[whtvenom96]

1996 Mustang Cobra, 103,000 miles.

A few months ago my check engine light came on and the guys at Autozone told me that their code reader said that the problem was 'right bank lean' and I most likely need to replace my Oxygen Sensors.

Does anyone know of an online tutorial for this process? Is this a job that requires a trip to the mechanic? Any tips for where to get started or the location of the sensors to start with?

My gas mileage has not suffered and my car doesn't have any other problems...Just that check engine light.

THANKS!!!

[ronaldlew2002]

would recommend replace both oxygen sensor bank 1 and 2 then reset the code.you may need to lift the car in the air to replace the sensors,not hard to do,just unplug the sensor unscrew it out and replace it with the new sensor. i replace oxygen all the time at work.

[CobraBoy]

replace both of them. not just one.

[paperchasn365]

it always handy to have a 02 sensor socket and the correct size wrench. the socket comes in handy because the risk of stripping the 02 sensor is worth the hassle. its only a few dollar tool if you dont have one. and its probably the upstream sensors that need replacing. soak them overnite too

[lxarlo]

Originally Posted by paperchasn365

it always handy to have a 02 sensor socket and the correct size wrench. the socket comes in handy because the risk of stripping the 02 sensor is worth the hassle. its only a few dollar tool if you dont have one. and its probably the upstream sensors that need replacing. soak them overnite too

a 7/8ths box wrench works too.

[CobraBoy]

yeah i was just about to say why would you go buy a 15 dollar tool when you have tools all over your garage that will do the same job? lol

[paperchasn365]

well anyone asking to if they should take it to a mechanic for 02 sensors must not be that inclined. and just because your good with a box wrench doesnt mean he is. And i was offering some good experience by saying, having the proper socket will save the hassle of not stripping the sensor and having to take it to a mechanic anyways. them things are a dog to get out if they've been there for a long time.

[CobraBoy]

Originally Posted by paperchasn365

well anyone asking to if they should take it to a mechanic for 02 sensors must not be that inclined. and just because your good with a box wrench doesnt mean he is. And i was offering some good experience by saying, having the proper socket will save the hassle of not stripping the sensor and having to take it to a mechanic anyways. them things are a dog to get out if they've been there for a long time.

they aren't hard to break loose. just need a tight fitting wrench and some muscle

[bocobra]

What a coincidence. My check engine light came on at about 103000 miles. Code indicated a probable O2 sensor issue. The repair was quick and easy. Hopefully that is all that it was.
My Cobra was still running fine but I performed the replacement anyway.

[bocobra]

Originally Posted by bocobra

What a coincidence. My check engine light came on at about 103000 miles. Code indicated a probable O2 sensor issue. The repair was quick and easy. Hopefully that is all that it was.
My Cobra was still running fine but I performed the replacement anyway.

Like a dummy I only replaced one (on the driver's side). It was quick and easy. About a month or two later the check engine light came back on. Code was for the OTHER O2 sensor. It was more of a pain to replace due to the proximity of the starter. Got replaced but not before quite a few frustrating colorful words and phrases. Just not much room to maneuver under there.

[tripleblack]

All good advice. And I usually buy special tools AFTER I bust expensive parts, which is of course part of my master plan to learn ONLY from mistakes rather than good advice, LOL.

One contribution I will add: Don't try "cleaning" the O2 sensors, and buy OE Ford parts rather than aftermarket. There are some parts where the aftermarket has a lot more quality problems than the OE parts, and this is one of them.