Okay. I have checked the "Service Engine Soon" light by jumpering the "A" & "B" terminals of the ALCL connector. This is on the 2.5 liter engine, and the codes all point to a bad O2 Sensor. My opinion is it needs to be changed out with a new unit.

Has anyone done this before? This motor has 171,500 miles on it, and the sensor is in the exhaust manifold. I know what the book says. I want real world, hands on advice.

Anyone got anything to say about this?

 

There not too bad to change. On a 2.5 it should not be hard to get to either. Just go to a part store and get a new one. I use a box end wrench to get mine off. They make a special long socket to take it off if you want to spend the money. Be sure to disconnect the wire before you start taking it off. New oxygen sensor should have some "anti-seize" grease on the threads. If not, you need to be sure that you put some on or the next time it will be very hard to get off.

phil

 

It is an easy install. You just need a large box wrench (the size escapes me but it is like 15/16" er somthing big like that).

Instructions

Unplug old
Unscrew old
Screw in new
Plug in new

Go to kitchen for beer.

 

A word of advice: stick with AC Delco sensors. Get one from the dealer if necessary, but avoid the aftermarket pieces.

I never could get mine back to 100% steady BLMs after I swapped in a really nice Bosch piece, soon as I went back to a Delco it snapped right back into shape and the engine smoothed right out.

A co-worker who engineered for Subaru cleared it up...swing rates need to match the ECM calibration. Put a fast-swinging O2 sensor on an ECM that isn't cal'd for it, and your BLMs get crazy and the engine isn't happy.

Several 4th genners had trouble w/ aftermarket O2 sensors, got Check Engine lights and engine misbehavior. Delcos fixed them also. Jump on camaroz28.com and search on 'bosch o2' and you should be able to find them.

 

Soak it with WD-40 or simular, a few times (days) before removing the old one....!!!

 

Has anyone else had a problem with an aftermarket O2 sensor? I was looking at a Bosch unit for around $20.00 at Advance Auto.

I guess I need to call GM for a price on their )2 sensor.

I figured it might be a pain in the butt to break loose, cause it looks kind of gnarly.

Thanks for the replies........Keep 'em coming!

Steve

 

Agreed w/ the post above about using penetrating oil before trying to remove, but if you can get ahold of PB Blaster aerosol I'd go that route.

Much more effective in my experience than Liquid Wrench or WD-40.

Soak it the night before you want to remove it, then again when you're ready, and it should come right out.

 

An example:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...osch+o2+sensor

Do a search in the DIY-PROM forum on bosch O2 sensor and you'll find more.

 

My car ran very rich after I replaced a worn out stock 02 with a Bosch unit. You can buy AC delco O2's at any auto parts store.

 

General Motors Oxygen Sensor:

P/N 25162693

$53.87 at my local GM parts counter. I wonder if I can get this same thing any cheaper anywhere else? Hmmmm.......

 

when i first got my camaro, i found out that my O2 sensor wasnt hooked up but it didnt throw a code? Is this right?

 

Just wondering, what's a PB Blaster aerosol?

 

WD-40 on steroids. Works wonders.

 

gmpartsdirect.com

$35.00 with shipping.

 

Just ordered the AC Delco O2 Sensor (AFS 20) on eBay. $20.00 + $4.50 S/H (PRIORITY USPS).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ME:B:EOTB:US:6

 

What a piece of cake THAT was!

My eBay O2 sensor made it here on Saturday morning while I was at work. After sleeping in on Sunday, but before the race at Talledega, I figured I would tackle this task.......

Within 10 minutes the job was all done. Even as crusty and rusty as the old sensor looked, it came right out. New one went right in, slick as a whistle.

Test drove the car and she drove nice. Didn't throw any "Service Engine Soon" light at me and didn't buck or hesitate either.

I don't mind saying I was not looking forward to the task, but it was nothing. Piece of cake.

Thanks for all your comments!

Wrench size was 7/8".

Steve

 

It is amazing how simple these cars are. Glad to hear your job was so easy

 

..........you are right. These cars are simple and fun to work on. If all of the jobs I have had to do on them were so easy and effortless! I am sure the next job will make up for this one......isn't that the way it always is?