Did you remove the freaking AFR sensor? VVTI 2UZ engnine

[alia176]

Like the title says, my GF and I are trying to swap out the front AFR sensors on the exhaust manifolds in her '08 VVTI 2UZ engine. Before anyone throw out any suggestions, let me hear from folks who have done this exact task. I'm guessing not many have done this project because they don't exactly go bad very often!

We're trying to avoid dropping the new Dorman exhaust manifolds but it may come to that.

Thanks.

 

[alia176]

AFR sensor removal

Ok, we got this project done. It involved cutting up a 7/8" box end wrench to the right length, then using a pipe, I hammered on the wrench. My GF held the wrench steady while I hammered and rotated it. Then, she rotated it back, rinse and repeat. Installation was the same thing but in reverse and the pipe/hammer in a different position.

She bought one of these jobber but it didn't help one bit due to the lack of space. https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-03048A...d=1494631284&sr=8-1&keywords=o2+sensor+wrench

Hope you never have to do this project but if you do, this thread should help.

 

[duffdog]

I did that, but changed all 4 sensors while I was in there. It looks like you also ripped the wires out of the connector as well. Be sure to get them in the right spots or the new sensor won't work.

I removed it using a crow-foot wrench and I don't remember it being that bad, the real problem was the wiring ( like you have ) which ripped out of the connector mounted to the back of the heads. When I put it back together I put heat resistant shrink tube on the wires and just let the connector dangle there to make it easier to take off if I had to do it again.

 

[alia176]

I did that, but changed all 4 sensors while I was in there. It looks like you also ripped the wires out of the connector as well. Be sure to get them in the right spots or the new sensor won't work.

I removed it using a crow-foot wrench and I don't remember it being that bad, the real problem was the wiring ( like you have ) which ripped out of the connector mounted to the back of the heads. When I put it back together I put heat resistant shrink tube on the wires and just let the connector dangle there to make it easier to take off if I had to do it again.

I didn't rip any wires but I did use a terminal pin tool to remove them carefully and re-configure them. Worked out well but what a terrible location. I should pickup larger size crow foot wrenches one of these days.

 

[07V8]

What was the reason for removing it?

 

[alia176]

What was the reason for removing it?

Swapped out the exh manifolds due to the cats getting damaged from fuel pump working intermittently (long story). Installed new manifolds with new O2 sensors but they were O2 sensors, not AFR sensors. Yup, they are different on the VVTI engines. So, they had to come out and we put the OEM AFR sensors back in. No more CEL codes related to the AFR sensors.