My 2001 Olds Intrigue ended up randomly stalling while turning a corner. Luckily it was able to start again. Scanner showed a P0140 code indicating no activity from the downstream oxygen sensor (after the catalytic convertor).
After jacking up the passenger side front area, one can get under to release the large O-ring muffler support. I sprayed a bunch of PB Blaster onto the sensor fastener. There is a flattened U-pipe that allows space for the oxygen sensor directly above it.
I ended up breaking off the locking tab on the O2 sensor connector and unfastening the tab. There is no slack so there's no use in pushing out the retainer clip that secures it to the metal shroud. I had sprayed PB Blaster onto the sensor the day before as well as I saw some of these are a pain to remove.
I got an oxygen sensor socket and a hose screw clamp that just fit around the socket. One can place the clamp around the sensor first and then the socket over the wire. Before putting the socket onto the nut, I secured the clamp around the socket bottom and seated the socket making sure the clamp screw was out of the way of rotation and seating. This prevents it slipping/rounding the nut.
Using a small extention on a long breaker bar, I was able to loosen it without issue and with the exhaust cold. The new one comes with anti-seize grease on the threads, but I added some more. Tip - tie the wiring harness and clip with a rubber band onto the sensor so it is easier to thread. It was tricky getting the sensor to thread as the alignment has to be exact to avoid cross-threading.
You can do it without dropping the muffler as I saw someone do. There's enough room.
After jacking up the passenger side front area, one can get under to release the large O-ring muffler support. I sprayed a bunch of PB Blaster onto the sensor fastener. There is a flattened U-pipe that allows space for the oxygen sensor directly above it.
I ended up breaking off the locking tab on the O2 sensor connector and unfastening the tab. There is no slack so there's no use in pushing out the retainer clip that secures it to the metal shroud. I had sprayed PB Blaster onto the sensor the day before as well as I saw some of these are a pain to remove.
I got an oxygen sensor socket and a hose screw clamp that just fit around the socket. One can place the clamp around the sensor first and then the socket over the wire. Before putting the socket onto the nut, I secured the clamp around the socket bottom and seated the socket making sure the clamp screw was out of the way of rotation and seating. This prevents it slipping/rounding the nut.
Using a small extention on a long breaker bar, I was able to loosen it without issue and with the exhaust cold. The new one comes with anti-seize grease on the threads, but I added some more. Tip - tie the wiring harness and clip with a rubber band onto the sensor so it is easier to thread. It was tricky getting the sensor to thread as the alignment has to be exact to avoid cross-threading.
You can do it without dropping the muffler as I saw someone do. There's enough room.