DIY: Replacing air/fuel sensor
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 392
Likes: 4
From: CA
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
Likes: 1,379
From: Austin, TX
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 392
Likes: 4
From: CA
wow... i didn't know there was a service manual, this is pretty awesome. so is it basically like how you guys are writing up these DIY's? What are the advantages/disadvantages? i'd like to/need to do more work on my car so i am very interested in it. only thing is it's rather pricey.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
Likes: 1,379
From: Austin, TX
wow... i didn't know there was a service manual, this is pretty awesome. so is it basically like how you guys are writing up these DIY's? What are the advantages/disadvantages? i'd like to/need to do more work on my car so i am very interested in it. only thing is it's rather pricey.
I recently added DIY to replace oil pan gasket on my son's SC400. Service manual calls for removing the engine.
Then there are bad advice in DIYs and wrong diagnoses that are posted on the Forum. Believe me, I have a fair share of those (bad judgment are proportional to number of posts
).Service manuals are a must for DIYer. They were my first purchase from the parts store. Incidentally every product has service manual.
Salim
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 392
Likes: 4
From: CA
it was finally my turn to do Bank1 sensor.
Ordered the denso part through a->zon, paid a tad over $100.
Sprayed the sensor with Liquid Wrench
Pulled the connector off. 15 min effort.
Best tool to use is Box wrench 22mm with offset. Threaded the connector through the box-wrench [22mm opening is larger than the plastic connector]. I was expecting that I will tap, spray, rest, loop. First attempt and the sensor moved. Well, it came off easily for me.
I did buy the O2 sensor socket from HarborFreight for about $6.00 only to torque the new sensor in.
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.
Salim
Ordered the denso part through a->zon, paid a tad over $100.
Sprayed the sensor with Liquid Wrench
Pulled the connector off. 15 min effort.
Best tool to use is Box wrench 22mm with offset. Threaded the connector through the box-wrench [22mm opening is larger than the plastic connector]. I was expecting that I will tap, spray, rest, loop. First attempt and the sensor moved. Well, it came off easily for me.
I did buy the O2 sensor socket from HarborFreight for about $6.00 only to torque the new sensor in.
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.
Salim
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 392
Likes: 4
From: CA
just changed my b2s1 sensor. took half an hour or so but could have done it faster had i not tried using light duty tools first. i had rented both the sensor wrench and sensor sockets and was glad i did. i had a feeling the wrench would be insufficient based on my experience over the past few months. once i got the ratcheting torque wrench on there (i tried a breaker bar first but there wasn't enough room to turn), the sensor came loose. reset the cel light and it hasn't come back on.
thanks to OP and everyone who contributed here!
thanks to OP and everyone who contributed here!
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: CA
My thoughts on this thread......and a question.....
1) love Columbo, have the complete collection on dvd.
2) found a great way to disconnect the bank 1 sensor without a partner. Put in from the top (engine compartment) the handle from a trolley jack that has a nub on the end. It fits perfectly so that when I turn it, the nub clicks the electrical connector open, and i can leave it there keeping it open. Then go underneath and pull out the sensor electrical plug end, with the room for one hand that Lexus provided, ha ha. I am sure a foot long 1/2 inch dowel or piece of 1/2 copper pipe with a screw put in it could accomplish the same.
Anyways, so we can measure the resistance across the black wires. But what can we do to test the white and blue wires? And what are they for anyways? Maybe some temp sensing?
2) found a great way to disconnect the bank 1 sensor without a partner. Put in from the top (engine compartment) the handle from a trolley jack that has a nub on the end. It fits perfectly so that when I turn it, the nub clicks the electrical connector open, and i can leave it there keeping it open. Then go underneath and pull out the sensor electrical plug end, with the room for one hand that Lexus provided, ha ha. I am sure a foot long 1/2 inch dowel or piece of 1/2 copper pipe with a screw put in it could accomplish the same.
Anyways, so we can measure the resistance across the black wires. But what can we do to test the white and blue wires? And what are they for anyways? Maybe some temp sensing?
Last edited by beachlover; Apr 10, 2016 at 08:14 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Rousse
Regarding the A/F sensors, I found very interesting thing. I Italy, when the sensors are gone, more and more people do not bother to change them, but using this device:
This is an emulator, and the manufacturer claims that it is not affecting the work of ECU for others.
I even have one on my car (the one in the picture), but didn't know what is that and had it disconnected.
When spoke to a friend who is installing Gas fuel systems on cars, he said that it is a necessary device in order the engine to operate properly on alternative fuel.
He also said that it is a normal procedure to be used in Italy, because it costs around 85 Euro, and compared to the cost of 2 A/F sensors is worth the money.
This is an emulator, and the manufacturer claims that it is not affecting the work of ECU for others.
I even have one on my car (the one in the picture), but didn't know what is that and had it disconnected.
When spoke to a friend who is installing Gas fuel systems on cars, he said that it is a necessary device in order the engine to operate properly on alternative fuel.
He also said that it is a normal procedure to be used in Italy, because it costs around 85 Euro, and compared to the cost of 2 A/F sensors is worth the money.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 77
From: OH
I have never heard of using an emulator to replace an Air Fuel sensor. I thought these were just to replace the O2 sensor that is after a cat (when the cats have been replaced or are aftermarket and don't play nice). The after cat ones just throw a CEL if the exhaust is not clean enough. The A/F sensors actually control the mixture. Seems like you would be rich or lean all the time without the A/F sensors working.
Last edited by carguy07; Apr 10, 2016 at 09:08 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: CA
Regarding the A/F sensors, I found very interesting thing. I Italy, when the sensors are gone, more and more people do not bother to change them, but using this device:
This is an emulator, and the manufacturer claims that it is not affecting the work of ECU for others.
I even have one on my car (the one in the picture), but didn't know what is that and had it disconnected.
When spoke to a friend who is installing Gas fuel systems on cars, he said that it is a necessary device in order the engine to operate properly on alternative fuel.
He also said that it is a normal procedure to be used in Italy, because it costs around 85 Euro, and compared to the cost of 2 A/F sensors is worth the money.
This is an emulator, and the manufacturer claims that it is not affecting the work of ECU for others.
I even have one on my car (the one in the picture), but didn't know what is that and had it disconnected.
When spoke to a friend who is installing Gas fuel systems on cars, he said that it is a necessary device in order the engine to operate properly on alternative fuel.
He also said that it is a normal procedure to be used in Italy, because it costs around 85 Euro, and compared to the cost of 2 A/F sensors is worth the money.
Much like I wouldn't use a "full gas gauge" emulator, if that existed.
Last edited by beachlover; Apr 10, 2016 at 11:07 AM.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 2
From: ga
can I change AF sensor