The saga continues with my 95 dakota. (5.2 2wd)

I replaced the fuel pump last weekend, and all was good for exactly one week, and the engine is suddenly running really rough. It happens hot or cold, but does diminish somewhat after it's warmed up. I replaced the cap, rotor, plugs and wires since an inspection showed that would be good to do no matter what, but that didn't fix the problem. The plugs were all in good shape.

The engine makes a chugging sort of sound now where you can seem to hear each cylinder fire. Standing in front of the truck it doesn't seem bad, and goosing the throttle this way would have you thinking it's running smooth, but inside the truck it's another matter. Sometimes it doesn't seem too bad, but it's immediately noticeable once you start moving. Spraying brake cleaner around the vacuum line connections and the TB made no difference.

I decided to replace the O2 sensor just on the principle that everything else is very old, (I know it doesn't affect cold running) but I can't get the darn thing off! Plus, the only crows foot I have that fits (7/8) wants to round it off, so I can't try too hard.

Questions:
1: what is the correct size wrench for the stock sensor? Any tips for getting this sucker loose? I hate that I can barely get to it. Damn American manufacturing!

2:Given this happened so suddenly, any suggestions for what I should try next?

3: speaking of that, I wanted to try disconnecting the injectors one at a time to see if I can determine if a particular cylinder(s) are doing this, but I can't tell how to safely unclip them. I've got a bad back, so I can't lean close enough to get a good look at them.

This has been a fun couple of weeks since I have a fractured vertebrae and I'm having to climb over/under the truck trying to get it working again! It's the only vehicle we have at the moment. Any help would be appreciated!

 

On the O2 sensor put a torch to the pipe, cut the wire off and put a box end wrench on it.

 

Interesting idea, but the transmission is on one side of it, and the frame on the other. Only way I'm getting to it is blind with a crow's foot. Should be able to torch it though.

I should have mentioned that there are no codes being thrown either.

 

LOL just imagine how much worse it would be to get to if it was wasn't an USA vehicle.

Just get a O2 socket. Buy and new one and you can match up the size with a wrench if you wanted to.

 

could also take a day to plan on not going anywhere and the pervious night spray the hell out of it with pb blaster maybe 2 or 3 times before bed and then once before you go to tinkerin with it. it oughta help. now as far as pullin the injector wires off its just wiggle it alil bit and pull it straight back it should come off fairly easy

 

Gave up on the o2 sensor. It's not the problem anyway, and it's just not possible to get a socket wrench on it. On top of that a crows foot won't stay on well enough. bear in mind that this is being done outside in the yard with just enough room to get under the truck.

Anyway it's missing on Cylinders 3 and 8, and sometimes another that I can't pin down. It's 40 degrees and windy outside, so I'm not spending too much time on it at one go. Looks like they are getting power like they should, but I haven't tested the injectors themselves yet.

Re the clips, I though I could see hooks on either side, but the last thing I need to do is break one of the connectors based on what I can barely see. Just wanted to make sure, thanks!

Enter rant:
We've been under severe financial stress as a result of lay-offs, and this was going to be the first month we'd see money left in the bank account at the end of the month! Grrr. End rant: