Has anyone done this and had positive results?
Did you use throttle body cleaner?
Any points to give on the procedure? I'll check my Haynes manual for removal/installation.

I don't have a code or anything. I just thought that after the Seafoam treatment I'd make sure everything was as clean as possible (for being in an exhaust pipe).

Thanks.

 

I've done this a few times on my '85 4Runner 22re while messing with getting the TPS set correctly. I used a throttle body cleaner that specifically stated that it was safe for o2 sensors.
I just pull the o2, hold it over a rag, put the tube into the body and start washing it out tapping it every so often to knock out hunks and gunk. You might be surprised how much comes out!
It has been many months since I first did this and I haven't had any issues so far.

 

COOL! I didn't know you could clean an O2 sensor!

 

Or you could just buy a brand new OEM one from www.sparkplugs.com for about 40 bucks.

 

??? I see the -4162 for mine at $4 more than Gadget sells them for. Don't use the generics!


Past that.. I've had mixed results cleaning 'em, mostly good though, which means that I've gotten more life than normal out of them. And yes, TB cleaner would be the right thing to use.

 

Did you notice any change in MPG with cleaning the O2 sensor

 

I wish! For my vehicle, the OEM one is $100 and the universal is $53.

 

Yes, for the better. But it's more about the ECU being able to get a better read on what's going on. That will affect your mileage numbers, but also performance.


Yeah... And again, it's been shown more times than not that our vehicles don't play well with the generics, non-OEM, or universals.

 

i can believe that. hell, i bought one brand new (universal ) for $15 off of Ebay and the CEL light went off ..... for about 2 seconds of driving.
im too cheap to spend $100+ on OEM but havent tried cleaning my original, ill try it see what happens.

 

When you do this, it is a good time to pull the EFI fuse or the negative cable on your battery. I do the cable since I don't even have so much as a stereo in my old dog so I don't need to worry about losing any presets.
This will allow the ECU to reset and relearn from the new readings from the clean o2. It will definitely effect fuel economy IMO since if it is dirty it should tend to read lean which in turn will make the ECU crank up the fuel rate, which gets more carbon building up on the o2, which should result in the o2 reporting lean conditions, which makes the ECU crank up the fuel rate...you see how it can start spiralling downwards.
Just an opinion.

 

I finished cleaning up the O2 sensor a little while ago. I seemed lightly coated with carbon and none of the holes were plugged. I just sprayed TB cleaner on it and wiped it down. I thought about getting a toothbrush to go into the holes, but decided against it...don't know about the sensitivity of the sensor behind the holes. Anyone know if this could/should be done? I pulled the - battery cable as suggested, too.

We'll see what happens.

 

Cleaning the O2 sensor can be hit & miss. It's not a part that is _supposed_ to be able to handle solvents. The elements inside that react with the exhaust gases (and end up producing the voltage that the ECU needs) can become brittle. Throwing a solvent on them can hasten that process.

You'll know more about your results in this tankfull. If things turn out "bad", then as you spend the $90/$140, remember that you were on borrowed time anyway.

 

$100 dollars! holy crap! stop the presses!

thats realtively cheap considering its function. its a damned important sensor that should last at least 100k. how many times do you want to crawl under it? First time my CEL came on it was an O2 code. So I got under there to check it out and found that the previous owner had installed one of those universal jobs. One of the wires had fallen out of the butt connectors (if it was me it would have been solder... jeez). Instead of wasting my time by removing and re-wiring the sensor (which would have take a half hour) I just purchased a new one from the dealer for about $85 (I get wholesale). I haven't had to touch it since.

This truck is my daily driver. I NEED it to survive. I feel I would only be cheating myself if I didn't fix it to the highest condition I can afford.

I pity da foo who use cheap parts.