One page says 35ft-lbs and another says 22ft-lbs. What’s the consensus? Does anyone even use a torque wrench on this?

 

I would torque to the lower value, then after a week of driving, re-torque. If it moves, then torque to the higher value.

That, or two ugga-duggas

 

In the Pacific Coast manual for a 1996 it specifies 20 Ft Lbs....and requires anti seize on the threads for easier removal next time...

 

@roninofako ugh I am not looking forward to this at all. I sprayed it with P’Blaster tonight after driving home. Hopefully tomorrow it won’t be a nightmare but based on the location I don’t see how it can go smoothly. I’ll get an O2 socket and pray!

Seeing as your an admin - do the stickers still get mailed out? I signed up for membership and filled out the Google doc with my address.

 

As far as I know, yes, but don't read too much into me being an admin...I'm a regular guy, just like you, I'm not employed by Internet Brands at all, same with cruiser54. I started as a user, was given moderator status, and over the years, became admin.

Completely voluntary, we do it because we love this community.

If you don't receive them in a timely fashion, let myself or cruiser54 know, and we can direct you from there.

FWIW the stickers have always been a hit or miss kind of thing. Some people get them no problem, some don't. It's always been a point of contention and sometimes a real PITA. But that's another story for another day lol

 

One more thing, don't waste time using the 02 socket for removal unless you want to save the sensor. I have always just used a regular deep well socket, i just cut the pigtail off and reinstall using the ugga dugga method. Definitely hit with penetrant, I would spray them daily for a week or so. If it gives you any trouble, idle the car for a few minutes and heat it up, helps to break it free.

 

I was going to buy the socket and then return it at AutoZone or wherever but I suppose you raise a good point. I can’t think of a situation where I’m going to put the old O2 sensor back in and if I really had to I could get to the mechanic without the O2 sensor wires connected. Also my girlfriend has a Wrangler so I won’t be stranded either way. NAPA had a deep O2 socket which was HEAVY and felt really tough but they wanted $30+ for it and how often am I really going to use it? They’re my local NAPA and I feel weird returning something so obviously used and returned.

I have a torch but I don’t think I want to gamble with it in that tight space while laying on my back.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't waste money on an 02 socket unless I absolutely had too. A regular deep well for removal and box end wrench to install has never failed me.

 

The harness fits through a box end wrench?

 

Renix has a 3-pin flat connector that I don't think will fit through a box end. Later years was a 4-pin square connector that might.

 

I've never used a torque wrench on an O2 sensor in my life.
Is the O2 sensor presently in the Jeep bad?

 

Standard Combination box end wrench, closed on one end, open on the other

 

Does it NEED replacing? All I've ever used on a rust free vehicle is a good long open end wrench.

 

@cruiser54 I don’t know if it needs replacing. Unfortunately, I bought the Jeep from a used car dealer and I was given zero info with regard to previous maintenance/work. There was a sticker on the windshield for when the next oil change should have been performed. I contacted that shop (in CO, I’m in NYC) and they told me that the previous owner came in for a yearly oil change. PO only put on 1k miles/yr towards the end. I gave the shop my number and asked them to give it to the previous owner because I wanted info. I haven’t heard back since.

On my last fillup, I got 12/13MPG and that includes a 105-mile drive from CT to NYC which was 90% HWY.

So I’m tackling the main things that should have been replaced by now. So far I’ve done cap, rotor, wires, plugs, oil, tx fluid (red line MT-90), ground upgrades, pass side rain leak, etc…

For $50, I would rather assume that the O2 Sensor needs to be replaced and add it to the spreadsheet.

 

Depending on which brand of O2 sensor you're putting in there you may well be putting the old one back in ........if you didn't cut the wires off .
There are a lot of useless replacement O2 sensors out there.