How hard is it to replace the O2 sensor? My car is getting bad gas mileage, running WAY rich, covering the spark plugs with gas, and generally running crappy. I have heard that the O2 sensor could be to blame, how much is a replacement from like pep boys or autozone?

You simply unscrew the old sensor, screw in the new one and plug it in. It's very easy. There's several other things which can cause the engine to run seriously rich, but a new O2 sensor is always a good idea. They become slower and less acurate with age.

are they cheap? the super duper (pardon the expression) Bosch unit was only $20 so they can't be too bad for a remanufactured OE style peice.

If you are lucky, you will be able to simply unscrew the old sensor. If you are like most of us, you will smash your knuckles, scream, yell, scream some more, grunt a lot, yell and then burn yourself as you try to remote it hot/warm so that it actually releases from the threads because the last guy did not install anti-sieze on the sensor threads.

I have had no problem with the Bosch unit. some have huge problems and only use AC delco.

I strongly reccomend getting the Sensor removal wrench. it will make you happier.

It was rusty but I have been hitting it with WD40 for the past few days and the rust is going away. I used the same method on my EGR. Does anyone know how much the AC Delco is?

I just used the Bosch. It works fine for me. That was, of course, after the screaming, cussing part where I stripped the threads while removing the old one. I covered the new threads with lots of anti-seize this time though. Not gonna trust that little bit that comes on new sensors. After drilling out the old and welding in a new O2 bung, it all works great.

Oh, PB Blaster is now my favorite rust catalyst. Thank you to whoever mentioned it in another thread. Liquid wrench never did work for me.

Yeah my neighbor gave me a can of Liquid Wrench and that stuff is crap. I drove my car 40 miles and burnt over a quarter tank of gas and that seems a bit off.

quote Originally posted by Mr.PBody: It was rusty but I have been hitting it with WD40 for the past few days and the rust is going away. I used the same method on my EGR. Does anyone know how much the AC Delco is?

WD 40 isn't penetrating oil. It doesn't help free rusty parts. Get PB Blaster or Kroil.

[This message has been edited by Brian Lamberts (edited 01-07-2007).]

Auto Zone has the 02 sensor kit for free--15-20.00 buck deposit returned. I would use the ACDELCO Part # AFS20 and save your self alot of extra work, we had problems with bosch 02 sensors, I actually through the original 02 back in and the engine ran better than it did with bosch, comfirmed it with winaldl..
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,12491...

Any idea who manufactures the ACDelco oxygen sensor? I don't know either, was just asking as many times the same company manufactures products then brands them for whoever the customer is. Like Johnson Controls making batteries for everyone under the sun.

Good question, I know Delphi pumps out gm parts here in town, so your safe buying ex: a ac/delco fuel pump or delphi==same pump , different distributor, different box, different price..lol.. but all in all the same pump...

quote Originally posted by timgray: I strongly reccomend getting the Sensor removal wrench. it will make you happier.

Are you referring to the 84-88 OXYGEN SENSOR SOCKET that The Fiero Store sells or is this some other secret tool that only wise Forum members know of. The O2 sensor is my next task, and I have it soaking in PB Blaster as we speak.

quote Originally posted by timgray: If you are lucky, you will be able to simply unscrew the old sensor. If you are like most of us, you will smash your knuckles, scream, yell, scream some more, grunt a lot, yell and then burn yourself as you try to remote it hot/warm so that it actually releases from the threads because the last guy did not install anti-sieze on the sensor threads. I have had no problem with the Bosch unit. some have huge problems and only use AC delco. I strongly reccomend getting the Sensor removal wrench. it will make you happier.

yes.
if you are lucky.
to improve your luck - do it while the pipes are HOT. this makes it 20 times easier - BUT - it is also HOT. the new one should come with a small gob of antiseize on the threads. this is NOT normal antiseize - it is exhaust antiseize - which - instead of fine aluminum suspended in a goo, its fine glass suspended in goo.

quote Originally posted by xtn668: Are you referring to the 84-88 OXYGEN SENSOR SOCKET that The Fiero Store sells or is this some other secret tool that only wise Forum members know of. The O2 sensor is my next task, and I have it soaking in PB Blaster as we speak.

You can get the 02 sensor removal kit from auto-zones rent a tool program--they have a 3 peice with a nice vinly case for 15.00 deposit--keep the tool, they keep your 15.00 bucks, it`s a good deal..

3800, you have a PM.

Rainman...Pm Sent>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

i have found thats mutch easier to get under the car...but thats just me the plug in is right there bye the starter

you can also take a 7/8 deep socket cut your old wire off the O2 and go at it that way.
you can cut the O2 top off as well and use a shallow 7/8 6 point 1/2 in drive socket and a breaker bar.
I have broke to many high dollar O2 sockets to use them for removal.
and if you want to make you own install socket 7/8 deep socket cut a grove with
cut off tool for the wire to hang out of.

Good luck

Any thoughts on the Desco? I can't find the AC Delco online. Auto Zone sells only the Desco or the Bosch. Any auto parts chains sell AC Delco parts. I don't want to wait over a week to get a part.

quote Originally posted by Knight: Is the Delphi O2 sensor that O'reily sells actually the same as an AC Delco? I ask because both are suppliers for GM. site: http://www.oreillyauto.com/...r&descriptionId=2221

Yes, Your good to go with that one...Different packaging, same 02 sensor...

what numbers would winaldl give for a good O2 sensor

i ran winaldl but dont undersand the numbers


one was idle the other was around 2k

quote Originally posted by serealport: i ran winaldl but dont undersand the numbers

I'm a newb at WinALDL, but I can tell you weren't going very fast.

I checked for that Delphi O2 sensor at O'reily and apparently they no longer carry it.
Seems most every store had the Bosch now.
How can Bosch not work properly?
sparx22

http://www.oreillyauto.com/...PONTIACFIEROGTV6-173 2.8L&bid=1224444739280&cycleCount=1313

Is this the correct one at RockAuto? DELPHI Part # ES10966 http://www.rockauto.com/cat...249107,parttype,5132

[This message has been edited by sparx22 (edited 10-19-2008).]

"I'm a newb at WinALDL, but I can tell you weren't going very fast"

and no i was in park dont know how fas i was reving because tach is not right top is idle

what tells what??

[This message has been edited by serealport (edited 10-19-2008).]

The numbers at the top are time (Sample row). Does not matter how much time, just that everything below that number in each column is for that time period. It's a 160 baud ECM so the actual time is quite slow compared to the 7730 at 8192 baud.

Now go down the left most column to find O2. Now read across. The numbers going high then low tell you the O2 is switching between rich and lean. This is what a narrow band O2 does when it's working correctly. If it stays high then the car is rich, low numbers are lean.

Realize the actual O2 may be switching far faster than WINaldl shows simply because of the slow update time for the ECM at 160 baud.

is this reading good for the o2
because the car is running really rich

but i just found a busted spark plug wire and replacced it so now that i have the car running on all cylinder i am trying to run the diagnostics again but every time i plug in the aldl cable the car idles rough and sometimes dies


thanks

[This message has been edited by serealport (edited 10-20-2008).]

Years and years (and years) ago, I was stuck with a light just before a smog test on my 87 coupe and grabbed a Borg/Warner (Pep Boys) to get through testing instead of the AC Delco I wanted to go with. Passed the smog and didn't think much of it until my Check Engine went off. I figured that perhaps I hadn't clipped the connectors tight enough. Turned out that the sensor itself had melted. MELTED! Connection was fine but the rest of the sensor had this sad little droop to it that told me never to get an O2 sensor from Borg Warner again!

Have you checked the usual suspects that would give you a rich mixture? Bad prom chip (it might be in limp mode) uhhhh....I'm having a senility moment, someone else will have the "Aha!" moment for you....

[This message has been edited by WKDFIRO (edited 10-20-2008).]

This is a place where AC DELCO is best especially for the V 6 ,, the bosch works and reads differently (I only know this from reading about 02,s the denso is suppose to be next in compatibility to the AC delco ,, bosch is not recommended
now heres the kicker many cars will run with the 0 2 sensor out of the hole,just hook it to the wire and not screw it in..
the duke will eat anything it is not fussy about the 02
in many cases ANY 02 will work I have a duke 02 sensor in my 4.3 V 6 jimmy
OExtra makes a nice 02 but you have to be a tracker and go on safari to find one they are made in USA,even thier web site is screwed up
If you have an V6 spent the extra sheckles, dust the cobwebs off the wallet or dig up the hidden stash money,,or bully the neighborhood kids,,hock the microwave just get the best deal you can on a delco..
this information is over a year old and was predicated on years of reading MAD magazine and hustler for the stories
www.oextrabrand.com

the car seems to have smoothed out and is idleing better im about to check for spark on my tiller (edit no luck) and then have a look at my wires
the exaust smells better and it doesnt smoke quite as bad anymore

edit..

sooojust went and looked at my wires and they light up fairly well so i guess il start with that

[This message has been edited by serealport (edited 10-21-2008).]