ok i was wondering if anybody had a "HOW TO" on changing O2 sensors out... like easiest way to get to them and get them off... im hoping to sqeeze a litttle more MPG and maybe a little extra power outta this thing... any and all help is appreciated

 

What year is your car? 3.4 or 3.8?

 

98 3.8 my bad i forgot to throw that in there

 

I raise the car and slide under it to get to them from the bottom. That's easier for me. However, if those sensors are the original, they can be a PITA to remove. I have had some that came out easy and one that I actually had to remove the manifold and heat it to get it out. I even cut the wire off it and tried using a socket and ratchet but there was no room for leverage with it in car. WHAT EVER YOU DO, DON'T ROUND OFF THE EDGE OF THE O2 SENSOR TRYING TO GET IT OUT!!!

 

Which one are you doing, or all? Here's what GM says...

Document ID# 775024
2002 Chevrolet Camaro
Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Replacement Bank 1 Sensor 1

Removal Procedure


Notice

The heated oxygen sensors each use a permanently attached pigtail and connector. Do not remove the pigtail from the heated oxygen sensor. Damage or removal of the pigtail or the connector affects proper operation of the heated oxygen sensor. Handle the oxygen sensor carefully. Do not drop the oxygen sensor. Keep the in-line connector and the louvered end free of grease, dirt, or other contaminants. Do not use cleaning solvents of any type. Do not repair the wiring, the connector, or the terminals. Replace the oxygen sensor if the pigtail wiring, the terminals, or the connector is damaged. Proper oxygen sensor operation requires an external air reference. This external air reference is obtained by way of the oxygen sensor signal and heater wires. Any attempt to repair the wires, the connectors, or the terminals results in the obstruction of the air reference and degrades the oxygen sensor performance. A dropped oxygen sensor is a bad oxygen sensor.


Important

Take care when handling the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) . The in-line electrical connector and louvered end must be kept free of grease, dirt or other contaminants. Also, avoid using cleaning solvents of any type. DO NOT drop or roughly handle the heated oxygen sensor/catalyst monitor. A dropped sensor is a bad sensor.

The heated oxygen sensor may be difficult to remove when the engine temperature is below 48°C (120°F). Excessive force may damage threads in the exhaust manifold or exhaust pipe.

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Disconnect the HO2S electrical connector.



Carefully back out the heated oxygen sensor.
Installation Procedure





Important

A special anti-seize compound is used on the heated oxygen sensor threads. The compound consists of graphite suspended in fluid and glass beads. The graphite will burn away, but the glass beads will remain, making the sensor easier to remove. New or service sensors will already have the compound applied to the threads. If a sensor is removed from an engine and if for any reason is to be reinstalled, the threads must have anti-seize compound applied before reinstallation.

Coat threads of heated oxygen sensor/catalyst monitor with anti-seize compound P/N 5613695, or equivalent if necessary.

Notice

Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Hand start the heated oxygen sensor.
Tighten
Tighten the heated oxygen sensor to 42 N·m (31 lb ft).

Connect the HO2S electrical connector.
Document ID# 775024
2002 Chevrolet Camaro

 

Something I found that made it easy to do is start your car and let the engine warm up to normal temperature and then pull the o2 sensors it is easier that way cause the metal is heated then.

 

I also forgot you can go to advance auto parts and buy an o2 sensor socket made by performance tool.

 

Your first step should be to buy, borrow, or use Advance Auto Parts scanner service to look at the oxygern sensors voltages and activity level. The scan tool will show that for each sensor while you sit in the driver's seat. No point in replacing parts that aren't bad, especially when the replacement parts may not be as good quality as the originals.

 

I may be wrong but around here our parts store scanners are crap. And cannot tell you voltage levels or activity of the o2 or just about anything else they just say is there is a fault code and some thing like left bank o2 sensor or right bank. If you want that kind of data you need a tech 2 scanner which is what gm dealerships use, or something like a snap on modis or the MAC tool scanner along those lines, this cheep scanners don't really do to much more than read codes and clear codes

 

I have a Actron I bought at Advance for less than 200 and it gives the read out of the sensors as well as the readout of the data after a drive test. It doesn't do any graphs but you can see the numbers associated with the sensors.