How the hell do you get the lambda sensor out?

[origin]

I've just bourght a new lambda sensor for the manifold for my astra, and spent the last 2 hours trying to get the old one out without breaking anything, But for the love of money i just can't get the old one to budge, i've soaked it with wd40 and even tryed holding the spanner in place and hitting it (the spanner) with a hammer. Is there some sort of trick at getting it out? or do i need a special tool or something?

[erroneusbogz]

run the car up to temp to heat the exhaust,some times you need a gas torch to get them out,wear gloves you really do not want to stick your skin onto it,it hurts a lot.

another way is to grind the top bit off the sensor your changeing and just leave the nut part then get a good rachet and socket on it

[origin]

Of course... metal "expands" when warm,
I knew it'd be something simple, couldn't thing of what though
cheers for that will give it a try

[astra1]

There is a tool you can get with a opening down the middle so it fits over the sensor to be easily removed..last thing you wanna do is break it while its in...if you can't get at it with what you have look for the right tool don't round it off when you try to undo it ...

[origin]

A' thourght there'd probably be a tool for it, i can't see vx heating up the exhaust with a torch for some reason..
I'll have a look for the tool if i cant get it off. I'll try not to round it off, but if i do could always grind it back and weld another nut to the top if i do.

Cheers guys

[astra1]

The tool looks like this example ..but you would need right size http://www.twenga.co.uk/dir-Cars-Mot...a-sensor-15827

[GMad]

As above there is a specific lambda socket with a slot and hole for the wires to pass through, but again as above, run the car up to temperature and then try it.. A normal spanner will suffice.

[astra1]

Yep a normal spanner will do the job ...just showing the alternative tool if he did not have right size spanner and rounded it off lol

[erroneusbogz]

A' thourght there'd probably be a tool for it, i can't see vx heating up the exhaust with a torch for some reason

you have never been in a vx garage then?

[K-Lone]

I have just got a very long socket for the job .
They are something silly like 22mm normally .

Where is your lambda on the exhaust ?

[GMad]

I have just got a very long socket for the job .
They are something silly like 22mm normally

Only works if you cut the wires.. Which I suppose you can if you're chucking the old one away.

[K-Lone]

Only works if you cut the wires.. Which I suppose you can if you're chucking the old one away.

Eggzaktly ..
Most of the time a lambda comes out if dead , unless you are changing and exhaust , even then you can cut the plug and rejoin the wires , as long as done properly and not just wound round .
2 whites - dont matter what way round .

[uglymonkey]

soaking it in WD40 would do diddlysquat - it isn't a release agent ...

[erroneusbogz]

not as such but it will help as its a very thin oil,penatrating oil is better

[MichaelT]

Try plusgas and adopt a squirt, wait, squirt, wait strategy for a while, can even leave it overnight if you like. Next day, repeat but on the last few squirts, follow it through with some light machine oil (3in1) and again leave it overnight if possible. Next day, repeat and then when you're ready, put a blowtorch on the threaded boss of the exhaust to get it nice and hot. When it's really hot, undo the old sensor using a cheater or breaker bar. If that doesn't work, and I'm sure it will, break and drill out the old one or leave it in and have a new boss fitted for the new sensor.

[Stereophoney]

When was at the vx dealership we used to just warm the sods up and get a good ring end spanner on them, the sockets were made by cadburys i believe !