Oxygen Sensor - Replacing Exhaust System - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Strum · 02-08-2010, 07:52 PM

I have to replace the exhaust system on my sons car and was wondering about the Oxygen Sensors - specifically I was wondering 1) Can I use the existing sensors? 2) What is the probability of removing them from the existing exhaust without damaging them? 3) If I have to replace them, is there any great difficulty?

Reading Haynes I see that the front passanger seat has to be removed to gain access to the post-converter oxygen sensor, but is the pre-converter difficult due to tight working area?

This isn't really a job that I want to tackle (live in cold Northern Ohio), but the cost saving for a DIY makes it difficult to take it in to have done. The quotes we have so far are $830 and up. I figure I can do it for less than $400 (Walker exhaust) less the muffler that appears to be in good condition. If I have to install new sensors, than a little over $400.

speedy25 · 02-08-2010, 07:58 PM

The sensors can be cheap if YOU put the right connectors on them. They get ridiculously more money for the one with your connector already on it.

They dont remove easily. There is a special slotted socket you can buy. Stupidly they are all 3/8 drive and next to impossible to get off using a small ratchet, so you'll have to do some tool abuse with a piece of pipe over the end to get enough leverage to get it loose. I always put a small amount of nev-r-seize in case I might have to remove it later. Makes the job MUCH easier.

The hardest job on exhaust systems is removing bolts. Without oxy/acetylene you will have a tough time of it.

-SP

iToaster · 02-08-2010, 08:03 PM

You can reuse the sensors if you don't damage them, and they're fairly easy to remove if they aren't stuck (but years of being stuck under a car can lock them in very easily). You don't really need to remove the passenger seat to remove the rear one, but it does make it easier.

Strum · 02-08-2010, 08:11 PM

Rockauto certainly has enough to choose from. I'm not sure what to order.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,5132

Although it doesn't show it, I assume that the Walker exhaust system will have the locations for the sensors in the pipe.

I've done the front pipe and the muffler on my 93 Camry, but haven't tackled an entire exhaust with sensors.

As for removal, I have a power circular cutter that I used on my 93 and it was fairly easy to maneuver while on my back under the car.