Can I use a vice grip on my O2 sensor?

I can't believe you are telling people to use vice-grips to remove the oxygen sensor. That is bad advice, because a non-zero number of people will read that, and then strip it so that a wrench won't fit, and after it strips they will tighten up the vice-grips until they crush it, and then it will never come out and they will replace the exhaust manifold. Vice-grips can turn this 15-minute job into a multi-day project. Please don't ever put vice-grips on any nut or bolt unless it is already hopelessly stripped.

Here is the correct solution if you don't have the special socket, or it doesn't fit. Unplug the sensor wire. Run the wire through the hole of an open-end wrench, and then fit the wrench over the sensor and remove it. If you can't turn the wrench, get a longer one, or hook another wrench on the end for leverage do not try this with cheap wrenches because they may break.



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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Replacing your 3-Series E30 Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Thanks for that pleasant reminder. Use the proper tools first before resorting to any last ditched efforts

- Nick