Does anyone know if an O2 sensor can be cleaned as an alternative to replacing them? I own a 99Z cav. and have been getting crappy gas mileage lately. I have run seafoam through the tank and through the throttle body and am about to change the plugs. I would like to change the O2's but they cost an arm and a leg.
the first o2 sensor is only like 25.00 if that the 2nd one you can find on ebay for about the same price.. or both on ebay probably less then 50. The 2nd one doesnt effect gas mileage at all so cant go wrong just by going to ur local prts store and picking up the first one.
Great advice...I appreciate that! I have heard Bosch is bad...what do you use?
Use AC Delco its what GM has been using since the 1920's its what works best and nothing else does the same job.
Okay let me get this straight.
Your CEL isnt on, at least you didnt say it was. Your car is getting bad gas mileage. Because of this your just going to start tossing parts at it.
The O2s are monitored for, switching, 7 times a second, if it isnt at least 7 times a second you will get a CEL.
So unless your CEL is on, your O2 is working.
Have you looked at your plugs, wires, air and fuel filter, PCV valve, tire pressure? Any of those have you checked or did you think of the first part that came to mind and decide to replace it?
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Rob, you sound like you know what your talking about, but DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT WE CHEAP BOYS CAN USE TO CLEAN SENSORS. Cleaning does not necessarily mean replacing, and maybe it makes him feel better if he cleans it, so he can rule out sensors. What if his CEL light bulb was BURNT (LOL)..Hey im messin...but tell the guy how to clean it since you know so much about..SENSORS!
Probably use a wire brush or some sandpaper.
no seriously, like can we use a solvent of some sort? if yes, what?
Rob S wrote:Okay let me get this straight.
Your CEL isnt on, at least you didnt say it was. Your car is getting bad gas mileage. Because of this your just going to start tossing parts at it.
The O2s are monitored for, switching, 7 times a second, if it isnt at least 7 times a second you will get a CEL.
So unless your CEL is on, your O2 is working.
Have you looked at your plugs, wires, air and fuel filter, PCV valve, tire pressure? Any of those have you checked or did you think of the first part that came to mind and decide to replace it?
FYI: The performance of the sensor does go down after time. Deposits build up over time and the readings become less accurate. Just because I have no "check engine" light doesn't mean the O2's performance hasn't gone down. Yes, I did check my intake system (cleaned it too), also, have changed the plugs. Since my car has no plugs couldn't really change those but did check the condition of the ignition system...working fine. The next logical thing is to change/clean the O2 sensor. Again, my question was..."Can you clean an O2 sensor?" and if so with what? But since Brandon Schmidt has pointed out the cost of a new one..changing it out seems more logical. Thanks
Correction: "Since my car has no plugs couldn't really change those". Meant "plug wires"
No O2 sensors can not be cleaned with anything. Did you know on the Nissan Maxima mid 90s years the people at the factory made the after cat one pointing up. Instead of the usual drilled on the side, or from the top. Now what is a by product of combustion, water, well water would get on it and it was junk. They came out with a TSB later on, but not before replacing lots of O2 sensors.
So no an O2 is not cleanable, but it is testable with a scan tool.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Rob S wrote:No O2 sensors can not be cleaned with anything. .
actually u can.
the best way to clean an O2 seonsor is actually to burn off the deposites. wat you do is take a small (preferably butane) torch and just hit the part of the sensor that actualy protrudes into the exhaust pipem this will clean off most if not all carbon deposites.
we need more people like sunfirepower
If you try to clean an O2 sensor theres a good chance you will mess it up. They're so sensitive the wrong fuel additives can kill them. If you can find a good deal on Ebay then I'd just replace it. However, if you do have acess to a scan tool you can check it's function with that. I had an O2 sensor that didn't trigger the check engine light but when I checked it with a scan tool I noticed it's performance was significantly diminished. I took it out and It was all carboned up, a new one cost 20 bucks (but that is on a 94.)
You can't outrun the radio.
not only being a 94, but it was probably also a single wire O2 sensor, usually in our cars, the one that goes bad is the down stream heated O2 sensor, 4 wire connection which goes, and is more costly
