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trick to replacing o2 sensor?? 91'explorer

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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 03:14 PM
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trick to replacing o2 sensor?? 91'explorer

How in the heck to u reach the connector thats between the engine and firewall???? My hands/arms are not small enough...Is there a tool or trick to get to it?
 
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 05:06 PM
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I don't know what the engineers were thinking, but that wasn't a very good place for that connector. Last time I did it, I reached in through the wheel well, and thought that was easier than reaching down from above or up from below.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2008 | 12:18 PM
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ok, i'll try that, only 1 o2 right?

I remember having to go in thru passenger wheel well to replace a couple of sparkplugs so ill try that for the o2 sensor too...thx for the tip.....also there is only 1 o2 sensor on the 91's right? Mine has 165,000 and is running like crap so i thought id replace the original o2 sensor as a tune up didn't do any good.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2008 | 12:22 PM
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oh yea, and is it ok to use a bosch 02 sensor as a replacement for the original?
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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Just to answer a few of my own questions after succesfully replacing my original o2 sensor. The original o2 sensor, at least I think it was the original. was a bosch so I replaced it with a bosch. I gained access through the passenger side front wheel well. Original opening was not nearly big enough so after unsuccesfully attempting to remove the plastic wheel well fender inner liner I simply used a hack saw to cut the plastic to make a much larger openeing. I drilled holes and used quick ties to hold the cut piece back in place. Once the opening is expanded then u can easily use both hands to dis and re connect the sensor. I broke the sensor lose from the exhaust pipe using a open end wrench from down under the vehicle and then unscrewed it the rest of the way from up top wheel well opening. To retighten the new sensor I had to wrench it a lil from top wheel well opening then go back down under to torque in down tight. Not too bad once u make the opening bigger...sd
 
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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Good tips. Did the new sensor resolve your problem?
 
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Old May 1, 2008 | 10:06 AM
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nope, i still get intermitant detonation/lifter clatter so bad that I can't accelerate for fear of blowing the engine. Most times it runs great but 1 in 4 times that i drive it I get the clatter....I took it to a shop and they tuned it up, new plugs, wires, fuel filter. They said it didin't need a o2 sensor. The tune up did nothing to correct the problem so I tired the o2 sensor. I don't know where to go from here. The shop can't fix it so I'm gonna try replacing cam position sensor next and then the crank angle sensor and then the electronic ignition distributor, the thing the plug wires go into.....any suggestions? I run 93 octane with a bottle of octane booster with each fill up.
 
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Old May 1, 2008 | 06:46 PM
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try cleaning/replacing mass airflow sensor on intake side. Mine would ping under the slightest acceleration/load. Couldn't even get to 75mph on the interstate. cleaned it up, problem went away. you might want to disconnect the battery for a while to reset the computer.
 
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Old May 2, 2008 | 11:42 AM
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THX..I plan on cleaning the MAF this weekend.
 
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Old May 2, 2008 | 05:39 PM
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Is it lifter clatter or detonation? Under what conditions does it make the noise? They are quite different problems with different approaches. Lifter clatter usually indicates that oil isn't getting to the lifters. It's kind of common on the cologne V6's at start-up and, if it goes away immediately, usually isn't a problem. If the lifters are clattering for an extended time, that suggest a problem in the oiling system. Check oil pressure and such.

Detonation is a different animal, which is also common to these engines. Usual causes are a dirty MAF or a vacuum leak/intake manifold leak that make it run a little lean (or anything else that might make it run a little lean). Clean the MAF and check the bolts to the lower intake manifold to see if they've come loose. If they have, you can usually just tighten them back up to get rid of the pinging. Another cause is carbon buildup in the cylinders.
 
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Old May 5, 2008 | 06:18 AM
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I have a 91 running crappy too. No ping though, just rough on accelleration, bad MPG.
So far I have replaced plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter. I removed the cat converter cuz it sounded like it was plugged. It was not. Still runs like crap. I can pull each plug wire and get a change in RPM. I can pull each fuel injector connector and get an RPM change as well. The only code I get is a secondary electrical system for the fuel pump. Not sure what this is telling me but my pump relay has a short in the harness that will kick the pump on when not running every once in a while. (door slam) I know I'm jumpin into your forum but I thought we might be on the same page. I thought I'd change my o2 sensor next but I'll wait till I clean the MAF sensor first.
 
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Old May 5, 2008 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by broncotrox
I have a 91 running crappy too. No ping though, just rough on accelleration, bad MPG.
So far I have replaced plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter. I removed the cat converter cuz it sounded like it was plugged. It was not. Still runs like crap. I can pull each plug wire and get a change in RPM. I can pull each fuel injector connector and get an RPM change as well. The only code I get is a secondary electrical system for the fuel pump. Not sure what this is telling me but my pump relay has a short in the harness that will kick the pump on when not running every once in a while. (door slam) I know I'm jumpin into your forum but I thought we might be on the same page. I thought I'd change my o2 sensor next but I'll wait till I clean the MAF sensor first.
Are you certain the fuel pump relay isn't also cutting out intermittently while running, causing the pump to run intermittently, causing low fuel pressure? That would be the first thing I'd check.
 
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Old May 5, 2008 | 10:42 AM
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Well I cleaned the maf and so far so good. no pinging as of yet. Remember that my prob. is intermitant and only happens every once in a while so i'm keeping my fingers crossed...I will report back and the end of the week. The prob. is defenately not lifters that have run dry of oil making a tap tap tap type of noise. It is a detonation issue making a pinging/clattering noise while accelerating...If i lift off the throttle then the noise stops but resumes if I try to accelerate so I have to feather the throttle and slowly get up to speed. I also replaced my thermostat as temp guage was running above half way mark when it normally runs at 1/4 mark...Now shes running cool again
 
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