Need help replacing an 02 Sensor

[frecato]

I have an 03 Sequoia and my Bank 2 Sensor 1 went bad the other day. I went to the mechanic and they wanted $300+ just to replace one!!! I managed to get a Bosch online for $82 and tried installing it this weekend, but I was conquered.

I could not for the life of me get my big hands up there to undo the plug and then getting the actual sensor out was another story. I bought an 02 sensor wrench, but I had no room to actually unscrew it. Now that I have the part the mechanic wants to charge $100 just to physically replace the part. Sounds really high and I would love to do this my self.

If anyone has replaced their own 02 sensor can you please let me know how you unplugged the sensor and what tools you used to get the sensor out. Pictures or if there is a DIY in the forum that would be awesome. I tried searching but didn't see anything.

Also what is everyone's thoughts about the Bosch vs Denso sensor, should I return the Bosch for the OEM Denso??

Thanks for your help.

[Ray]

Get the OEM denso, bosch can trigger the MIL light again. Some members here tried the bosch and end up buying another one, OEM denso. I bought mine at rockauto.com

When I remove my O2 I use an adjustable wrench. I did remove the tires to have an easy access.

[JBH1989]

I did one on the ground, it wasn't fun but was doable. The connector was the hardest part, I do have large hands as well. I remember getting right under it, then wrapping my hands around the exhaust pipe as needed. It was about 10 months ago, so I can't remember for sure. Hopefully someone who specializes in these can jump in.

If the O2 wrench doesn't work, sometimes a 22mm stubby works really well. They are in place very tight though, it'll take a grunt to break loose.

The reason the mechanic wants so much is this: At least in CA, if the customer supplies their own parts, he still has to warranty the labor. So if your sensor goes bad in a week, he'd have to eat the labor to replace it. It sucks, we've had to do it before and that's why a lot of guys don't like doing customer-supplied parts--they lose their markup and then if it goes bad they lose everything on that job.

[frecato]

I appreciate all your help. I didn't try taking the tires off... I'll have to try that next time and definitive go with Denso plugs from RockAuto.

I ended up just giving it to the mechanic this time. Hope it doesn't come back until another 100k miles or one of the others don't go anytime soon.

You mentioned that sometimes Bosch trips the MIL light, is it because the plug goes bad quicker or is there something wrong with the plug from the manufacturer conflicting with OEM Sequoia?


--Nick

[JBH1989]

Well, if it makes it any better, the rears are MUCH easier to do!

I haven't had issues with Bosch O2 sensors personally, but I do prefer to use OE supplier when possible. It's all down to build quality, and bigboxstore Bosch doesn't seem to be as good as the Bosch stuff I get.

[sp04342]

I have replaced both pre cat sensors on my 02. The hardest part is getting the sensor unplugged, if you can get that done, throw your 02 socket in the trash and buy a long handle 22mm wrench, put a jack under the cross support in the front, not the lower control arm, you want the suspension to go to full droop, take the wheel off and you can access it thru the fender well. This is the easiest way to get to. You may need to put a pipe on the wrench, if you have a torch I would reccomend heating it up first as usually when someone replaces an 02 sensor they have been in there for 100,000 miles or so and are frozen into the head pipe.