Never done it before, I figure since it's probably 20 years old, its time. Might be contributing to my idle problem.

So, how do I go about changing it on an 86 V6 Bird?
Will I need to just splice the wires and crimp them together? Or is there a plug? Hmm?

 

are you replaceing all of them ? they have a plug in you just unplug it and then take it out blast them with wd40 or something before you try to turn them

 

There is only one sensor.

Disconnect the negative battery terminal

Jack up the car

Follow the wire comming from the o2 sensor (the sensor is located under the pass side of the car with a purple wire comming from it)

About 12-14" up you will feel a connector, carefully disconnect it

Spray the sensor area with PBblaster or WD40, wait a few minutes.

I think it's a 7/8" open end wrench you will need, remove the sensor.

Replace the sensor, connect the purple wire, reconnect battery.

 

I actually just got home from picking up a new one and got on real quick while the exhaust is cooling a little to see what you guys had said. I've got it up on ramps and soaking in WD40 right now.
I'm glad this was one of those cheap-ish $20 parts.

 

You can probably reach the sensor from the top on the 2.8 and they're easier to get out when the exhaust is hot.

 

This thing is gonna have to be cut out. It's been in there unmoved for 20 years. Its amazingly rusted in there.

We're gonna take it somewhere to get it done, I don't wanna risk messing up the pipe, even though its allready amazingly dented.

 

Nope, it is mounted just below the pass seat. The location is much different on the V8's.

You are right about it comming out easier when it is hot, just have to be careful.

 

The sensor on the 84 Berlinetta I had was right within reach, passenger side. I guess the Multi-port FI may have relocated the sensor, but I got it out from the top.

As for removing it, mine was locked in (original sensor also) when the pipe was cold, but it came out with a little bit of motivation when the pipe was hot. You said it's stuck in place..did you try using an extension on the wrench when the pipe is hot? just make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from the 600 degree pipes.

If you take it somewhere and they can't get it out, they won't sit around trying to fight it. They'll take off the manifold, break out the sensor and bung and weld in a new bung. I'd personally rather fight it out. I had to in my 87 Grand Prix. took it to 3 shops after I couldn't get it out. Each one said they would have to break the old bung. So I decided to fight it myself and I finally got it.

 

Allright, sounds like I'm gonna have to try it while it's hot...

I don't have any leather gloves though, so it sounds like Tuesday I'll be out there with a wrench and an oven-mit

 

I just did mine this morning and it came right out with cold pipes. It was about 10 min worth of work. Very easy to do.

 

It depends on how long the sensor was in there. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes...it's not. the original sensors are a big pain to remove.



Whatever works to keep you from burning your hand Good luck removing it. If you can, use a line wrench or even better, disconnect the pigtail and slide a box end wrench over it for better grip, then use a pipe or something on the wrench (if you can fit it) for more leverage.

 

Would it be bad to splice the wire for the O2 connector? The one I got the wire was way to short to reach the connector which was way up in the engine compartment. The old sensor had been spliced too. I used a crimp connector and the wrapped it in electrical tape.

 

As long as they are solid connections, no it wont hurt anything.

 

also what you can do is just take the wire off of the o2 sensor, go to a muffler shop, have them put the car on a lift, have them drill a hole in your exhaust near the current o2 sensor & thread it, put in new sensor... mine cost $10