Doing an exhaust swap (OEM off, including cat) and I'm stuck at the O2 sensor. Everything else is ready to come off. Its an 07 with 12,000 miles on it and one winter.

I soaked the threads in WD40 for about 2 hours, and lacking a 22mm wrench I went at it with some vice grips and many whacks with the hammer. Didn't budge, and the head started to strip a little so I stopped.

Any advice from here?

 

torch it and use either a wrench that fits or an oxygen sensor socket. or if all else fails, u may need to buy another sensor. id say heat will work with that few miles. before reinstall, antiseize the threads

 

got a torch on it, on off 30 seconds about 5 times now. no dice. any reason the O2 sensor isn't lefty-loosey? should i be turning the other direction?

 

No it's not the other way. Left is out..mines been in and out for the past week. Tryin to solve an issue

 

Get some PB blaster. It works way better than WD 40. You can also use 7/8 wrench if you have one. I use the dual wrench technique if I can't get mine out (hook another wrench onto the end of the first and use leverage to my advantage)

 

PB it is.

 

I don't know why people bother with WD-40 to remove bolts. PB blaster and the longest wrench you can find is your best bet.

 

Lesson learned for sure. PB blaster will be my go-to for all things rusted/stuck in the future. I used it in the past with my Integra and not sure why I reached for WD40 this time around.

30 seconds of the blue wrench at four corners around the sensor, and then a healthy dose of PB blaster once it cooled off, then a few good whacks on the wrench and I had it free. Thanks for the pointers folks.

 

next time get the proper wrench.

 

THIS.

I have removed approximately 40 or so O2 sensors on the S2000 alone and never once have I had to use a penetrant. Just a regular proper sized wrench and a mallet to give it a little tap.