Hello, Code readers point directly to my friend's upstream oxygen sensor on the driver's side. Has anyone removed this one?

I can set my sensor socket on it but there's no room to swing a wrench. I'm thinking to undo the front of the drive shaft and let it hang down for access. Then I saw the E-torx headed bolts. Do those get changed? They're so rusty I would want to. Can I use regular hex headed hardware or is the E-torx required?

Another funny thing about this job is that the existing sensor is a bit chewed up. Someone has looked at it before. Any info regarding changing an O2 sensor is appreciated.

IRONIC JUSTICE: Every other one of these I've ever touched was out in the open and a simple joy to unscrew. Kira

 

It's ok to get it out but are you sure the code tells you the sensor is faulty?
What is the code?
To get it out I would heat the body close to the pipe to expand and break the bond if possible with a Torch and try to move it before it cools.
One you begin this it has to come out because the chances of making it unusable trying are very high if it's not the problem.
Good luck.

 

Hello, AS I REMEMBER IT it was P01151. I say it this way because the code was already pulled. I trust my friend's ability to read two different code readers. I was only concerned with physically changing the sensor which my friend had already bought. I'm pretty certain it was a P01151. Kira

 

That's what I thought!
Change it but it's likely not the trouble.
The code says 'lean'.
The sensor is telling what the issue is and not that the sensor is always faulty.
It needs to be understood the sensor is the only way for the system to indicate and report a trouble not that it is the trouble.
Be looking for an air leak into the intake that is not being measured by the mass air meter.
Excess air makes for a 'lean' condition.
Another indication is the fuel trim table value should be out of limits confirming the condition. The table being out of limit is what sets the code not the sensor itself.
Bottom line is you cannot always run with a word in the description but the meaning of the whole description.
Good luck.