usually they area 22 mm, (gm guy) and most will come off with a wrench, use some jb weld.

 

jb weld? to get an o2 sensor out? you mean wd40 or PB Blaster? oh, and you should get an o2 sensor wrench. its basically a socket, but it has a slit along one side for the wires to go. that will help keep it from stripping out.

[IMG]local://upfiles/436/36F635655582414EAFB0679B669B6B56.gif[/IMG]

 

I wish I didn't have to get the tool for it since people don't usually change their O2 sensors that often, but if there's no getting around it, then I'll get before the weekend. I just have to buy 10 more EGs with O2 sensor problems so I could wear out the thing. I might use the socket for another car if I could. Is it universal?

 

Just installed a new O2 sensor on the car. I'll keep you guys posted on the consumption. If it's still 24 mpg, then I'll need more help. Thanks again, guys.

 

I'm at half from a tank now, and I'm at 145 miles travelled. It seems like there's no change after installing the new O2 sensor. I know I have to replace that thing sooner or later, anyway, but I really want to get the fuel economy the D15B7 is known for. Now I'm back to square one with the investigation.
I recently asked one old mechanic that my dad knows for help, but in the end, I didn't trust him. Anyone who says that my economy is fine when it's obviously not, that I should cut up an AEM CAI so it'll be an SRI because SRIs supposedly give out more HP, and that I should replace my engine with a Toyota 2TG engine (circa 1970) isn't someone whose opinions I value. Oh... He's not MY mechanic, BTW; I might not be a gearhead, but I ain't dumb.
Anyway, I'll have the timing checked and I'll be replacing the air intake with an UNCUT AEM CAI this weekend. Hopefully, that it'll bring this baby back to good; if not, then I guess I'd just have to live with it--unless you guys still have more ideas.

 

How's the progress on the fuel economy? Was the fuel filter and pcv valve changed? Did you check the fuel lines for small leaks? Maybe a small leak in the tank? Then again maybe it's the type of gas your using? Some people say that all gas is the same, but I have experienced this to be untrue. There is a particular gas station I go to that I know will get good fuel economy.

 

From all that I've learned so far about fuel economy, it seems that peak mileage occurs somewhere between 40-60 mph. So if you're cruising at 25 a lot, you may not be maximizing your mileage on the streets.

 

Well, for the most part, the AEM CAI increase the mpg considerably, so I'm guessing that the intake has something to do with most of the decrease. I also tried Chevron gas in combination with the AEM CAI, and for the last fill-up, I got 34 mpg. Right now, I went to try cheapo gas (so cheap, they don't even have a name for their station), and I could definitely tell the difference in mpg; I'm expecting to get 30 mpg this time around. But still, that's better than getting 24 mpg. I'll try to go for a compromise between price and quality; there's no way I could make filing up in Chevron gas painless for me. Any gas station recommendations in the CA Bay Area, anyone?
I haven't changed the fuel filter or the pcv valve yet since the previous owner did it as part of the 120000-mile maintenance (it's 122000 right now). When should I replace those again? As far as I know, there's no leak in the fuel lines because it passed the smog test and I don't smell any gas when the car's running, but how do I officially check for those? What's the preventive maintenance schedule for the fuel lines?
I take the freeway whenever I could; I would probably say I'm mostly a highway driver, so there shouldn't be a problem with me getting more out of a full tank of gas.
I'm kinda replacing one part after another in this car; by the time it gets to the next tune-up, I would've replaced everything I need to replace aside for the oil. I'll keep you posted with the gas station comparison.