O2 sensor removal help
 

I've had my 1985 Targa for a couple of months and I'm really in love with it. As a kid I grew up admiring these things and now I own one. I bought mine for $1k. Inside and outside it looked good. Mechanically it was DONE! After $14k of work from New Mexico's best Porsche mechanic, it runs like it should.

After having all this work done by a pro, I want to finally do some myself. I'm looking at putting in a cat bypass and new "muffler". The exhaust comes with a bung hole for the O2 sensor.

So my questions are...any special tools needed to remove the sensor? I saw that Pelican sells a removal tool, but is it needed? Can I use WD40 to aide in the removal? After the new stuff is in, do I need to clean the sensor with anything? I've also seen where some people have put something on the threads prior to putting it back in. Is that needed and if so, what is it?

Your expertise is greatly appreciated! I love checking in daily to learn more about this great car.

Jamie

Here she is near Sandia Peak, New Mexico a few weeks ago.
 

If you don't know how old the O2 sensor is or have no record of it being changed you ought to replace it with a new one. Put a small dab of anti-sieze on the threads, don't get it on the tip. New sensors sometimes have anti-sieze on them.

Soak it with WD-40 or something similar. I've gotten mine off with a large cresent wrench.

Just did it but mine was older and stripped out, bought a new one. Yours probably is new, standard wrench (3/4" I think) will work. The special tool is for room only. I removed the rear tire, cut all the bolts to drop the cat and wrench fit right in there.

Hi Jamie,

Car looks great. Not a big deal since you are new, but since you asked about the O2 sensor in your other thread, best to stay in that thread so folks don't get confused.

I would use what Oh Haha said in the other thread - a deep well socket that is split to allow the wire to slip in. You should anti-seize compound on the threads to make it easier to remove in the future. No more than that. Use sparingly. Both are available at the local car parts store but Pelican's stuff is always good quality.

No silicone and take your time. I do not think clean up is necessary on the sniffing end and probably not advisable since you could damage something.

I would just go back to the other thread and continue with questions. Folks are glad to help.

Keep those original round headlights. I think they are cooler looking than the upgraded ones.

Good advice. I would suck it up and be done with it.

Use a punch tool and sledge. Tap on it to break the rust weld, cut the wire and Long Socket 13MM or 14MM and break it loose.

Place the new one use a crow foot to torque to spec. Then fish the wire thru and connect.

Take care of the female end it is very very brittle. If it crumbles, solder a bullet spade set.

Thanks for the input all. Seems easy enough, but I'm sure I'll run into something.

I'm not really planning on changing the look of the car. I want to keep it "stock" looking, but put a few personal touches on it or more so in it.