hey folks,

Been spending the evening replacing a few items, like the pcv valve, fuel filter, and the upstream 02 sensors on my 01 F150 SuperCrew. After the mandatory curses and beverage consumption, I'm down to the passenger side 02 sensor....just how in the bloody hell are you supposed to get to that bad boy!?

I can't even get my fingertips close enough to touch the wire plug, let alone try to un-do it. Does anyone have some advice on how to attack that one?

Right now I'm running with one new & one old 02 sensor, I'd like to get it finished tomorrow before I have to drive anywhere, so your help is really appreciated on this one.... (luckily I work from home so I can have the day to try, try again)

 

It's easiest to get at it through the passenger's side wheel well. You might have to jack the truck up and pull the tire off for best access.

 

thanks quintin,

well I took the tire off to have a better look, and all it did for me was prove there's no way in hell I can replace it...I could probably finagle the sensor out


but I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hades to get the plug:


Guess this one will have to be left to when I get a new dual exhaust this spring....man it's frustrating when you can't get things done yourself.

 

You should be able to get it out through the wheel well, use an open end wrench and make sure to heat the sensor with a torch... Thats what I did, came out pretty easy actually. You'll have to push on the inner fender liner a bit to get the wrench in there, but it wont hurt anything. The plug however... Wasnt so easy....

 

I just changed the o2 sensors in my 01 5.4 last weekend, and it wasn't fun! To get at the passenger side o2 sensor I pulled out the inner wheel well cover and also ended up pulling out the transmisson dipstick tube. I picked up a offset 02 sensor socket from Autozone. By using all of the 1/2 inch socket extentions and a universal extention I had. I was able get the 1/2 breaker bar out pass the wheel well. I was able break the damm thing loose. Getting the wire plug apart was alot easier after I pulled the whole plug assembly from it's mounting on the backside of the head. Then I was able to use a 7/8 wrench and turned the sensor out of the exhast pipe. The other side was a piece of cake. I hope this helps.

 

I have to agree with the other replies. The only effective way to get it out is to remove the inner fender well and pull the tire off. You'll be surprised how much room you have if you follow this advice. Spray the sensor with some liquid wrench before you attempt to remove it. I had the engine out of mine when I replaced the sensors - and I still did it through the fender well.

Good luck!

 

I have new sensors to put in my truck and am not looking forward to the install. I guess I will go after the passenger side on first. If I get it out then the other side will be gravy.

 

I too am looking at my O2 sensors. I am thinking about replacing them this weekend. The sensors look easy. It is the stupid wire connectors that I dread. I don't see any way to unplug and re-plug them.

But as much as I don't like the looks of the O2's, I think I HATE the looks of the spark plugs!

 

The plugs are the hardest part. Just put a drop of WD-40 on the clip mechanism. It makes it much easier to unclip when you push the little lever down. Then you can just pull the wires on the old O2 sensor and it will come uncliped easily. Also, the WD-40 will allow the new O2 sensor's plug to engage very easily by just pushing on the wires.

 

chester8420, thanks for the tips. I'm not sure if I can get my hand up there to reach the plug. Oh, well. I'll get it though.

 

It helped me a lot when I removed my transmission dipstick. It is held on by one bolt. Then just yank it out of the transmission (it is held together by a rubber pipe)

At least, that's how mine is. Your may be different.

 

Reply to Chester8420. It is interesting you were pulled your transmission dipstick tube out. Normally when you do this, you end up dumping about a quart of transmission fluid on the floor. If this didn't happen to you, then I wonder if your fluid level is quite low. I wouldn't recommend pulling the dipstick tube - it could be messy.

 

I pulled the metal part out of the rubber part. The dipstick was still in the pipe and the plastic part was way down in the tranny. I don't know what you're talking about.....

 

All I have to say is good LUCK . I did the same job 2 weeks ago and I will never do it again. I was able to do it with the wheel and iner finder in place. But I lost a lot of skin and I'm glad my kids wern't around. on getting the plug out I was able to take my longest screwdriver and got it uncliped from the frame. and pulled it out from under the iner fender and unhooked it. Then I took my wrench up from the bottom and took a chance and hit it with a hammer to break it loose. Dumb I know but I was running out of time. But it worked and I got it done. If you have the time take off your wheel , iner finder and dip stick like the others said I think it will go alot smoother.