Need to find someone able to replace my Lambda (O2) sensors.
 

Hi, I live in East London and I'm looking for someone capable of replacing the two sensors on the rear bank - the one closest to the bulk head.
I have tried several local garages to me and they don't want to take on the job, one tried and failed but I still had ended up paying £100 for labour. I even tried a "Jaguar specialist" close to me and they were utterly unreliable - never returned phone calls and it's not the first time this has happened, they have a mixed reputation locally, you either get a very good service from them or a poor one that leaves you frustrated, several local garages don't rate them well.
My local Jaguar dealership wants £300 + for the job and that does not include V.A.T. I do not want to pay that kinda money.
It failed it's M.O.T by .01 and I need them replaced. It's the only thing it failed on.

I did the front two last year myself but cannot get on the one closest the bulk head, I can get the 22mm socket on it but it's tightly in there and strongly believe the exhaust manifold will have to come off, this is what two local garages have said, one of which said they have done one before but the sensor shredded the thread in the Cat and would not give a price to do the job, just that their labour rate is £70 an hour and would like the car the day before the job is booked so they can "lubricate the bolts over night".

Anyone able to help?

Thanks in advance, Sean

Sean, if you did the front ones, then you can do the rear ones. The trick is getting in at the correct point. When I did mine, I pulled the intake off to give me a bit more room. This allowed me to place my left hand between the engine and the firewall and my right hand I could slide through an opening to the right of the intake (8 o'clock position from the brake booster on a US car). Do not use the socket. The one I had would open up and just slip on the sensor. There is a special O2 sensor removal piece you need to get. IT would remind you of a crowsfoot that goes on a socket wrench, but it has most of the last 1cm of a socket on it (has a slit to allow you to get it around the wiring). From there, you can use a 1/2" breaker bar to break it loose. Like what the shop is wanting to do, you can spray the sensor with some PB Blaster to help eat away some of the corrosion if you try and think you are going to apply too much force. I remember mine being initially fairly tough, but once it broke free, came out really easy.

I wish you were closer to me. I would tell you to stop by. I have the special tool and all. Can be had for like 10 pounds. Your local auto parts store should carry it. If you need me to include a picture of it, let me know.

22mm 1/2" DRIVE LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR OFFSET REMOVAL SOCKET TOOL + HOLE WIRE 26-8 | eBay
Hi Sean this is the tool i used dead easy to get it in and undo the sensor

Sean, the tool that 4x4x4 lists is what I am talking about. May seem like the same tool as the socket, but trust me, worlds different. Well worth the few bucks for one.

Hi guys thanks for the replies!
For some reason I did not get any e-mails notifying me of the comments as I normally do so my apologies for the late reply.

Chris - I also took the inlet manifold off when I had my first attempt. I have the socket that sits over the sensor with the slit down the side for the cable, but I have now seen a smaller version that is like a wrench head with a breaker bar attached, much better suited for the job by the looks of things.
I since had another go at the weekend after buying a tin of Plus Gas - similar I think to the blaster you mentioned, as some products do vary between our two countries.
Sadly after it being soaked twice over a period of 24 hours it still remains sitting in there, I have found a guy that can and will do the job for me, but , sadly not before Saturday.
Having a dodgy arm and large hands I am some what restricted for movement in that tight space but I gave it my all and I saddened by my defeat.
Oh well I do have other jobs I can do, one of which is a broken drivers door handle, which is another fiddly job.
The handle is good it's the hole that holds the connecting rod for the door latch that is broken, but I can't find any way to fix it, so ordered another handle.

Thanks Sean

P.s I also wish I was more local :)