SILVERFOX
Clean o2 sensors?
Hey I'm wondering if it's possible to clean my o2 sensors with some electrical contact cleaner and some sort of soft cloth/cotton tips or the like? The cars done 110,000 k's, it's a VY Ecotec. I can't really afford new ones atm and would appreciate replies from any of you that have successfully done this, or has anyone done it and found that it doesn't work? Thanks. I would have thought that the removal of the black carbon build up would see some sort of economic and power gains.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Not sure about cleaning them, but you can get cheap used (but working) ones from wreckers for the time being. That's what I did. : )
you could clean them but the thing is, with O2 sensors they either work or they dont.
SILVERFOX
Thanks Dyson but mine are ok the car runs fine and that it's just that fuel economy and power seem slightly worse than when the car had fewer k's on it and the o2's are the only thing that I havn't touched yet.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
SILVERFOX
So if there is a build up of carbon on them, they will still give an accurate reading?Originally Posted by r_i_d_a_h
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
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You can't clean them, the sensors are very sensitive and spraying solvent on them will just land you with a dead sensor.
It's not true that they either work or don't, they degrade over time and give less accurate/responsive readings as they age. They can be well and truly shot before the ECU starts complaining about them.
You can pick up good sensors on eBay for about $50 each. The Ecotec needs two. Depending on how bad your current sensors are and how much you drive, you could see return on investment in less than 3 months (assuming 400kms a week with 2L/100 saved). These are one of the few items you can buy for your car that end up saving you money.
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SILVERFOX
Ok Danja thanks for that. Do you reckon 110,000 k is time to install new ones?
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Exhaust Guru
Yep, they wear out just like everything else.
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They'd probably be getting on, you'd almost certainly notice the difference. Useful lifespan is generally quoted as between 100,000 - 150,000km.
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SILVERFOX
Thanks guys I'll look into changing them soon.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
on holiday
70000-100000km is a lot for O2 sensors will be getting pretty tired
I tune the oldschool way fear on the passengers face and knuckle colour cant go wrong
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I just tried to clean my O2 sensors. I dont think I ever get a check engine light but I never touched the sensors till now. Ive had the car since 47k and its at 111k now. Figured maybe if I cleaned them the car may run better. I guess well see what happens. Do you think the gas mileage will get better, will the car run better?
SILVERFOX
Did you use electrical contact cleaner? I'm very interested to see how successful this was for you.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
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This thread is quite a good read on the subject:
can you clean oxygen sensor? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
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SILVERFOX
Well having read that, I think I'll give cleaning them a miss and wait until I've got some spare dosh to buy some new ones!!!!
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Donating Member
Yer mate sometimes you just have to go new
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm" Sir Winston Churchill.
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