Joe,
  I didn't believe this one until I tried it...and it worked.  You said
you've tried heating it.  Well, try heating it again...only this time have
a basic candle (you know,  the little left over ones from a birthday cake
that take up space in your kitchen drawer) make sure the wax can contact
the thread area. (sharpen the ugly one your wife never uses, but can't
throw out because it was a gift)  Anyway.....heat up the socket area for
the sensor, really hot, (technical ,huh?) then move the torch and jam the
candle onto the heated area. (careful, it melts fast, so don't slip into
it).  The wax will melt and be drawn into the threaded area, much like
solder wicking around wire.  Let it cool just enough to work on it.Then it
should come out.
  I think I read this on a 4x4 site and kept it in my mind because I
thought it was absurd, but it has worked for me......
  Good Luck,
     Dan

----------
> From: Joe L. <jliasse@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Can't get the %&#*!!! OFF!
> Date: Monday, June 15, 1998 9:58 PM
>
>     I am replacing the O2 sensor on my 83,5 Westy. The sensor is
origional
> and, having been there for the last 15 years has appearently decided it
will
> not come off without a fight.
>    I have already tried the "conventional " methods (penetrating oil,
> heating, etc) all have failed.  I have not yet forced the issue to the
point
> where the flats on the griping surface have rounded off and don't really
> care to put that much "beef" to it until I check in here. I had thought
of
> hack sawing it flush with the pipe, drilling out the rest of the sensor
then
> picking the remaining peices from the threads but this is a lot more work
> than I would like to do if there is a way I can avoid it.
>     Anyone out there have a "secret family reciepie" for getting these
> things off?