Car Fix DIY Videos

http://ford-trucks.com/how-tos is the leading Ford F-150 and Super Duty resource for technical DIY guides. Replacing an oxygen sensor isn’t a difficult task; here’s how to get the job done. For the full article, please visit http://ford-trucks.com/how-tos/a/ford-f150-f250-how-to-replace-oxygen-sensor-359988

The oxygen sensor is a clever little component that keeps track of your engine’s exhaust and promotes an accurate distribution of oxygen, nitrogen, and fuel.

For this reason, bad gas mileage can be both a symptom and a problematic result of a faulty oxygen sensor.

This part can be expensive to professionally replace, so you might want to attempt a DIY job if you’ve got the right tools in your garage.

This moderately difficult job takes from thirty to sixty minutes and costs up to two-hundred dollars. A professional may charge up to five hundred dollars for this repair.

For this job you’ll need a replacement oxygen sensor, penetrating oil, an oxygen sensor socket, a thread chaser, a floor jack, and two jack stands.

Step One – Lubricate the oxygen sensor

Locate the faulty oxygen sensor which should be positioned in the exhaust manifold just before or after the catalytic converter.
Once you have located the faulty sensor, drench it in penetrating oil, allowing it to soak for at least 24 hours prior to performing the task.
This will help you remove it later by making it significantly looser.

Step Two – Jack up your truck

With your truck parked on level ground, put it in neutral before proceeding to raise your truck, utilizing a floor jack and jack stands for support. Keep the parking brake on and rear wheels locked for safety while you lift the front of the truck.

Step Three – Thread the socket onto the sensor

Unscrew the faulty oxygen sensor by utilizing the socket and thread chaser. Insert your wrench into the oxygen sensor socket after placing it around the sensor.

Step Four – Disconnect the connectors on top of the transmission

Simply pinch the connectors on either side and pull them apart. In this image, the connectors are blue.

Step Five – Remove the protective cap from the new sensor

Remove the protective cap that the new sensor comes with.

Step Six – Thread the new sensor into the old sensor’s place

Reverse step three by threading the new sensor into the same place the old sensor was with a socket and a thread chaser.

Step Seven – Connect the new connector just above the transmission

The new connector should click right into place where the old connector used to be.

Having a malfunctioning oxygen sensor could cause you to fail state emissions.
If this component continues to need replacing, it could be the sign of a more serious problem with your exhaust system.