Thursday, December 26, 2013

DIY Oxygen Sensors on 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster

The Z3 made its first appearance in the U.S. in the 1996 model year with only a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. In 1997, BMW added in an optional 189-horsepower, 2.8-liter in-line six-cylinder engine to complement its standard 138-horsepower, 1.9-liter engine. The base-level four-cylinder on the 1997 Z3 uses two oxygen sensors, one before the catalytic converter and one after it. These oxygen sensors are responsible for keeping close tabs on the air-to-fuel ratio and harmful exhaust emissions, by testing the oxygen density in the exhaust system. Replacing the 1997 Z3s oxygen sensors is a straightforward task that most DIYU mechanics can complete with relative ease.

Instructions

Removal

    1

    Lift the front of the Z3 with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

    2

    Crawl under the center of the vehicle and find the catalytic converter the muffler-like object just after the exhaust goes from two pipes to one pipe. The upstream oxygen sensor is screwed into the exhaust pipe just before the catalytic converter and the downstream sensor if screwed into the pipe just after the catalytic converter.

    3

    Trace the failed oxygen sensors wiring upward until you find where it connects to the vehicles main wiring . Unplug the sensors wiring harness from the Z3s wiring harness. Pull the oxygen sensors wiring from the routing clips. Remove the failed sensor, using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket. Repeat this step for the other sensor, if needed.

Installation

    4

    Apply a thin coat of an anti-seize compound to the new oxygen sensors threads. Use caution not to get any anti-seize on the tip of the sensor. Thread the new sensor into its respective hole in the exhaust pipe by hand.

    5

    Tighten the oxygen sensor to 37 foot-pounds using the torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket.

    6

    Route the oxygen sensors wiring upward toward the Z3s wiring harness, pressing the wiring into its routing clips as you go. Plug the oxygen sensors wiring harness into the Z3s harness.

    7

    Repeat steps 1 through 3 to install the other oxygen sensor, if you removed it.

    8

    Raise the vehicle off of the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

No comments:

Post a Comment