DIY: How to remove and replace Oxygen Sensors

Did a search and there were various threads about the subject and not one DIY write up that can help someone when its time for them to replace their O2 sensors so I thought I'd create one.

So here you go for sharing:

Situation:
Check engine light came on. Pulled fault codes using OBD Facile Android App.

Fault codes thrown were:
- P0030 (Heated Oxygen Sensor, Heater Control Circuit, Bank 1 Sensor 1),
- P1135: (O2 Sensor Heater, PreCat ECU1).

Summary:
Removed and replaced Pre-Cat O2 sensors.

Result:
Check Engine Light gone.

Attached is a DIY. Hope this helps some of you.

Dan
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View attachment DIY O2 Sensor Remove and Replace.pdf

 

7 page doc! Whew. Nice to do. I just got to the connection, unplugged so it didn't twist, and then used a normal wrench to take off the sensor. The connector is a little bit unique.

 

Hey u da man Dan! we 360 owners will one day need to tackle this job so great info Dan thanks for sharing.

Cheers

 

Youre welcome!

I forgot to mention, my car is 11 years old with 21K miles. Seems a little too soon for the O2 sensors to go bad but it is what it is....

Dan

 

Yeh it never ends with these F cars, bad tensioners, heat exch, weak headers, blah blah blah
that's why we love them so much. One more PDF to add to my DIY folder. Gotta love F/chat and the good folk on here.
My 360 is new to me I stepped up from a 308GTB 6 months ago always wanted a 360 she was a bit neglected so im layin bit of TLC on her got a wee bit outa control.

Cheers
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Whooooaaa! Dayum! I wish I had your talent and guts to work on cars at that level of detail!

I bow to you.

Dan

 

Thanks - I didn't know you needed a special tool to remove the oxygen sensors!

 

Brilliant article Dan, well done - I'll have to get ready to do mine soon then as your car has done 1 mile less than mine

thanks again
Ian

 

Incidentally my 360 is at 41k and still on the original sensors with no problems...

 

Or a wrench.

 

Well, my dad raised me always saying "the right tool for the right job".

You dont really need a special tool. You can use an open end wrench 22mm or 7/8.
But if the O2 sensor is frozen tight and the penetrating oil didnt do much help to loosen up the rusted thread you will have a difficult time removing the sensors as you dont get very much leverage out of the normal open end wrench.

With the tools I listed above it literally took me less than 2 minutes to remove each sensor. No hardship no struggles.

I just like to do things the easy way. Why suffer or have a hard time if there are better options?
Plus it gives me reason to buy new tools

Dan

 

You're welcome Ian.

Thanks for the appreciation.

Dan

 

Good for you!

Thanks for sharing great info.

I really dont know what causes them to go bad. Luckily they are very easy to replace.

Dan

 

By the way, the O2 electrical connector may be difficult to figure out how to unmate for the not so electrically inclined. I can take photo and provide instructions if anyone has a hard time figuring it out.

Dan

 

I forgot to mention that the Ferrari parts diagram and the diagram also shown in Ricambi as far as location of the O2 sensors are inaccurate.

The Pre-Cat sensor is not located forward of the catalytic converter. its actually located way more forward, on the outboard side of the headers as shown on the photo below.

Dan
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Thread added to DIY sticky thread.

Thanks for the info!!

 

You're welcome!

I'm always happy to help.

Dan

 

My mechanic also informed me that I need to replace pre-cat O2 sensors. He was gonna charge me 1 hr labor per side. It'd be great if I can DIY. I looked through the PDF and it looks straightforward, but I wasn't sure whether you can do all of this work without lifting the car. Can you do all of this with only top-down engine bay access?

Thanks!

 

I replaced all fours without lifting the car. And within 30 minutes.

 

I replaced one of the sensors in my F430. Was getting lean and rich fuel mixture errors when the CEL came up. The precat sensors are easier to replace due to accesssibility. I used a household adjustable spanner and the handle from my car jack. I used the jack handle as a lever against the engine frame and the spanner which freed up the sensor. I had to remove the large engine panel prior to doing this

 

Thanks for the info folks. I'm gonna give it a shot.

 

When my 02 sensor on the header seized, I just took off the wheel and wheel well, stuck a 4 foot pipe on my wrench and got it off in a jiffy


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Yes, you can do all of the R & R from the top of the car.
No need to remove the bottom panel.

Dan

 

I finally got around to attempting this and I'm stuck at figuring out how to unmate the electrical connector. It looks like the connector is attached to a mounting point via a sleeve-like groove (which I was able to undo by pushing the connection up), but that doesn't help me much as now it's in an even more awkward position where I can't get my fingers around things.

Did you remove the side covers before doing this work? I'm here trying to reach in from the side and using an inspection mirror to actually see the connector...

Thanks.

 

Hi. I'm sorry but it's been a while since I did the O2 replacement that I can no longer remember the details.

I'm also here in Las Vegas (I live in Seattle) and I don't have access to my photos stored in my home PC to check.

Sorry I can't help much....

Dan

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