How to Replace the Oxygen Sensor in a Buick Rendezvous
by Dan Ferrell
Trying to replace the oxygen (O2) sensor in your Buick Rendezvous is not a difficult task, as long as you approach the job with the correct strategy. Oxygen sensors work mounted on the exhaust system, under high temperatures. This causes them to tend to almost weld to the pipe or manifold, which can turn an inexpensive replacement into an expensive repair. Still, this is a job you can accomplish with a few simple tools and a few minutes in your own driveway.
Removing the Oxygen Sensor
Step 1
Drive your Rendezvous for 20 minutes on the highway, to bring the engine up to operating temperature. Drive home, and park on level ground. Raising the exhaust system temperature will make it easier to unthread the oxygen sensor.
Step 2
Open the hood, and locate the primary oxygen sensor, mounted on the exhaust manifold, near the front exhaust pipe that connects to the manifold. Locate the secondary oxygen sensor, at the rear of the catalytic converter. The converter is the rectangular metal box, between the front and rear exhaust pipes.
Step 3
Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield with a ratchet, short ratchet extension and socket, if you have a 3.5-liter engine model.
Step 4
Raise the front of your vehicle with a floor jack, and support it on two safety stands, if you need better access to the O2 sensor on your particular Buick model. Apply the parking brakes, and install a chock against each of the rear wheels, to keep the vehicle from rolling.
Step 5
Put on your goggles; get under the vehicle, and unplug the oxygen sensor electrical connector. Detach the sensor electrical connector, by hand, from the clip that secures the connector away from the exhaust pipe, if you have the 3.5-liter engine model.
Step 6
Unfasten, and remove, the sensor, with an oxygen sensor socket and a ratchet.
Installing the New Oxygen Sensor
Step 1
Coat the threads of the new sensor with anti-seize compounds, but do not get any compound on the tip of the sensor.
Step 2
Thread the new sensor, finger tight, and tighten the sensor to 30 ft-lbs. (41 Nm), with a torque wrench and the oxygen sensor socket.
Step 3
Plug in the sensor electrical connector.
Step 4
Attach the sensor electrical connector, by hand, to the clip, to secure it away from the exhaust pipe, if you have the 3.5-liter engine model.
Step 5
Lower your Rendezvous off the safety stands, and remove the chocks from the rear wheels.
References
- "Chilton General Motors Mechanical Service"; Chilton Automotive Books; 2005
- "Modern Automotive Technology"; James E. Duffy; 2003
Tips
- Although it is a common tool, not many drivers own a torque wrench. However, many auto parts stores have this and other special tools available to rent.
Things You'll Need
- Ratchet
- Short ratchet extension, if necessary
- Socket, if necessary
- Floor jack, if necessary
- 2 safety stands, if necessary
- 2 chocks, if necessary
- Goggles
- Oxygen sensor socket
- Anti-seize compound
- Torque wrench
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
