so i took my 2006 rx8(35000 miles) into the dealer due to a c.e.l. and they said it was the o2 sensor. not a big deal but when i brought it back in to actually get it fixed they told me they stripped the thread on the exhaust manifold and needed to replace the whole exhaust mainfold. its not really a big deal it was all under warranty but is this common? ive never had it happen on a car before. thanks for all your help.

 

Not common, but not uncommon either...

Usually home mechanics give up (try another way or use penetrating oil and time) before they damage their cars. Shops, often just break out the impact gun...

The exhaust (especially on the rotary) is incredibly hot. Two dissimilar metals (the steel sensor and the iron manifold) heat and cool at different rates. Add in the relatively fine threading and a little rust action, and you have perfect conditions for seizing....

For these reasons, it is imperative that Never-Seize is used when re-installing O2 sensors.


BTW, did you remind them: "Righty tighty; Leftie loosie" when you took it in?

 

Yeah, I've had a b*tch of a time getting the front O2 sensor out of some manifolds.
I've actually cut a few out.
I think they get put in with an impact gun, so the above-mentioned heat-cycling welds it together.

 

And the factory Robats can't put on Anti Sieze.

 

mine came of REAL easy

 

yeah the heating up and cooling down "welds" it right in there! but at least it was under warranty!

 

yea thank god for that. the bill was going to be 1506.84!

 

^oh wow that would suck haha thank god for warranty...too bad my B2B runs out in a month or so

 

what's a robat?