Oxygen Sensors- 93 ATX

[air12290]

I need to change the two oxygen sensors .. is this something I can do myself? I can rent the socket from Autozone..

where are they?

anyone know of any articles detailing how to do it..
thanks,
Dave

 

[rlw001]

Piece of cake. Get the Bosch O2 sensors from AutoZone.

One is in the front of the engine near the oil filter, the other is in the back. Just follow the y-pipe, you cannot miss them.

 

[marvsho17]

Yes, I rented the socket from AZ. The rear is a pita, I had to tighten it in while stretched out on top of the motor.

 

[shopartsnw]

I was able to tighten the rear O2 sensor from underneath without too much trouble. I put the O2 socket on a swivel adapeter with about 18" of extensions. I had the car about 3' in the air and I was able to find a hole to fit the socket and extension in - took me about 5 minutes to remove and replace. It took me another 45 minutes to plug it back in because the Bosch sensor I bought seemed to have an extra short wiring harness.

- Mike

 

[Jeffo]

I just heard from the mechanic i had run the engine codes on mine and he said that both sensors were showing as being bad. I am glad this thread was here. I have zero problem doing the wrenching myself, but any ideas on how much the sensors were and what does the socket look like/cost?

 

[marvsho17]

At autozone about 39.00/each. And the socket can be rented for I think ten. Its just a long socket with a cut in it for the wire to be fed thru. They should come with some anti seize on them already.

 

[wood_e]

Whatever you do DO NOT get borg warner O2 sensors. I only got 10,000 out of mine... they're junk

 

[sdpatt]

I just heard from the mechanic i had run the engine codes on mine and he said that both sensors were showing as being bad. I am glad this thread was here. I have zero problem doing the wrenching myself, but any ideas on how much the sensors were and what does the socket look like/cost?

Careful. If both sensors are showing the same codes (rich/lean/not switching) then there is probably something wrong with the engine or engine control system and the sensors are just letting you know. Just because the codes found were HEGO codes does not mean that the oxygen sensors are failing.

What were the actual codes?

 

[shoguy311]

Yes, I rented the socket from AZ. The rear is a pita, I had to tighten it in while stretched out on top of the motor.

The rear one is MUCH easier if you get under the car. Its right there out in the open.

 

[wood_e]

The rear one is MUCH easier if you get under the car. Its right there out in the open.

Anyone will tell you the O2s on an AIX are a pain, the rear one specifically. Under the car is the best way to get at it but it's still in an awkward position. Have a u attachment ready for your 02 socket. You'll need it

 

[grasp]

I just changed mine. It only took 20 minutes. I got at the back 1 from the top. I unhooked the hood from the shocks and propped it up with a hockey stick. Its easier to unhook it from the top aswell. U will never get it unhooked from the bottom. Its also easier to change the rear spark plugs with the hood unhooked

 

[Jeffo]

Careful. If both sensors are showing the same codes (rich/lean/not switching) then there is probably something wrong with the engine or engine control system and the sensors are just letting you know. Just because the codes found were HEGO codes does not mean that the oxygen sensors are failing.

What were the actual codes?

I am not sure what the actual codes where but i will try to find out, but you are now scaring me man!

 

[rangerj]

Jeffo.

Do not fear, but rather listen to what SDPATT is telling you, and learn.

The O-2 sensors sample the exaust gas as it flows past them and then tells the computer, through the wires and connection, whether the mixture is rich or lean. The computer then adjust the mixture by adjusting the fuel injectors amount of time open and the size of the opening.

The O-2 sensors continuously switch from rich to lean as the fuel injectors are continuously adjusted. The plan is to have a mixture of fuel to air ratio of 14.7 to 1. That is the perfect mixture for economy and power and the most complete burning i.e. less pollution.

When all of the above is not happening the O-2 sensor code will be stored in the computer. If the sensor stops switching, or the number of switches is less than the computer is programmed to expect, the computer stores a code. If the sensor is staying on the lean side the code for that is stored. If the sensor stays on the rich side the code for that is stored.

Now here is the point SDPATT is making. Is the code telling you that the sensor is faulty, or is the sensor sending the correct information, that is, is the engine actually running rich or lean indicating the problem is elsewhere.
An engine could be running lean due to a vacuum leak, or rich due to faulty plug wires, plugs, or simply a dirty air filter.

O-2 sensors usually fail slowly and their switching slows down, which will cause a code to be stored. As a rule of thumb, if the sensors have at least 50,000 miles on them change them. The recommended change interval is 60K.

If after you change the O-2 sensors the codes return, after you cleared the codes, then start looking for the cause of the code starting with the connections to the sensor and its wires. If the connection and wires are OK, then look for the fault indicated, either a rich or lean condition.

Note: most of the above has been simplified.

Bottom line, do not assume a sensor is bad because of a code. Investigate and do the diagnostics. Determine is the sensor is giving you correct information, or if it has failed. rangerj

 

[AREA 91]

Does the engine heat up normally? Do your rad fans kick on? If your thermostat is stuck open, will cause excessive fuel consumption, and possible O2 codes.

 

[Jeffo]

right now i have decided to wait at least a couple weeks before troubleshooting this since this car is a basically a toy for me. so it is going to sit in the driveway for a couple weeks and hopefully i will either get some warmer weather or will actually get around to putting a couple heaters in the garage. we just got like 8 inches of snow last night.

 

[kurtis adum]

I s the O2 sensors the same in the rear or front or are they different part numbers??
kurt

 

[shoguy311]

Yep, they are the same part number. Get the Bosch ones, should be $40-50 each at autozone.