Im trying to install a header but the oxygen sensor will not come off the stock header. Which way do you turn it to come off? We turned it left, then it felt like it was coming out but got tight again. Please help, I have no vehicle to drive for the time being.

 

well first make sure the car has time to cool down....it's a little harder taking off the sensor on a hot car haha.... um I usually spray a little PB blaster around the nut part of the sensor and let that soak for a little bit....but you just have to turn to the left and that's all....just make sure you unclip the connector otherwise the wire will just keep spinning back with the sensor

 

ok so it for sure comes off to the left? Is pb blaster kinda like liquid wrench? What size is the nut? Im not sure if I have a metric wrench big enough.

 

hate to say it but there's a very good chance the threads on the sensor are now completely stripped and useless. mine did the same thing, i soaked it heavly in wd40 for half an hour and it came out easy at first then it got tight again to the point where i could not get it out. basically the threads got ripped off the senosr and seized onto the header itself. you might have to go buy a new A/F sensor, which by the way is not the same as the 02 sensor in the s-pipe.

 

If it's not stripped and you can get a socket on it, go to autozone, pep boys, whatever, and get the correct socket for the o2 sensor... Its only a few bucks, and well worth it...

 

I bought the socket and put liquid wrench on it and it came out so easy my mom actually took it out for me while I held the stock header lol.

 

thats good. luckily u didnt have to buy a new sensor like i did..

 

The size wrench to get the sensor off?? Its 22mm....

And sorry to say but yea it sounds like your sensor came cross threaded from factory, some tC's came with them while others didnt....

 

I have an 02 sensor socket I use that I got from snap-on but if you don't use it everyday you can get one from sears or something.... it's handy b/c the wire can go through it and you just need a ratchet and an extension to use it....makes things a lot easier

 

So what is the name of the sensor? Where can I get it? How much? Yes mine is stripped. It started turning left, and then got tight, and nothing. I soaked it, used the right 02 socket, nada.

 

the sensor in the header/exhaust manifold is the A/F (air/fuel) sensor.

the sensor in the s-pipe is the 02 sensor.

 

Thanks dude, I have to go buy one tomorrow so I can put on my new header. I got everything else off and then blamo, sensor jammed. And to boot, I threw a cel even though the sensor never came off.

 

i got my A/F sensor from the dealer....bend over no lube.

 

I got mind of parts america when I installed my mmw, that little thing is freaking expensive.

 

$200 later, yeah...

 

Mine came out like cake with the car warmed up. If it gets tight when you try to loosen it, Just keep lubing it and turn it back in, then out again till it gets tight, then back in, repeat. If the threads are not damaged this should get it out eventually.