help needed: o2 sensor tool
 

i'm having trouble taking of the o2 sensor off my 325i. what is the best tool, method to get it off. i bought sensor socket (not the bosch tool) but no go. is the bosch style socket better (like the one sold by bavarian)?

thanks

If you live in MD, you can borow it from me. I bought it from bavarian.

I found that i could not get a socket around the sensor due to a small clearance between the sensor and the chassis. I just took a large pair of vice-grips and loosened it.

I got a tool from the local auto parts store. I found I couldn't get enough leverage with the exhaust system in place, so dropped it at the front, then used cargo straps to tie the exhuast system to something firm up there. With that done, I could get a breaker bar on the socket, and apply some leg force to get it off.

Jack up the car, disconect the rear and middle exhaust hangers and let the exhaust hang down from the headers, you may want to support it at the rear with a jackstand but it will give you plenty of clearance

I found that you do not need to drop the exhaust. Just spray it with some penetrant, then hit it with the vise grips. Should just pop out.

i've temporarily fixed the 02 sensor problem by connecting the frayed wire, but only lasted a week. check engine light is back on. :(
i tried the vise grip and used some wd40 but no luck. i think my 02 is just 'stuck' in there. what penetrant do you suggest? i'll try to drop the exhaust and hopefully get some leverage. what connection point should i loosen / unbolt to 'carefully' lower the exhaust without damaging anything?

thanks

O2 "O-no"
 

I'd hate to see anyone go through that much trouble just to find out this wasn't the real problem. Might I suggest your best investment yet for you "do-it-yourselfers", it's the BMW Code Scan and reset tool. See the related link below for clarifications.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Mult-Code_Reading/Mult-Code_Reading.htm

Go here if you are interested:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/autocat/load_page.cgi?page_number=1&bookmark=1&model=BE12& currsection=electr
SmileWavy