Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

I am so goddamn pissed off.  Got a CEL, pulled the code, upstream O2 sensor.  $40 part from Rock Auto, secured.  The sensor itself is easily accessed.

The connector, however, is not.  As near as I can tell, it has a lock tab that must be pushed up before the connector can be separated.  But the tab is on the "obverse," you can't fucking see it.  And the connector assembly is pinned/clipped to a bracket with one of those goddamn infernal clips, and the whole thing is covered by a heat shield that I can't move sufficiently out of the way.  If it were rotated 180 degrees this would be easy peasy, although I understand these things can be a bitch to separate.

A fucking plastic clip is gonna cost me like $200.  Motherfucker is sitting there mocking me.

Just venting, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'm open.

 

PXL_20250308_183644632.jpg

Edited by TwiceHorn
Posted
6 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Until it’s time to get the safety inspection, if in Texas. 

Driving with a bad O2 sensor can kill your catalytic converter.  And that is often more than just an emissions/inspection issue.  Horrible rough running, plugged exhaust.  I have replaced them before myself, other times let others do it.  For some reason I got a bug up my ass about DIY this time.

  • Like 1
Posted
5 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

Driving with a bad O2 sensor can kill your catalytic converter.  And that is often more than just an emissions/inspection issue.  Horrible rough running, plugged exhaust.  I have replaced them before myself, other times let others do it.  For some reason I got a bug up my ass about DIY this time.

What type/year of vehicle?  I hate when they do shit like that heat shield design.

Posted
8 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

Driving with a bad O2 sensor can kill your catalytic converter.  And that is often more than just an emissions/inspection issue.  Horrible rough running, plugged exhaust.  I have replaced them before myself, other times let others do it.  For some reason I got a bug up my ass about DIY this time.

Well your CEL is already on, just remove your cats altogether. 

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

What type/year of vehicle?  I hate when they do shit like that heat shield design.

2017.   It's a turbo 4 so it does get rather toasty in there.  I actually worked it back enough, got a mirror from wife's compact and found the lock tab.  It moved.  But, it seems I also have to push on it while trying to separate the parts and it's a no go.

Edited by TwiceHorn
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

2017.   It's a turbo 4 so it does get rather toasty in there.  I actually worked it back enough, got a mirror from wife's compact and found the lock tab.  It moved.  But, it seems I also have to push on it while trying to separate the parts and it's a no go.

Yeah sometimes you can pry the shield back enough to pull it out, but if not it’s probably riveted on which is a PITA. A good engineer would put the tab on the part that is replaceable so you could pop it or cut it but nah, usually it’s in the other piece.  I see the rivet on the end of the shield now.  If you’re ambitious you can drill it out and replace it with a screw (see YouTube)

Edited by Judge Roybeanbag
  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
2 hours ago, torre said:

May consider asking the local Autozone, Dealer, or Garage for advice.  Others have likely encountered same issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I think I know what to do, just unable to execute.  And my hand hurts from banging around in there.

Posted
22 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Until it’s time to get the safety inspection, if in Texas. 

 

22 hours ago, Updawg said:


Didn’t we get rid of those?

 

22 hours ago, Ghost of NMAS said:

Not in counties with emissions tests

safety inspection we got rid of, smog we did not.

Posted

They make a little tool to help get the connectors off with. Not sure if that would help you. If you get an O2 sensor socket, you should be able to rotate the sensor a little so you can see the clip.
A lot of times, they come off easier if the sensor is a little warmer.

Posted
On 3/9/2025 at 3:36 PM, T’Boo Ted Marshall said:

Yup. Just replaced both on the passenger side of my F150. Upstream was a bitch to get to.

Two weeks ago on my 2007 4.6 Triton. I had to go all in and cut the wires on the old one so I could pull on the wires with pliers while just barely reaching the connector with the tips of my fingers. 

Posted
On 3/9/2025 at 4:45 PM, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Have you checked YouTube or forums about replacing it on your vehicle? I don’t think you were clear about the vehicle model so it’s difficult to find online resources.

Extensively.  There's exactly one video and it blows right past the connector. 2017 Cadillac ATS 2.0T

Posted
10 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

Two weeks ago on my 2007 4.6 Triton. I had to go all in and cut the wires on the old one so I could pull on the wires with pliers while just barely reaching the connector with the tips of my fingers. 

If I did that, I have zero doubt the wires would pull out of the connector and then I'd get to drive it, probably running like hammered shit to the shop.

Posted
10 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

Two weeks ago on my 2007 4.6 Triton. I had to go all in and cut the wires on the old one so I could pull on the wires with pliers while just barely reaching the connector with the tips of my fingers. 

Done this a few times on parts I knew was coming out..hell or high water. 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...