I wrote a piece for this list years ago on how to remove stuck
nuts/bolts of all sorts. I won't re-write it here (check the archive
around 1997-1998).

Bottom line is to tap it. Friction isn't what's holding it so tight.
Ionic and covalent bonds are mating the surface of the threads on the O2
sensor with the surface of the threads of the exhaust.

By tapping it in the direction from the wire toward the base (where it
screws in), you set up a short compression wave/vibration between the
threads which eventually breaks all or most of the ionic and covalent
bonds, and the part is suddenly loose, held only by friction.

I'd tap on it with a socket and hammer for a couple of minutes. Use a
socket 1-2 mm smaller so you are tapping on the base of the sensor, and
not the exhaust system.

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
Alliance: www.ntara.com
Phone: +1.919.658.1278

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Russell Harrel
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 9:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: stuck o2 sensor and bad gas mileage

Aaaaaaahhh,  Any secrets on getting the oxygen sensor out without major
damage.  I've
soaked it with WD-40 and another product (can't remember the name) for
hours. I've
cranked to the point that something is going to break.  Any big secrets
here.  My van was
running fine on a recent trip then BAM, 10 mpg for the rest of the trip.
>From looking at
archives it looks like the 02 could be the problem??  Any other ideas?
It's
running a little
rough and rich now too.
thanks
Russ Harrel

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