[Dr K]

Replacing Bank 1 Sensor 1 (driver's side) sensor. Got sensor unscrewed easily but the wire goes up over the engine held in place by 3 clips (easy) but then down under very tight pipes and wires before going back up to the very rear of the car, just inside the trunk lid. I can't get the old sensor out through that tight area, and can't imagine getting the new on in. I have removed ONLY the tire--do I need to remove more? I doesn't seem like removing things other than those metal pipes would make much difference.

I'd appreciate any advice. Currently the old sensor is in the car but not attached at either end, waiting to be removed (of course I could cut the wire and just pull out, but then I've lost the tight path to put the new one through).

Thanks in advance.

Peter

[Roo]

Not sure this would work in your situation....
Use the old O2 cable as a pull string
Cut the old O2 cable at the O2 sensor
Tape/tie the new O2 connector to the cut end of the old O2 sensor cable
Ensure to tape over the open connector so it doesn't catch on everything on its journey
Vewwy carefully pull/push the new cable up along the path of the old cable.

[cmartin]

Did you see this?

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...placement.html

[Dr K]

Chip: Not enough room to pull through.
Chris: Yes, I saw that but it's the passenger side and doesn't have that same dip through the tight area. Also, the author has his side mufflers removed, but I don't think that will help in my case because of sheet metal behind them.

Still at an impasse. Considering just running along the top of the engine.

[cmartin]

From another post

Just kidding, don't do that. You might find, though, that you have greater access to the O2 sensors if you do one or a combination of the following: removing rear bumper (properly and without a sledgehammer), removing the heat shield, removing or repositioning the air box, repositioning catalytic converters, or repositioning the engine. Use your own discretion and be realistic about whether you have proper tools and experience to move things around.

I'm a fan of putting things back the way they went together unless you are sure your new method wont be in the way of something else.

[Dr K]

The 9A1 engine is now 10 years old. SOMEBODY has got to have changed the O2 sensor...and know the secrets.

Removing the bumper might work. I looked at the heat shield, cat, exhaust - none of those will seem to make the necessary space, and I don't think the bumper cover will either but I'll look at that tonight. Removing the engine would probably work. So would taking it to the dealer or Intersport but I'm not ready to do either of those things yet.

[cmartin]

The 9A1 engine is now 10 years old. SOMEBODY has got to have changed the O2 sensor...and know the secrets.

they have, the secrets are in the notes provided. Might not like the answer, doesnt mean its fake news. You could just do it the old fashioned way, start taking it apart until you figure it out. Then you can post the secrets.

[Dr K]

Chris, not sure I understand what you're saying. "Notes provided" - do you mean try taking things apart or is there some place you've seen this. I need to get the car back together by tomorrow and would really appreciate some help. Taking things apart to figure this out is something I don't have time to do, especially since I know I'll mess something up which will add 4 hours to the job. It would be great if someone had done this and suggested a solution rather than trial and error.

[BlackTalon]

I believe cmartin is referencing the info in the rennlist thread he provided a link for.

[Dr K]

Ahhh. Yes, but the passenger side is a much simpler path than the driver's side. There's the rub. Prior to asking Dorkiphus, I'd followed that thread hoping the driver's side was a mirror image and while it's similar, it's similar except for the part that runs under and between those pipes.

I agree with Chris - Porsche very likely had a reason for putting the wire that way. But if I can't find the answer, I'm going to go across the tip, tidy up with zip ties, and hope for the best. Perhaps in the future I'll need to run it properly (or replace the then-defunct incorrectly-wired sensor and run it properly, or take it to a P-car shop...).

Peter

Peter