How difficult would it be to install an oxygen sensor myself?

Question

I'm sick of getting robbed by mechanics, and I think I'm ready to get my hands dirty. I was just wondering how expensive and difficult it would be for me to replace an oxygen sensor on my car. Also, I think my thermostat needs replacing too. Thanks for the help. By the way, I drive a 98 Subabru Legacy GT. Thanks again.

Answer 1

You won't know till you try. It might come right out with an open end wrench, or it might wind up getting cut out with a torch and a new hole made. You usually don't need the special socket. With most of them you can just unplug the connector and slip a box wrench over the wire. If you bust it off, just take it to Midas and resign yourself to paying an extra $40 for trying to do it yourself.

Answer 2

Its not hard to replace the sensor, but first you need to know which of the possible four O2 sensors is bad. I would let the car warm up, shut it off, them use an O2 socket or 7/8 wrench to unscrew it . Be sure to unplug it first. It would also be a good idea to get an O2 from the dealer because although one from Auto Zone may be cheaper, You will have to splice your old connector onto it. You could easily mix up the wires. As for the thermastat.... leave it to the professionals. Too many times I've seen people change their own thermastat without purging all of the air from the system. This will cause overheating and even worse blown head gasket.

Answer 3

You need to give more information. There is more than one Oxygen Sensor on your car.

Is your check engine light on, or are you doing maintenance?

Additional Info- Use an aspirin to hold the thermostat open. This will allow you to properly bleed the system of air. A short while the later the aspirin will dissolve and the thermostat will function normally.

Answer 4

Sometimes they fall out other times you have to fight them all the way,
and it scares me that you are talking about a Subaru.
The exhaust pipes on these cars can be problematic in the first place.
If it is unwilling to come out, sometimes you can tear the bung right off of the pipe and then you will either need a new pipe or a new bung welded on.
Generally it is just a 7/8 inch wrench

Answer 5

NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!

buy the socket for Your specific car and model.
disconnect the wire,but leave it on,run the engine until get to running normal temperature.
put some gloves,turn off the engine,
using socket,ratchet and extension,loose the oxy sensor by twiting conter clock wise,once is loose leave to cool.
when engine is cold,remove the oxy sensor and install the new one with anti sieze.

Answer 6

it's really not that hard to replace the O2 Sensor all you got to do it buy a new one and go to autozone and they let you use thier tools spray some WD40 by the old one brfor trying to take it off

Answer 7

you will need a O2 sensor socket ,you can get one at any auto parts store , but frist ,do you have a missfire condition ,bad plug wire or spark plug ? this will trip o2 code , you need to have your codes checked for miss fire info before you buy parts .