Driving with bad O2 Sensor
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Driving with bad O2 Sensor
I posted a few weeks ago that my front drive shaft (4Matic) had to be replaced due to a broken U-joint. When it was repaired, the shop said it looked like the right front oxygen sensor may have been damaged but no codes were thrown. Sure enough, a couple of days later CEL came on and, as expected, was P2196 - front right O2 sensor. I haven't had a chance to replace it yet and probably won't for another week. I know it is probably running rich as a result and that long term damage could occur to the cats but at this point, it runs fine, though it does smell a bit rich at startup.
Question to the group is, will short-term driving cause any issues or am I good for a bit until I can get under the car and replace the sensor?
Question to the group is, will short-term driving cause any issues or am I good for a bit until I can get under the car and replace the sensor?
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
I posted a few weeks ago that my front drive shaft (4Matic) had to be replaced due to a broken U-joint. When it was repaired, the shop said it looked like the right front oxygen sensor may have been damaged but no codes were thrown. Sure enough, a couple of days later CEL came on and, as expected, was P2196 - front right O2 sensor. I haven't had a chance to replace it yet and probably won't for another week. I know it is probably running rich as a result and that long term damage could occur to the cats but at this point, it runs fine, though it does smell a bit rich at startup.
Question to the group is, will short-term driving cause any issues or am I good for a bit until I can get under the car and replace the sensor?
Question to the group is, will short-term driving cause any issues or am I good for a bit until I can get under the car and replace the sensor?
A few places you can buy the parts for a decent price is FCPeuro. com and Rockauto. com
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
Curious about Amazon parts...most of the sensors that I checked out also mentioned that they fit Doge/Mitsubishi, etc. So does that mean that the O2 sensor is kind of "universal" and should fit all the vehicles listed? I've never bought parts from Amazon and I saw a review on Amazon that if you buy the parts from Amazon, the OE manufacturer doesn't provide you the factory warranty unless you buy it directly off their site.
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Wow, I knew it would be tight getting to the upstream oxygen sensor but I did finally contort myself and smash my hands enough to get to the sensor (is soaking in liquid wrench now) but I really cannot see how I can possibly get to the connector.
I was able to unclip the wire but can’t reach any further. Short of finding someone with Pygmy hands and freakishly long arms is there some trick or other way to go in to get access to the connector??
I was able to unclip the wire but can’t reach any further. Short of finding someone with Pygmy hands and freakishly long arms is there some trick or other way to go in to get access to the connector??
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George, Do you have a special wrench for them?
https://www.amazon.com/EWK-Oxygen-Se.../dp/B00H9XH4W8
https://www.amazon.com/EWK-Oxygen-Se.../dp/B00H9XH4W8
I may have to just save the frustration and stop by my local indy shop and have him do the work.
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Replacing Upstream Right O2 Sensor
Of course it had to be the right, upstream sensor...the hardest one to get to!
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I gave it another 3 hours of effort tonight and just cannot get my hand far enough up there to access the connector. I can barely see it and even tried accessing it with a grabber tool but even if I could break it free I probably wouldn’t be able to get the new one connected.
I think the only way to get enough room will be to drop the exhaust so I’ll be heading to my local muffler shop tomorrow.
I think the only way to get enough room will be to drop the exhaust so I’ll be heading to my local muffler shop tomorrow.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
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From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
I gave it another 3 hours of effort tonight and just cannot get my hand far enough up there to access the connector. I can barely see it and even tried accessing it with a grabber tool but even if I could break it free I probably wouldn’t be able to get the new one connected.
I think the only way to get enough room will be to drop the exhaust so I’ll be heading to my local muffler shop tomorrow.
I think the only way to get enough room will be to drop the exhaust so I’ll be heading to my local muffler shop tomorrow.
