What was your most frustrating problem in the last week or so ?

Here's mine from this afternoon.

I've had a code for A bank upstream O2 sensor for awhile and had already ordered and received a replacement from Rock Auto that was sitting on the bench. I was getting my Winter car (95 X Type VDP) ready for Fall, replacing plugs and coils and realized that this was the time to finally put in that bank A sensor while I had the intake manifold off, so, I ordered another sensor for B bank for 1/3 off closeout price (Denso) along with two sensor sockets (Performance Tools) and set about. That's when the gremlins showed up. The A bank sensor would not budge with a half inch drive breaker bar, and upon inspection, I found the two sensor sockets had failed.




No brand, just, "China". and put a long pipe on it .

The exhaust to cat stud interfered with the open end wrench, but the wrench held, and I was able to remove the sensor with one mm rotations of the wrench. It was still too rusted to turn off by hand, so I used a long nosed vise grip to turn it off.


Here's what the problem was: no anti seize, just rust.

I was able to install the new sensor with the defective sockets, as I was tightening, now, but getting a torque wrench capable of 40 NM back there was more trouble. I, of course, put appropriate anti seize compound on the threads. At this time I received a delivery notice for the bank B sensor, so I went out to the mailbox–nothing there. I called the post office to notify them it may have been misdelivered. She said, "I'll call the carrier before she leaves the area, so she can rectify it and call you back". She called back with bad news about twenty minutes later, "The package was misshipped to a town about 50 miles away, and, we can't get it back here for two days". "When the carrier delivered the mail and found she didn't have the package to scan, she typed in the tracking number and marked it delivered" – a big no no. She apparantly got a lecture from her superior, but I got two more days to wait. Oh well–all in a day's work!

 

If replacing the O2 sensor I don't fight it!
Cut the wires off the sensor and then use a 6 point socket on the sensor.
Also the O2 sensors need little torque when installing so a nice snug is all that's needed.
I also use anti-Seize on the threads too (Old habits are hard to break!) but if you read the sensors already come with a coating on the threads.
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Thanx,

Denso sent them untreated, but with a small packet of anti seize. I was about to cut the wires, but thought I should test it for a spare, since they cost so much. I also considered cutting a slot in an old 7/8 spark plug socket with an angle grinder. Not many 7/8 plugs in my life anymore. In any case, the PT sockets are going back–pretty soft steel for tough work.

Best,
Rick