HOW-TO: Mechanical CEL Fix for a Header

[honhon]

repeat.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Originally Posted by homeboyjames

dammit i rounded the nut on the bottom 02 sensor cant get it out ... guess im going to have to pull the fing header back out..... man this just makes my g day ive never been so g pissed off

So nobody else has this problem: First off using an O2 sensor socket is the best idea instead of a 12 pt or box end of a wrench. That's of minor importance compared to the loosening trick. Heat will loosen things up for you. Wear leather gloves and a long sleeve shirt, and run the engine to loosen the stubborn O2 sensor. Once it's hot, get back under there and it will break loose- be careful not to get burned! I've had to use this trick on many a repair after a DIY job.

I hope that helps someone in the future. Sorry I didn't see this sooner.

[gokart2]

Heating up the exhaust will help, but may cause you to kill the threads in the bung. But.... get it hot, then use a 02 socket if possible (if not a 21mm is better fit then a 7/8 wrench), try to loosen it up a bit, but once it starts seizing again stop. Spray WD-40 (TAP MAGIC is by far the best stuff in the world for penatrating oil) onto the threads, then tighten it back up. Not too tight though. Then loosen again, spray the threads, tighten....keep doing that. After a few trys, it should come out. We use these sensors at work all the time, but we put anti-seize on them even though Ford puts a tiny speck on them. You should only need to get the sensor/bung warm for the initial break loose.

[NemesisEnforcer]

as far as heat, its not aluminum is it? cuz oh MAN does that shiite strip when it gets hot! bye-bye threads, that's for sure! i hated that on my last car. aluminum block. whatta pita.

glad you got it off man!

[whynotthinkwhynot]

I need a wiping my brow smiley.

No, both are steel, but some steels are weaker than others.

[willybos]

Great thread man! This is going to help me so much. I was just talking about problems with the header on a PZEV, did you make this thread because of little 'ol me?

[pitchblack_focus]

What header is used for this write up? I have the Draxas header and there is just no room for the 2 AF's and the O2 sensor to fit on the 3rd O2. I have space issues with the steering and a heat shield being right there. I have the AF's on the 2nd O2 which works for about 3 days at a time.

[JAMUS]

this header is F2 USA's version 3 header for the duratec

[pitchblack_focus]

Thanks Jamus, I need to find some pics of both headers and see if the 3rd O2 bungs differ in placement.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by pitchblack_focus

What header is used for this write up? I have the Draxas header and there is just no room for the 2 AF's and the O2 sensor to fit on the 3rd O2. I have space issues with the steering and a heat shield being right there. I have the AF's on the 2nd O2 which works for about 3 days at a time.

can you fit one AF on the last o2 sensor? If so, try drilling out the AF almost all the way, just enough to be able to screw the sensor all the way into it. You may not be able to do this, but it's worth a try. Make sure that the sensor doesn't come in contact with the AF in any way. Then, follow the how to on the second o2 sensor.