I think somebody welded the o2 sensor. What do I do? 1995 c2500

[Sam454]

I can’t get it out.

 

[Schurkey]

Three options:
1. It's not welded in place, but the rust makes it look that way. Get in there with whatever wrenches, sockets, implements of destruction you need, get angry, and twist it out. I have had to remove exhaust pipes so they can be mounted in a bigass vice for adequate access to semi-seized O2 sensors. A 6-point, deepwell impact socket makes an excellent O2 sensor removal tool...if there's any hex left on the sensor body.

2. It's either welded or totally seized. Get in there with a cutting torch/plasma cutter/die grinder and cutoff wheel, and surgically remove the thing. Weld in a patch over the hole, and weld-in a threaded bung for the next O2 sensor to screw into. O2 sensor remains in the same relative position.

3. Leave it the hell alone. Poke a hole in the pipe somewhere nearby, weld in a bung, and put the new O2 sensor into the new bung, using anti-seize. Make sure the O2 sensor is somewhere on the upper half-circle of the tube, not the lower half-circle. O2 sensor moves position, AND you've got two sensor ends close together hanging out into the exhaust stream creating restriction.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I can’t get it out.

If none of @Schurkey's suggestions appeal to you - Remove the whole pipe (cut the sensor off if it interferes with access to bolts/nuts), go to the junk yard for a replacement and install a new O2 sensor in the replacement pipe, bolt it all back up and be done. Use plenty of antisieze on all threads...

 

[Caman96]

New o2 sensors are a worthwhile endeavor.

 

[Sam454]

New o2 sensors are a worthwhile endeavor.

It’s a heated retrofit kit

 

[Sam454]

If none of @Schurkey's suggestions appeal to you - Remove the whole pipe (cut the sensor off if it interferes with access to bolts/nuts), go to the junk yard for a replacement and install a new O2 sensor in the replacement pipe, bolt it all back up and be done. Use plenty of antisieze on all threads...

How delicate are o2 sensors? I dropped it onto my wood floor

 

[NickTransmissions]

How delicate are o2 sensors? I dropped it onto my wood floor

When in doubt, swap it out...Don't pinch pennies with electronics like sensors, etc.

Were you able to get that one in the picture removed from the pipe?

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Hey @Sam454 .
I swore mine was welded in as well, but it wasn't.
Mine took soaking in penetrating oil for a few days, heated the crap out of the bung with a MAP gas torch. As my wire was extended already due to it having to go down in the header, I snipped the wire and slid the box end of the wrench over. And then a BUNCH of smacks with a 8lb sledge to get it to move.
Don't bother trying the open end of a wrench, it just spreads and pops off.
So don't be afraid to go a bit neanderthal on it.

 

[95burban]

Save the headache and have a muffler shop weld in a new bung. Leave the old one alone

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Save the headache and have a muffler shop weld in a new bung. Leave the old one alone

I will be honest..... I did look up bungs on Amazon during a "wtf break" lol