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#1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Wood Ridge NJ USA
Posts: 341
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![]() Is there a way to clean oxygen sensors?
I have an 88 Mustang GT that seems to fail inspection every time and the solution is always replace the dirty oxygen sensors. I was wondering if I could clean the sensors before inspection. The car sits a lot due to a busy job and two kids. Thanks in advance Chuck88
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So what if its "midlife crisis". Wife, 2 kids, busy job, "fixer upper" house, and I still have time for the Mustang!!! I Love my kids!!! |
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#2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Oviedo, FL
Posts: 992
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![]() I've tried to clean them, but they never worked right when I reinstalled them. I used Carb. cleaner.
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"Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic |
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#3 |
Moderator
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Posts: 1,001
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![]() They are NOT cleanable. The tip of the actual sensor is ceramic, and is porous. Therefore, if you try to spray any sort of cleaner in there, it will make the sensor ineffective. Think of trying to clean spark plugs: no good way to do it, just replace 'em.
BTW, they're good for at least 30k miles. You have something else going wrong if they don't last that long. Possibly oil fouling? Vacuum leak? Just throwing out some ideas. ![]()
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Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco ![]() |
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#4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portage
Posts: 239
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![]() While i dont know of a way of cleaning 02s while there out, i know of a product that will clean them as you drive. Try to find a dealership or private garage that sells BG products. Ask for a product called 44k, it says right on the can that it cleans 02s, cats, as well as the rest of the fuel system. I use this product at work (I work on nissans) and in my own car. It does make a difference. check out www.bgprod.com
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'95 GT convert. K&N, C&L mass air meter, Performance distributors sreamin demon coil, dyna mod, live wires, king cobra clutch, flowmaster american thunder exhaust, UPR billet adjustable shift handle, Crane Cams Fireball HI-6 box,underdrive pullies, 255lph fuel pump, UPr short throw shifter, caster camber plates, 03 cobra lower A arms, bullit suspension, cobra front brakes |
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#5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ventura, California
Posts: 8,981
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![]() O2 sensors can be cleaned, but not with cleaners. Use a propane torch. Really.
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Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local
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#6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 1998
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 3,887
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![]() Just be glad it wasn't a Lexus at the dealership. My son called me yesterday and asked if $400 for an O2 sensor was reasonable? I said not no, but hell no. He confronted the service manager who called in the mechanic.
It seemed to me that reading the computer malfunction code and then replacing a part that should be as easy as replacing a spark plug should take maybe 1/2 hour (who wants to work on a hot exhaust part?). It turned out that the part was $196 + 1 hour minimum for diagnostic work + 1 hour minimum for the install + tax on the part. Service is $110/ hr. They did credit him $60 just to shut him up. You do get top notch service from them, but you pay a lot too it seems to me. If it was me, I would have read the computer error code myself (might have had to borrow, or rent the code reader). Bought the Lexus part myself at net price ($100?) and spent the 20 minutes needed for the install. I bet I could do it for $150. Not begrudging $$$ for good work. Just seems like $400 was alot. Rev
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'66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe Last edited by Rev; 04-21-2006 at 05:37 PM.. |
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#7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Oviedo, FL
Posts: 992
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![]() There are some Honda 02's that are close to $300 for the part.
You can always save money if you do-it-yourself. But, not everyone can and not everyone wants too. You can paint your house, yourself for the price of the paint and rollers. But, not everyone wants too. Me for one. And I'll pay a professional to do it. I don't see where the charge at Lexus is excessive. They are a business and are there to make a profit.
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"Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic |
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#8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 1998
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 3,887
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![]() Gearhead, I bet if you were doing that job you would charge $200-300 at the most. We all know that part of a shop's profit lies in the "net" versus "list" price for the part. I often pay extra for OEM parts just to get the quality that usually is there. When I buy parts from a dealership, they will usually charge me their net price since I'm doing it myself.
I'm not really begrudging the dealership an honest compensation. $400 for that O2 sensor just seems excessive to me. Rev
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'66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Help - Oxygen Sensors | Sicy Stang | Blue Oval Lounge | 19 | 10-13-2003 12:46 AM |
longer oxygen sensors?? help! | coolguy620 | Windsor Power | 3 | 03-28-2002 01:21 PM |
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Whats the best way to tell if your running lean or rich? | K.C. 5.0 | Windsor Power | 9 | 09-10-2001 03:04 PM |
oxygen censors? | krepe | Windsor Power | 9 | 06-19-2001 08:59 AM |