Smackey, nice to meet you. Take care, EM.

[@SmackeysGarage]

You as well! Where do you do your machining out of?

[@edsmachine93]

@@SmackeysGarage Rogers Ar. Where are you from?

[@SmackeysGarage]

@@edsmachine93 Eastern Massachusetts.

[@edsmachine93]

@@SmackeysGarage nice. I bet the Sea food is great up there.

[@SmackeysGarage]

@@edsmachine93 Yes it is!

[@PranamyasKitchen]

Good Tips and information

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thank you!

[@samuelrowe2297]

Buen video primu

[@user-mm3gc1hp1i]

Okay

[@robertrose3068]

But that's an almost new exhaust. Not a real-world example. Demo on an older seized sensor.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Even on a newer exhaust they can get stuck enough where the tool separates and falls off. Next one that’s seized in a rusted one I’ll demo as well.

[@robertrose3068]

@@SmackeysGarage Yeah mine isn't coming off so far. I've tried WD40, Liquid Wrench, Freeze Off. I even heat around the weld to try to expand the threads and spray. The heat I use is a small blue butane torch. I bought a propane torch but the rear sensor is just underneath the firewall and as soon as I get the torch at the firewall it flames out. Maybe lacking oxygen to burn? I suppose I could try getting the torch closer before lighting it, but then I risk a pocket of propane before ignition. I get money for a car wreck settlement by Thanksgiving so I may have the entire exhaust replaced with low flow cats. The bad part is, sensor 1 is IN the exhaust manifold (3016 Sonata Hybrid). It keeps sending a P0420 dtc and I replaced sensor 1 which didn't help. I may take it to an exhaust shop just to have them troubleshoot. It could be something as simple as an exhaust leak-I read the sensors are super sensitve.

[@NagashiChidorii]

Agreed bro. Ive tried heat, pb blaster, wd40 and one of those open slotted wrench (not the one in this video) and still having trouble. Im just going to keep heating and pb blast until it comes off. i dont want to cut my o2 off as I need to re-use it

[@NagashiChidorii]

This is def a newer exhaust and not as much of a problem

[@robertrose3068]

@@NagashiChidorii I finally went to a muffler shop-they had it off in 10 minutes. They said it was really stuck in there. After I replaced both O2 sensors, no more P0420! I wish I had just taken it there months ago, but I was afraid they would find the upstream cat was bad-$1500+ because it's inside the manifold. That's just for the part. My mpg went back up to normal as well, which makes sense considering it's not trying to adjust air/fuel as much. 40-42 mpg in a 2016 Sonata Hybrid with 163,000 miles. 😎

[@jeffreylumbar4937]

Heat it then hit it with ice cube makes the threads retract

[@SmackeysGarage]

That's a good tip. I'll have to give that a shot one day.

[@jeffreylumbar4937]

@@SmackeysGarage best way to get them out quick and easy

[@TheWilferch]

Why not use a flare-nut wrench.....essentially an "almost closed" open wrench ?????

[@SmackeysGarage]

That can work. Sometimes they get so stuck in there they do bend even those wrenches.

[@TheWilferch]

@@SmackeysGarage ...no doubt....there are various degrees of difficulty we can encounter. The hose clamp is a good idea on the sensor removal piece.

[@SmackeysGarage]

You are definitely right on different degrees of stuck! Thanks and thanks for providing another tip for people watching.

[@TheWilferch]

@@SmackeysGarage 👍

[@manofweed1]

How about cutting the sensor down then make a slot in the top for a metal bar to exert leverage if the nut part is rounded off ?

[@SmackeysGarage]

You might destroy the body of the oxygen sensor. Don't know if is strong enough to handle that. Assuming you are going to destroy the sensor anyway, I'd consider cutting the top off and welding a nut on to it to grab with a box end wrench.