teppichkopf Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 Anyone have any experience or luck with cleaning O2 sensors? Came across info on using a propane torch to burn off containaments from the sensor tip. We'll see how long it takes for the CEL to trip again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon38iowa Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 Anyone have any experience or luck with cleaning O2 sensors? Came across info on using a propane torch to burn off containaments from the sensor tip. We'll see how long it takes for the CEL to trip again. My shop cleaned mine and reset the CEL,however, within a few miles the light came right back on again. Only a new sensor cured the problem. Still I think it is worth a shot to clean em first an see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86ruguy Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 there really isn't anything to clean on them. exhaust temps near the O2 sensor are hot enough the reason they go bad is from age or defects. cleaneing it doesn't actually do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 You cant clean an o2 sensor. The degrade over time from erosion, being in a very hostile atmosphere. you just replace them. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drquasievil Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Should the O2 sensor be replaced if the check engine light does not come on? Mine is 95K Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Should the O2 sensor be replaced if the check engine light does not come on? Mine is 95K Miles Sometimes, what problems are you having? nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srs_49 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Should the O2 sensor be replaced if the check engine light does not come on? Mine is 95K Miles It depends. I have a '94 Caddy which kept coming up with a failed O2 sensor code on the OBD. Actually, it was a failed O2 heater code. Some O2 sensors have a heater built into them to help them reach operating temperature quicker. If the heater circuit is not working, it may be interpreted as a failed sensor. On the Caddy, there's a ground clip that goes around the outside of the sensor housing that I assume is there to provide a solid (?) return for the heater. It's just a friction fit - no screw or clamp. I took the clip off, squeezed it smaller, cleaned up the outside surface of the O2 sensor, and put the ground clip back on. Things have been fine for the past month - no OBD codes or check engines light. Don't know if the sensors on the Subaru's are the same or not, just thought I'd pass on the info. FWIW, I wouldn't try cleaning an O2 sensor. They are very sensitive to any type of contaminate on their active surface, and trying to clean it could just exasperate the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drquasievil Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Sometimes, what problems are you having? nipper Poor gas mileage. Obviously the gas gage does not work well. (What a surprise), figure 220 miles before I fill it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91LegLS Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Should the O2 sensor be replaced if the check engine light does not come on? Mine is 95K Miles I had the original O2 sensor and had it replaced at 140K. According to my Subaru specialist, O2 sensors should be replaced every 4 years, even if it doesn't throw a CEL. I was getting 16-18 MPG but scan showed the O2 was fine, but its response time was slow but not slow enough to cause a CEL. After O2 replaced, MPG shot up to 21, in city driving, on the next fuel up. Don't bother cleaning, if you've got it out, replace it. If it fails after cleaning and you end up replacing it two months later, you won't be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubeeTed Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Hi! I came across these cheap O2 sensors on Ebay. I have NOT bought any of these. This one is a 3 wire one, they have others for Subee's. I don't know what fits on your particular Subee. I'm not shure what fits in my '97 2.5 DOHC. I know I have 2 of them. I wonder if they are any good? Just my 2 pennis, SubeeTed http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OXYGEN-SENSOR-subaru-SVX-92-97-96-95-94-93-1992-1997_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42610QQihZ014QQitemZ330085022170QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Hi!I came across these cheap O2 sensors on Ebay. I have NOT bought any of these. This one is a 3 wire one, they have others for Subee's. I don't know what fits on your particular Subee. I'm not shure what fits in my '97 2.5 DOHC. I know I have 2 of them. I wonder if they are any good? Just my 2 pennis, SubeeTed http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OXYGEN-SENSOR-subaru-SVX-92-97-96-95-94-93-1992-1997_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42610QQihZ014QQitemZ330085022170QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW BAD BAD BAD! dont make me get out the rolled up newspaper You really need the front o2 senor to be OE. Aftermarkets dont respond as quickly as OE and have in the past caused problems. The one after the cat can be generic. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubeeTed Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 BAD BAD BAD! dont make me get out the rolled up newspaper You really need the front o2 senor to be OE. Aftermarkets dont respond as quickly as OE and have in the past caused problems. The one after the cat can be generic. nipper Thanks for stopping me from my own stupidity Nipper! Now on my '97 2.5 DOHC. Is it the 3 wire I need for the front one? Many thanks, SubeeTed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petersubaru Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 importecparts.com....they have what you need and also OE with the correct fasteners...those ebay item sure look poor... Thanks for stopping me from my own stupidity Nipper! Now on my '97 2.5 DOHC. Is it the 3 wire I need for the front one?Many thanks, SubeeTed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.