O2 Sensor Cleaning

[Indigent]

I know there are writeups on cleaning the throttle body, tps, maf, etc., but I haven't seen anyone talk about cleaning their O2 sensor. I cleaned one on a Pontiac Grand Am I had a few years ago. You basically just soak it in gas for an extended period of time and shake it around. The gas can break up the crap inside.

 

Anyone heard of or tried this?

[Precise1]

I know 88pathoffroad removed his and 'cleaned' it with a torch. Seems to me the soaking method should do something also.

 

B

[MY1PATH]

I just replace it every 60k

[94extreme]

I know 88pathoffroad removed his and 'cleaned' it with a torch. Seems to me the soaking method should do something also.

 

B

oh, it will do something, for sure, i just doubt it'll actually clean the o2.

[88pathoffroad]

Meh, it was an idea I got from my uncle and a few other websites. The idea is that the clean propane flame and controlled heat helps eliminate excess crud inside. I have no idea if it helped or not, lol. The method I used was to remove the O2 sensor, then using a propane torch heat the tip to just about red-hot; try to keep it at that color for about 15 seconds before letting it cool a bit. A final brush-off and blow-off and a reinstall is the rest.

 

I'm unsure about soaking O2 sensors in any kind of solvents, I wouldn't try it. They're not designed to be dunked in liquid, they're designed to react with hot gases.

[Kingman]

From experience, dunking one in liquid results in being $120 further into the hole.