Mr Plow

Hi all,

Newb query - will a Bosch wideband o2 sensor thread straight into the front pre-cat narrow band o2 port on a standard 1.8 VVT exhaust? Are threads etc. the same?

Looking to find out before I crawl under the car in the rain to start wrenching on the std o2 sensor.

Many thanks in advance!

HarryB

AFAIK threads are the same.

Mr Plow

Excellent - guess I'm getting wet then! Thank you for the information.

deezums

iTrader: (3)

If it saves some crawling I always got at mine through the front wheel well, no need to lie on the ground.

Mr Plow

Thank you Deezums - solid advice which I will try first tonight! Thank you forum!

Mr Plow

I still ended up under the car - Going out to fight it again in the dry later!. That turd is seized on.

hks_kansei

You using an o2 sensor socket?
or just an open ended spanner?

Most of the ones i've done on my cars has been so much easier with the proper socket.

HarryB

Spray it with penetration oil (or 50-50 mix of ATF and acetone) overnight, then try to heat cycle and soak it again overnight. Expansion/contraction from heat helps the penetration medium to actually get to the threads.

OptionXIII

Yes, the threads for an AEM wideband and a stock sensor are the same. At least on a 2001.

If the penetrating oil and heat cycle fails (also consider a torch if you wish), weld a piece of steel onto the o2 sensor and use it as a wrench. On my winter beater Michigan Jeep, that made the sensor go from "going to break this exhaust if I try turning this thing any harder" to basically hand tight. Of course, I still used gloves or a wrench or whatever because recently molten metal remains hot for some time, and that heat will help keep it from seizing again as you first loosen the sensor.

Use some nickel anti-seize when installing the new o2 sensor to prevent this in the future. Be careful to get it only on the threads though and not on the sensor shroud.

Mr Plow

Thanks for everyone's help. Had a specific tool on order but its shipping has been COVID delayed and I wanted the sensor out as it is dead.

Used penetrating oil. Ended up sawing the top off the sensor with a small hacksaw blade in the confines of the tunnel. Deep 22mm socket over the sensor, ratchet onto the socket, lever onto the ratchet arm levering off the gearbox and hit the other lever end with the mallet.

It wasn't pretty but it is out and the new Bosch wideband is in. Just need to wire it up once there is some dry weather.