98 V70 Oxygen Sensor tool

Post by **98v70dad** » 24 Feb 2015, 08:43

I want to replace the O2 sensors in my 98 V70 non-turbo with 125 K miles to improve the gas mileage. I may just do the front one, but to get it over and done for a good long while I might do both. Money is a bit of a factor because I planned to replace the MAF sensor too and all three adds up to a good deal of cash at once. I'm planning to replace all three with Bosch components.

I need to buy a tool to help get them off. I've found two types. One is like a split socket and the other is is like a split socket with a crows foot (I saw that one in an FCP video on youtube). The tool with the offset crows foot attacnment looks like it would be easier to use since it is more compact and the application of torque is closer to the O2 sensor threads, but I have no experience with this. I really don't know which would be better and I don't want to end up buying one of each.

Will anyone tell me what tool they prefer for this task and why?

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Feb 2015, 08:47

AutoZone and likes offer loan-a-tool.
The toolbox will have two sockets.
The crow-foot design worked better.

Return the tool, and get your deposit back.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Feb 2015, 10:14

Agreed, I always use the loaner tool for O2 sensors.

The one I use looks like this:

It works but the sensors can be a pain to break loose. Use penetrant and be prepared to use heat.

Some food for thought: I realize you are not just doing maintenance but more like preventive restorations via systematic, wholesale replacements, but if "money is a bit of a factor" then you could easily wait to replace the MAF. They either work or they don't, they don't wear out the way an aging O2 sensor does. I don't think I've ever heard of a bad MAF that wasn't accompanied by stumbling and/or codes. The MAF in there now may last several years yet.

Post by **j-dawg** » 24 Feb 2015, 10:41

I've found the plain split-socket ones not to work too well, maybe because my local parts store has crappy ones. A tip I've heard is to squeeze the split socket with hose clamps after placing it on the sensor, so it resists twisting apart.

Post by **98v70dad** » 24 Feb 2015, 10:50

erikv11 wrote:Agreed, I always use the loaner tool for O2 sensors.

The one I use looks like this:

It works but the sensors can be a pain to break loose. Use penetrant and be prepared to use heat.

Some food for thought: I realize you are not just doing maintenance but more like preventive restorations via systematic, wholesale replacements, but if "money is a bit of a factor" then you could easily wait to replace the MAF. They either work or they don't, they don't wear out the way an aging O2 sensor does. I don't think I've ever heard of a bad MAF that wasn't accompanied by stumbling and/or codes. The MAF in there now may last several years yet.

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Feb 2015, 11:27

erikv11 wrote:...
Some food for thought: I realize you are not just doing maintenance but more like preventive restorations via systematic, wholesale replacements, but if "money is a bit of a factor" then you could easily wait to replace the MAF. They either work or they don't, they don't wear out the way an aging O2 sensor does. I don't think I've ever heard of a bad MAF that wasn't accompanied by stumbling and/or codes. The MAF in there now may last several years yet.

Insightful!

Post by **mecheng** » 24 Feb 2015, 13:38

I got the socket version for only $12, well worth it. Don't use an open end wrench, it will strip the sensor.(I tried that)

Post by **98v70dad** » 24 Feb 2015, 16:30

erikv11 wrote:Agreed, I always use the loaner tool for O2 sensors.

The one I use looks like this:

It works but the sensors can be a pain to break loose. Use penetrant and be prepared to use heat.

Some food for thought: I realize you are not just doing maintenance but more like preventive restorations via systematic, wholesale replacements, but if "money is a bit of a factor" then you could easily wait to replace the MAF. They either work or they don't, they don't wear out the way an aging O2 sensor does. I don't think I've ever heard of a bad MAF that wasn't accompanied by stumbling and/or codes. The MAF in there now may last several years yet.

Good point. Maybe I'd be better off replacing the front and rear O2 sensors now and MAF later. I can afford to do all three at once but if the MAF either works or it doesn't I'm just throwing money away to replace it early. Since this is my daily driver, though, when the MAF does fail I don't want to drive around with it unplugged and the car in default mode because I put about 500 miles a week on my car and I'll be wasting a lot of gas while waiting for a replacement part. When my job was airplane maintenance component manufacturers published mean time before failure (MTBF) figures. Armed with that number you can schedule proactive replacements and without wasting a lot of unused component life. It would be handy but probably almost impossible to get that data for car parts.

Post by **98v70dad** » 24 Feb 2015, 16:35

mecheng wrote:I got the socket version for only $12, well worth it. Don't use an open end wrench, it will strip the sensor.(I tried that)

Sometimes having a specialty tool that doesn't cost much is worth it. You'll have it to lend to friends and they'll be more likely to lend something you might need in the future. Or with some my mechanically inclined friends lending a tool equals FREE lunch at the bbq from the borrower.

Post by **98v70dad** » 24 Feb 2015, 17:53

i've been thinking about this a little and I may be way off base, but why couldn't you just clip the wires, take sawzall and cut off the top of the sensor and use a regular 22 mm socket to remove the O2 sensor. Then put the new one in with a cheap o2 sensor tool or a 22mm box end wrench? Maybe access and clearances would not let you go this route...anybody tried this?