I have a 1987 IROC-Z Camaro 305 TPI. For a while now, it has had the engine light come on for only a few seconds while cruising on the highways. I got a scanner for the ECM, and the only code that comes up (after the initial code) is code 13. This is the only code that is reported in the ECM, and I let the diagnostics run for at least 5 minutes to make sure there wasn't any others. We also recently had to get the exhaust system replaced from the cat back because the stock converter's filter started breaking up and almost plugged up the muffler. Anyways with that said, I bought a new O2 Sensor for about $20 (Delphi), and my main problem is that I can't get the O2 Sensor that is in the car right now out of the engine. I tried warming up the engine (Hayes book said to about 120 F) to attempt to loosen it, but it won't budge. I think it is the stock O2 Sensor, because I don't recall having it replaced the whole time our family (original owners) has owned it. Does anybody have any advice to make this any easier?

Thanks in advance.

 

I'm in the same boat as you... But I have headers... What I'm thinking of doing (and you can do aswell) is take the header off (exhaust manifold) and once its off, use a bench vice clamp and clamp the O2 on there and just twist the header off the sensor... I went looking for deep socket attatchments with no luck...

 

I'm going to pick up one of these:

http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...egoryCode=3491

I would go to sears and get a socket, but Advance is much much closer to my house. It should give me the room I need.

 

That sounds good. How did it go? I actually just got a regular adjustable wrench and pulled hard and it came off easily, but I've replaced it before and I do have headers not manifolds...

 

I got the socket, and it fits on nicely on the sensor. It still doesn't come off though. I even used an air ratchet, and that didn't provide enough torque to get the thing to budge. It would attempt to turn it, then it would just blow off air because it wasn't able to get the job done. We are thinking of taking it to the local mechanic that we normally take the Camaro to, and get him to replace it. They love working on the car, so it will give them something to do. We don't want to risk screwing up the sensor that is in there.

 

if you're careful enough, you can drive the car around and it nice and warm/hot, which sometimes is easier to remove....

 

Yeah I would get it to at least 120 F when trying to get it off. When I have the time, I might let it go all the way to normal operating temp see if that makes it any easier than 120.

 

i just tried replacing mine heated it up with the blow torch put the wrench on it and gave the wrench a smack with the hammer and it came right out unfortunatly the bung came out with it. pretty sure it was the stock sensor

 

Finally got the sensor replaced. What my dad did was he broke the hold that it had in the manifold, and it turned out to be a little rusty. Then he squirted a little WD-40 on the threads, and let the car run for about 2 minutes. We got the sensor out, and the part that sets in the manifold was completely white. The new one is in, and the exhaust doesn't make that god awful smell. The RPMs are also controlled better at idle too. I still have to do a test run, but I will do that within the next couple of days.