How to Replace the Oxygen Sensor on a 1998 S-10 V6

Your 1998 Chevy s10 came with a 4.3-liter six-cylinder and a five-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Your engine control system uses oxygen sensors that are connected to the exhaust piping that relay how much oxygen, or lack thereof, is in the exhaust as it exits the engine, and then as it exits the catalytic converter. The engine uses this information to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio to improve emissions and engine efficiency. Your S10 has three oxygen sensors, one on each exhaust manifold down-pipe, and one just after the catalytic converter.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the truck on a level surface and set the parking brake. Remove the cigarette lighter and install the memory saver into the cigarette lighter receptacle. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Loosen the battery terminal bolt, using a battery wrench, and remove the negative battery cable from the battery.

2

Lift the front of the truck into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front frame rails. Lower the truck until it rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack. Allow the exhaust to cool completely before continuing.

3

Position yourself so that you can easily access the oxygen sensor you are replacing; There is one in the exhaust pipe near the front of the transmission on the left hand side, one on the right hand exhaust next to the transmission and one behind the converter. Follow the pigtail from the sensor to the connection at the truck's wiring harness.

4

Squeeze the locking tab on the connector and separate the sensor pigtail from the wiring harness. Install the oxygen sensor socket over the sensor, making sure the pigtail sticks through the slot in the side of the socket.

5

Turn on your propane torch and heat the exhaust pipe around the oxygen sensor. Rotate the sensor counterclockwise with the oxygen sensor socket and ratchet until it can be removed from the exhaust pipe.

Installation

6

Clean the area around the oxygen sensor mating area on the exhaust with the wire brush. Apply a coat of copper anti-seize to the threads of the oxygen sensor.

7

Thread the oxygen sensor into the exhaust pipe until hand tight. Install the oxygen sensor socket over the oxygen sensor, making sure the pigtail extends through the slot in the socket. Tighten the oxygen sensor to 30 foot-pounds with the oxygen sensor socket and torque wrench.

8

Connect the oxygen sensor pigtail to the vehicle wiring harness. Pull on the sensor and harness connector to make sure they are properly connected.

9

Lift the front of the truck off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the truck to the ground. Remove the floor jack. Start the engine and monitor the service engine light. If the light remains on there is either a problem with the new sensor or the wiring harness and pigtail connection. Determine the cause and fix any fault before driving the vehicle.