Follow up to my previous request for info on changing out the upstream O2 on my Ex 4.6. Well...

Came out kinda easy, although the clip was tough to reach.

The new O2 (bosch) is a little bigger (longer). Uh oh...
Got it in, then had a heck of time tightening it down as my wrench was just a smidge too long. But I got it in satisfactorily.

The wire harness protrudes and bumps into some kind of aluminum rail (about 3/4in in diameter). That was the little extra space the old O2 had. Uh oh.

Got it in, then I just need to connect the connector. ARE YOU KIDDINNG ???

Who put that connector on the BACK of the engine. Even pygmy fingers couldn't get in there. Took me over an hour to line up the new connector.

Started it up, no CEL, checked the DTC w/ Xcal, no codes.

Test drive was nice.

So I am wondering, are the wires coming out of the sensor hitting that rail a problem? It is the correct p/n for this application.

Also, the old O2 had some carbon buildup on it. Never took one out before. Is it supposed to look like that?

I changed it because the Xcal2 datalog file showed very erratic behaviour and Neal at TP suggested that it be changed, or check for a manifold leak upstream of the O2. Didn't see any leaks (hard to tell).

Thanks for your help.