O2 sensor replacement
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
O2 sensor replacement
Thinking of changing the O2 sensors now after 212K miles and fuel mileage continues to degrade. All else seems perfect and running great.
Anyone changed them? I looked underneath and one is easy to get to. The other, the sensor is easy, but the electrical plug connector is so far up I can only reach it with my finger tips.
Any ideas how to reach it? Maybe my arms are too short!
Anyone changed them? I looked underneath and one is easy to get to. The other, the sensor is easy, but the electrical plug connector is so far up I can only reach it with my finger tips.
Any ideas how to reach it? Maybe my arms are too short!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
That O2 sensor plug is a bear!!
The connector is attached to the passenger side head via a clip.
Easiest way to access it is from the top side, after moving the hoses and stuff out of your way.
I have done it from the bottom but only with the wye pipe removed from exhaust manifolds so I could wiggle my arm up there. It takes 2 arms, one with a angled needle nose plyers to depress latch on clip and another to pull on wire to disconnect O2 sensor.....not fun.
Suggest go in from top back by #5 coil, it's right behind it.
The connector is attached to the passenger side head via a clip.
Easiest way to access it is from the top side, after moving the hoses and stuff out of your way.
I have done it from the bottom but only with the wye pipe removed from exhaust manifolds so I could wiggle my arm up there. It takes 2 arms, one with a angled needle nose plyers to depress latch on clip and another to pull on wire to disconnect O2 sensor.....not fun.
Suggest go in from top back by #5 coil, it's right behind it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
Piece of cake, as long as they aren't rusted in place. Use a O2 sensor socket and pop them out. The plugs just unplug. Did all three on my Ex in about 15 minutes. Use OEM Motorcraft sensors... not too expensive. GL.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
Yep, Cali rig here, even though I'm fairly confident it's been in Texas its whole life. If you only have two, then it's only a 10 minute job. 
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
From the top, I don't believe you'll even be able to see anything, TBH.
And this helps,
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Thanks for the tool tip!
I was wondering if I can't find it from the top, if I can pull the fender skirt out and get to it from over the tire area? Not sure even if the skirt comes out or not. Just a thought.
I was wondering if I can't find it from the top, if I can pull the fender skirt out and get to it from over the tire area? Not sure even if the skirt comes out or not. Just a thought.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
If you crawl under your Ex, you should see everything you need to see, shouldn't have to mess with removing anything. I did mine, laying on my back in my driveway... just get under the Ex, look up by the exhaust manifold on either side and you'll see where the wire goes... piece of cake.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
If you have three sensors, like me, save your money and skip replacing the third after cat sensor. Its only job is to report how well the cat is doing and it doesn't have any affect on the way the engine runs. Just replace the two upstream sensors and dont mess with the last one unless you have a catalyst efficiency code.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Romanova, the change should be easy in respect to pulling out the sensors. Heck, should just us a normal wrench as they are that easy to get to.
Problem I have is reaching that plug up high behind the block. I can barely touch it with my fingertips, much less manipulate the plug to sqeeze and pull. Otherwise, it would be a 20 min. job to change both of them.
Problem I have is reaching that plug up high behind the block. I can barely touch it with my fingertips, much less manipulate the plug to sqeeze and pull. Otherwise, it would be a 20 min. job to change both of them.
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