Can't get o2 housing OFF!!

[rock0134]

Ok, so I started by wanting to change the o2 sensor because Dsmlink said it was shot. So I tried to get the old one off and there is no way to get a socket on it because of the bolt connecting the housing to the downpipe.

I took the downpipe off and then decided to just order a new o2 housing off of ebay with an external dump as long as I had a new o2 sensor to put in anyways.

So I got the top 2 bolts out of the turbo to o2 housing. Those were easy. Then I got the easy one of the lower nuts off. Then of course the 4th is up and you can hardly reach it. No way to get a socket on it and there is a hard line in the way which is ridiculous.

Does anyone know how to get this off? If you have done it , you know the one I am talking about too. I reallly need to get it off beacuse I can't put my fuel pump and injectors in until I have it all put back together with a working o2 sensor.

Please help me.

 

[hypnoticpimp]

yeah its a real biatch...remove the dipstick tube, its 1 bolt...that gives you a lil more room to work with...PB blast the crap out of it...

 

[rock0134]

That's the dipstick tube? It goes to the oil filter housing....

 

[RJD2]

The dipstick tube goes down to the oil pan. If I were you I'd get some swivel sockets that helped me alot and PB the hell out of it like hypnoticpimp said.

 

[rock0134]

What are swivel sockets?

 

[gixxerdrew]

They are a socket that allows you to have an extension sitting at an angle basically it can bend. Imagine like a straw with a socket on the end. It can bend at one point making it easier to work in tight spaces. When I had a setup like yours what i did was put a stubby wrench in a vice and bent it. I made myself a special tool just for that nut. You may end up having to remove the entire exhaust manifold or turbo from the exhaust manifold just to get to that nut if its bad.

 

[Boostjunki84]

They are a socket that allows you to have an extension sitting at an angle basically it can bend. Imagine like a straw with a socket on the end. It can bend at one point making it easier to work in tight spaces.

+1 for swivel sockets. This will work. I just did it a few days ago. It's a real pain, but you can do it without removing the exhaust manifold or turbo.

 

[OneLove]

I used a Crows foot to get that bolt off.
I also had to loosen the exhaust manifold to turbo bolts a little and pull it a bit over to the side also to get down there.

 

[kenamond]

I don't understand why you couldn't get the O2 sensor out of the stock O2 housing in the first place. Get an O2 sensor socket and a wrench that fits the hex head of the socket (can't get a ratchet on there as I recall) and wrench the bastard out of the housing. PB blast it a day before if possible or bash the wrench with a hammer to break it loose. I bought the sensor socket (and have used it a few times so far), but I've read that Autozone will lend them out.

If that doesn't work, I'd try the other suggestions. When I dropped my turbo, I was under the impression that it would be impossible to get that nut off with the turbo installed, but others have said it's possible.

 

[qiklitltsi]

Ive always found it easier to take off the turbo to take off the 02 housing, becarefull of the dipstick the plastic piece is easy to break off when the turbo comes out. It only takes me about a hour to take it off and have the car running again.

 

[98eclipsekidd08]

Ive always found it easier to take off the turbo to take off the 02 housing, becarefull of the dipstick the plastic piece is easy to break off when the turbo comes out. It only takes me about a hour to take it off and have the car running again.

Ha been there with breaking off the dipstick, and this is how i changed out my o2 housing aswell.

 

[rock0134]

I don't understand why you couldn't get the O2 sensor out of the stock O2 housing in the first place. Get an O2 sensor socket and a wrench that fits the hex head of the socket (can't get a ratchet on there as I recall) and wrench the bastard out of the housing. .

I said I did have the o2 socket and that since the o2 sensor is so close to the housing to downpipe bolt, that I cannot get the socket around the o2 sensor. It doesn't matter now since I ordered a new housing, but I still have to get that one nut off...

I can't believe the location that thing is at it is nuts.

Any other advice before I go give her hell again?

 

[Boostjunki84]

I recommend getting to the bolt from underneath, rather than trying to reach it from up top. Make sure to spray it down real good with PB blaster or WD-40 and start twisting. It seems like it's going to take forever, but it only took me a few minutes and a lot of elbow grease.

 

[rock0134]

yea I have been getting at it from underneath, which is a pain because of the numbness you get in your arms after a while.

But that metal tube that is almost touching that bolt goes down and turns and goes to the oil filter housing. I have replaced the 3 inch section of tube near that and it's coolant that is in the line...

This is the o2 housing I ordered. The bolt that I can't get off is the one on top in the picture that you can see.
eBay Motors: DSM PORTED EXTERNAL O2 DUMP HOUSING Talon Eclipse 1g 2g (item 260230802535 end time Apr-20-08 18:37:22 PDT)

 

[bmoha2]

With the turbo off and with the turbo on. I ran into a nasty stuck O2 sensor that wouldn't budge with penetrant lubricant. That was with an O2 sensor socket. I wound up getting frustrated and cut off the lead to the O2 sensor and used a deep well socket and some more torque and wrenched it off. If your O2 sensor is shot and it is going to be replaced like mine was just cut off the leads to it which will be replaced with the new O2 sensor and use a deep well socket. it will give it just a tiny bit more grip than a O2 sensor socket will. You should be able to get this done with the O2 sensor on the car. Did you buy a stock replacement O2 sensor housing or an upgrade housing? If you bought a stock replacement O2 sensor housing sell it. it's not necessary. you can get the job done without replacing it. If it is an upgrade housing th last ditch effort would be to pull the turbo and if you do that new gaskets would be the quon. You don't want to get a new O2 sensor in there with leaks.

 

[rock0134]

I took the bolt off that held that metal tube that goes to the oil filter housing in place and that gave me enough room to get a 14mm closed end wrench on it. There was about an inch or two of leverage room to work with but luckily the bolt wasn't too stuck...

I didn't even put any wd-40 on it until after I broke it loose, so that it would be able to unthread by hand.

My hands are black, and 4 of my knuckles are bleeding, but it's finally off.

I am excited to get the new stainless o2 housing with the external dump because it will look a LOT better than that rusted POS and it will be loud as hell.

I am going to wait to put in my 850's and 190 fuel pump until after I have the o2 housing and working sensor in just so I don't have too much torn apart at once. Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[Boostjunki84]

Congrats! Glad to hear you were finally able to break that bad boy loose.

I took a look at that housing your getting; I used to have one similar (from a different ebay seller), except it was recirculated. My housing ended up cracking after a little over a year. However, many people have had good luck with these. Hopefully, you won't have any problems.

 

[rock0134]

Yea I hope it lasts because that was a bi*** of a job.

 

[meliketoball]

Take off the o2 housing, get your wrench, pry it against the ground and stomp on it. That's how I got mine off. Or you can put the wrench on the o2 sensor and hit the wrench the direction of twisting it off on the ground.