Both work gloves and protective eyewear can be purchased at your local hardware store, or at a large retail store such as a WalMart.
You can purchase a car jack at any auto-parts store. Speak with the sales staff and let them know the type and size of vehicle you have, so they can recommend an appropriate jack. Consider disconnecting the car’s battery before you start working on any electrical sensors, including the oxygen sensor. [3] X Expert Source Hovig ManouchekianAuto Repair & Design Specialist Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
The oxygen sensor will look something like a spark plug: roughly 2 inches (5 cm) long. One end will have a hexagon shape—for a wrench to fit over—and the other end will be threaded to screw into your vehicle. Make sure to let the vehicle cool off completely before you touch the oxygen sensor—it’s attached to the exhaust or muffler pipe, so if the pipe is hot, the sensor will be, too. [5] X Expert Source Hovig ManouchekianAuto Repair & Design Specialist Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
If you don’t already have a can of WD-40 around the house, you can purchase one at any local hardware or auto-supply store.
Make sure that the bucket or container that you choose can safely contain gasoline. Not all types of containers will be gasoline resistant. If you’re purchasing the bucket or container at a hardware store, ask the sales staff to recommend a sealable, gasoline-safe plastic.
If you’re not certain of the sensors’ wrench size, you can easily determine it by attempting to fit a medium-sized wrench over the head of the oxygen sensor. If the first wrench you try doesn’t fit, adjust the wrench size smaller or larger as necessary. Alternately, use a wrench with an adjustable opening size.
Never smoke, light a candle, or have any other type of open flame when working near gasoline.
If you’re soaking the sensors in a bucket or a container that does not have its own lid, you’ll need to find something to cover the opening with. Look for an appropriately sized lid among your pots and pans in the kitchen, or simply place a piece of plywood or a large book over the bucket opening.
In order to avoid getting gasoline on your hands, you can wear a pair of thick rubber gloves while removing the oxygen sensors from the gasoline. You can use a pair of gloves similar to those that you would use to wash dishes.
To conclude this process, use the car jack to carefully and slowly lower your vehicle. Start your vehicle and check to see if the “check engine” light is still on. It will likely have turned off; you may also notice that the cleaned oxygen sensors result in your car using substantially less gasoline.
