Oxygen Sensor Replacement Tutorial - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

pb4sc · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:55 AM

Hi,
While driving the other day, my check engine light came on. After checking Tundrasolutions, I drove to my local Autozone, and bought a code reader for $65. (I live in Calif, so they would not check it for free) After I attached the code reader, I got a p0031 code. Again, looking it up on Tundrasolutions, I knew it was the bank 1 sensor 1 oxygen sensor. I took another drive to the dealer, where I had to shell out $167.00 for a new one. Now came the fun part. Replacing the old one!! The first step was to locate it. If followed the driver side exhaust, until i found the catalytic convertor. I looked in front of it, and there it was. Unhooking the plastic connector, was a challenge.

Using a super small screw driver, I lifted the tab on the bottom with one hand, and pried the connector apart with the other. Took a little while, but I was able to get it.
The next step was to get the sensor off.

I put some oil on the top part of the sensor, and then let it drip down. I then used the slotted socket, I bought for $15.00.

I slipped the wire through the slot, and with a little elbow grease, was able to take the sensor out.

I then screwed in the new one, and tightened it with the socket. Last step was to use the code reader to erase the code from the Tundra. After that, I fired up the car, and took it for a test drive. No more check engine light. Took about 1 hour to do, and was not tough at all. By the time I got done, it cost me $237 but that included the code reader, and socket. If you can get a free code check, that knocks $65.00 off it. I am still not sure how much the dealer would have charged me, but I have a feeling it would be more that $237

Portugue · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:20 PM

hey thanks for the tutorial and pics! I replace my driver side last year and had a horrible experience, basically stripped the threads on the way out and had to get it re-threaded, 200 buck mistake. Now my passenger side needs to be replaced. Couple questions, how many miles do u have? Did you take it off while the manifold was hot? How much force did you apply to snap it loose?

toyofsomd · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 12:30 PM

I just did my passenger side on Friday it was a lot easier to do easy to get to. I sprayed my with WD-40 or you could use PB Blaster and stray it a few times and let it soak in and I was told to turn you car on and let it run for around 30 seconds just to get it hot I did that and helped some. I tried to do my driver side and that’s a different story started to strip the head of the sensor so now I have to take it somewhere to get fix.

Just spray it with the WD-40 or PB Blaster a few times and run the truck for 30 seconds or so and you should be good.

Portugue · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyofsomd

I just did my passenger side on Friday it was a lot easier to do easy to get to. I sprayed my with WD-40 or you could use PB Blaster and stray it a few times and let it soak in and I was told to turn you car on and let it run for around 30 seconds just to get it hot I did that and helped some. I tried to do my driver side and that’s a different story started to strip the head of the sensor so now I have to take it somewhere to get fix.

Just spray it with the WD-40 or PB Blaster a few times and run the truck for 30 seconds or so and you should be good.

hmmm...thats interesting. Seems like everyone has an easier time removing the passenger side and stripping the driver side. I already took mine to get the passenger side replaced 2 times and both times they couldn't snap it free. I had been spraying pb blaster all week too. I just wonder if they weren't putting a lot of muscle behind it in case they stripped it. They were also torching it and still weren't able to snap it free...it will be cheaper for me to get it out and if it strips, get it re-threaded for 200 again. Still cheaper than the dealer!

toyofsomd · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 01:21 PM

next time i have replace them i am just going to get new headers i think but hopefully i wont need to replace them any time soon.

pb4sc · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 09:27 PM

Hi,
I have 41 K miles on my 2003 SR5 Tundra. I thought the mileage was pretty low for the sensor to go bad. I did not heat it up before trying to get it loose. It did not seem too tough to get off, I quess I got lucky. Stripping the threads sounds like a nightmare. The slotted socket really did the trick, and was worth the 15 bucks.

pb4sc

toyofsomd · #7 (**permalink**) 08-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Yeah it can be I had to take mine to a shop to get fixed and the mech called me and said my manifold was going to have to come off in order to try and get it not good.