O2 Sensors -- Replacing on '06 V6

[mwebster22]

My daughter's 2006 with the V6, ~170,000 miles, has thrown a P0171 code. She lives about 8 hours away. At this mileage, and since she will need to drive it for many more years, and since it's in really good shape, I think I'll throw oxygen sensors at it; trying to avoid taking it to a mechanic. I'm headed her way in about a month so will do then. Then will clear the code and cross my fingers....

My research shows that the two upstream sensors (Denso 234-9051) and the downstream left is Denso 234-4261 and downstream right is 234-4260.

Tips/tricks/advice?

 

[Warwicke36]

Flex head 3/8 ratchet with an O2 socket. Do the passenger side from inside the engine bay looking down on it. Do the driver's side through the wheel well. They kinda suck but this is how I did mine.

 

[TheThreeFs]

I would stick with oem

 

[freshedie92]

Personally I had P0172, which is a code for passenger side. But mine had 400+ kmi according to carfax.

I also suspected head gasket, and had it repaired.
My fix was a $200 used oe intake manifold with cat. I went ahead and replaced o2 sensor but my research says that wasn't necessary.

What I would do is check the temperatures of your cats on the driver side bank inlet and outlet. Post them here, and also you can compare with whats on youtube for what it should be. I purchased a cheap thermometer from harbor freight. basically the inlet should be lower than outlet.

Also if your not from Ca cats are inexpensive. Keep your old one and see if it can be saved with cleaning/degreasing.

Lastly, I had luck with my chevy volt by just deleting the code. It never came back and i got it for a steal thanks to that.

 

[WMU53]

Could be an exhaust leak. Mine was. Took the shop vac and blew the exhaust air into the tail pipe. Leak existed where the headers join the exhaust. Did not repair just allowed this situation to exist as it shuts down all VSCs of the vehicle. Perfect for winter driving. Spin tires, etc.