Lambda Sensor/catalyst Change?

[top_driver]

I’m in a bit of confusion and frustration at the moment had my car at a garage to have what is supposed to be an easy job of a lambda sensor change but they say to me that in order to change it I need a more costly catalytic converter change too because the sensor is seized I don’t buy that i need to change anything other than sensor does anyone know if this is possible

[douglas9401]

It is possible in theory TD but the constant heating/cooling/condensation often leads to major problems moving them.
The tend to shear off when coaxed, even after a good soaking with release agent.

[top_driver]

The problem I’m having is that I also think they put no real effort in there was no sheering off or anything by what they said they “afraid” of the chance of it breaking I may get a socket and try myself with some desolving solution

[sddsddean]

Had a similar thing on my truck a few weeks ago. Had to change a NOX sensor, which screws into the exhaust pipe just before the silencer/cat convertor. It is really exposed down there...just behind the front wheel, so gets covered in spray and muck from building sites and quarries. Thought it was going to be a real problem. Two nights I liberally sprayed it with WD40 and when I came to unscrew it I just put a ring spanner on it, gave it a tap with a hammer, and it unscrewed a treat! Sounds like you are dealing with the malaise of most garages now...don't try and repair it, charge the earth and change it!

[tonyav]

I have changed a few over the years, they are always stiff to undo ( extreme heat and then cooling and rust ) but like sdd i have always managed to undo them after a soaking with releasing fluid.

[top_driver]

Ok So it worth giving it a few sprays and giving it a tug I may try it tomorrow

[tonyav]

Yeah, give it a go.

[top_driver]

I reviewed my dash cam tonight which automatically records when ignition is turned on it was not brought into the garage at all it only turned on when they came to drop the car to me

[tonyav]

Ohhhh, shady garage t-d.

[top_driver]

Ye definitely now do not trust them the other day when it was in the garage I saw bonnet open in some recordings but didn’t see any movement around the car but today for sure it didn’t go inside the garage

[tonyav]

Have a crack at it yourself, when you spray it with releasing oil leave it for about an hour to give it a chance to run down the threads of the lambda sensor and believe it or not give it a bit of a tighten first and then untighten it ( always seems to work when releasing fluid has been used ).

[top_driver]

I will give it a try I hope it won’t be too difficult to access with just the jack. Any other tips. If I can’t access it I will bring to another garage and hope I get a better service

[tonyav]

You should be able to access it, it's always on the downpipe from the exhaust manifold. You may have to get it from underneath the car though.

[top_driver]

My diagnostics kit says bank 2 behind catalytic converter I think it the one under the car just have to make sure it an e46 330ci

[top_driver]

I was supposed to separate I have to make sure and e46 330ci with a full stop haha

[tonyav]

Even so you should be able to access it, put the car up on ramps if you have some.

[top_driver]

I have just a jack and 2 axle stands

[tonyav]

You'll be ok with the axle stands.

[top_driver]

Ok I will give it a go soon as I get a bit of dry haha not fully confident but I got a new socket today may as well try it out haha

[tonyav]

You maybe better off using a ring spanner, td.
Anyhoo I hope the weather holds out for you, best of luck.

[top_driver]

I will research that one I’m not good with names ha and I’m meant to be doing a degree in mechanical engineering