How to Fix an Oxygen Sensor
An oxygen sensor--also called an O2 sensor--is used by your car's computer to monitor and determine the appropriate fuel-to-air ratio that is being pumped into your engine. A faulty oxygen sensor will cause an improper fuel/air mixture, which in turn leads to an increase in harmful emissions from your exhaust. O2 sensors are designed to be replaced every 90,000 miles or so, and because of this, they are considered to be "disposable" parts. In short, you "fix" a faulty or damaged oxygen sensor by replacing it. Fortunately, it is not difficult or very expensive to replace an O2 sensor.
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Things You'll Need
- Replacement oxygen sensor
- Ratchet or 2-mm wrench
- WD-40 or similar lubricant
Instructions
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1
Locate your faulty oxygen sensors. Older vehicles--pre-1990, typically--will have only one oxygen sensor set in front of the catalytic converter on the exhaust manifold. Newer vehicles will have two oxygen sensors, one right before and one right after the catalytic converter. Dual-exhaust vehicles will have two sets of identically laid out oxygen sensors. On most vehicles, the O2 sensor will look like a golden or brass peg with a cluster of wires coming out the tip.
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Disconnect your oxygen sensor's wires from where they connect to your vehicle's electrical harness. Take care when disconnecting that you do not damage or destroy the electrical connector on your car, as this will cause your new O2 sensor to not function properly.
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Use your wrench or ratchet and socket to remove the old sensor. You may need to exert additional force, as oxygen sensors have a tendency to stick or "freeze" and not turn easily until broken loose. Discard your old sensor when you have successfully removed it.
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Coat the threads of your new O2 sensor with WD-40 or a similar lubricating oil. Do the same for the threads in the exhaust manifold. This is to ensure a smooth installation and to make sure you don't damage the threads when you screw in the new sensor.
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Screw the new O2 sensor into the exhaust manifold and connect the wires into the electrical socket. Your O2 sensor has now been properly installed.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't get the old sensor unstuck, spray a liberal amount of penetrating oil over the spot where the sensor is screwed into the manifold and let it sit for about ten minutes. This will allow the oil to lubricate the threads and should allow you to break the sensor free.
References
- Photo Credit breakage image by Rina from Fotolia.com
