O2 sensor change

[T.Hanson]

To save jacking and looking, do they come out with an open end, or does one need a fancy slot, Bavarian grabben twister : $ 49.95.

[Brian Smith]

If you put it in with lots of anti-sieze, just barely tight enough, 100 miles ago, it might come out with an open end.

Recently on my 535i, I broke a made-for-the-job socket sourced locally (<$20), then the socket in the free loaner kit they offer (their suggestion), before finally bringing the car to my neighborhood mechanic (who used the "fire wrench" to break the bond and spin it free with a forged and not cast socket.) Alas, I do have a torch, but wasn't going to use it under my car laying on my side.

[Lenny D.]

Yes they come out with an open end 21 or 22mm, I never remember.....and an equalizer. I use a piece of aluminum pipe about 15" long that is large enough to slip over the wrench for added torque. The real catch is having to lift the right side enough to have clearance to access fitting the wrench onto the sensor. It will only fit one of two ways. AMHIK.

[T.Hanson]

Thank you.

As this is the rust free jalopy I hide from salt, all the fooling around chasing the (posted) problems are about to get a cover put over them. Have I mentioned the cat has a harmonic buzz in it ?

I mean the car one.

[Brian Smith]

Yes they come out with an open end 21 or 22mm, I never remember.....and an equalizer. I use a piece of aluminum pipe about 15" long that is large enough to slip over the wrench for added torque. The real catch is having to lift the right side enough to have clearance to access fitting the wrench onto the sensor. It will only fit one of two ways. AMHIK.

With 15" of extra leverage on an open end wrench...are we talking about a flare nut wrench to make use of that extra torque? I would think that at best a 6-point box end, if not a socket, would be needed, but then this is a salty state, maybe in other places exhaust system fasteners work like valve cover fasteners? Maybe for the cost of a $45 socket, it's worht the risk of having to pay a mechanice $65 to R&R it, but then I'm also a person who wants to be the next person to work in an area of the car that I've previously visited, so having the ideal tool gets mentally amortized over at least 2 uses!

Good luck either way you go, sometimes a new O2 sensor really helps the grins produced while motoring!

[alotawatts]

Bavarian grabben twister : $ 49.95.

What the......?
Shop.....cheap
I think I got mine at NAPA

http://www.toolsource.com/oxygen-sensor ... 7affbsabk3

[Lenny D.]

With 15" of extra leverage on an open end wrench...are we talking about a flare nut wrench to make use of that extra torque?

No, I didn't say that I used a flare nut wrench, just a normal Husky wrench that comes in a set I purchased for many things. It's actually just a 2 point, the back side is rounded. It has worked for me in every O2 sensor replacement.

When something is 'stuck' beyond elbow grease, always use shock to loosen the grip of many years. Something as simple as a small hammer lightly tapping on the nut faces of the O2 sensor for a few minutes will be enough to release its grip. That's how impact wrenches work, continuously smacking their counterpart.

[pmaronoff]

Auto Zone lends you special 02 socket when you buy 02 from them. Bosch generic from them was around $20. On my 1980 528i auto I didn't even need it. I used a crescent wrench and it was easy out/easy in.

[Mike W.]

I've got a 7/8" combination wrench that has worked on everything of mine so far, except for the 2000 E39. Even the 97 E39, just not the 2000.

[under the radar]

i think this is a good time to say, use anti seize when installing a new sensor and IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE TORQUED HERD AT ALL. i put them in by hand and make feel as "tight" as a spark plug. never had one fall out.