Last night I was investigating a rattle under the car, that turned out to be a loose heat sheild on the exhaust.. It will need to be tack welded back in place..

But while I was under there, I got the energy to finally install my new o2 sensor.

I didn't need a crowfoot tool.. just a 7/8inch open ended wrench.. my old sensor came out easily.

Now I took the 'cheap' road and experimented with the wrong part..

I couldn't get a bosch universal sensor anywhere in town, so I ended up buying a sensor from a 1988 Mustang 5.0.

It is the 3 wire kind, so I figured what the heck.. same thread pitch, etc..

Also, the cost difference at this particular parts store was 259 for the volvo sensor, and 22.50 for the Mustang sensor..

Anyway, I removed my old sensor and cut the wires, to reuse the connector.

NOTE: The bosch OEM part wires are a real pain to solder.. I didn't know if I would be able to tin them or not.

so I got out my file and filed the wires carefully until they lost their silver color and revealed copper, and finally I was able to tin them.

Then I soldered the wires to my Mustang sensor and heat shinked them all individually and one big tube over them all, and slid the heat protective sleeve over it all..

put on my anti-sieze goop, and was good to go..

I was praying that the car would start, as it was 11:30 pm, and I had to get to work this morning :)

And it did. Success.. And the service light does not come on. (RPR told me that you can't just go putting any sensor in, because the service light would come on)

I've only driven 5 miles, but I just filled up with gas, so we shall see if I get a couple miles to the gallon better milage.

I'm also going to be replacing my plug wires distributer, timing belt, and waterpump here soon, so I'm sure that won't hurt either..

but I think it was money saved.. 23 bucks verses 260

it's stuff like that that keeps me in my volvo, and all the locals complaining that they are too expensive to own.