About three weeks ago I got a ses light it was O2 slow response bank 1 S1. So considering they are only a year old I didn't want to replace them. This is what I did, I pulled them (Bank1 Sensor 1&2) out and cleaned them with starting fluid and reinstalled them on oppisite sides just in case the one went again I would be able to tell where to start (actual sensor or something wrong on that bank like fuel, plugs ect.)


Been three weeks and no problems I think it was just a little buildup on there that was messing it up. Comments ?

 

There is another problem besides the O2 sensors. O2 sensors don't just go bad. There is always a reason. The only times they do go bad is if you use aftermarket O2's (junk.) It's always a good idea to use the OEM ones.

 

ACDELCO ONLY. I learned my lesson there. And I think the problem was just some carbon build up on it.

 

So its safe to clean them? Im worried i may hurt them worse if ido.

 

cleaning will make them worse, gotta but new ones to fix any problems

 

I don't know honestly. But its been over three weeks and no code. I drive it daily so if there was still a problem I would think that it would have surfaced by now.

I have been watching the read outs on autotap and they look normal.


BOW94Z. Do you have any proof that it will make it worse?

 

no i dont have proof, ive read many threads about this through searching....anyways you are not suppose to touch the 02 sensor ends, therefore i dont think its a good idea to put some cleaner on them.

 

What did you "clean"? The part you can see is simply a metal shield, with some slots to let exhaust enter and reach the sensor membrane. The sensor element is inside the shield. Cleaning the shield will accomplish nothing. Not sure how you could even clean the internal membrane without damaging it.

 

All you can do is clean the outside, like Injuneer said, which does nothing unless it's so dirty that no exhaust can get inside. Simply put, all an O2 sensor basicly is is a ceramic cone inside of that shield. If it gets plugged, then you have problems, but there is no way to clean the pores of the ceramic.

 

I cleaned the outside and fins real good and then put a tip on the starting fluid and flushed it through every fin.


Maybe your right it don't work or can't but so far I'm thinking otherwise.


I'll post if anything changes

 

Don't mean to take over your thread but do you guys think that Bosch sensors are any good. Seems like a good brand to me and I get a military discount at autozone. My car is almost 10 years old so I'm thinking of just replacing them when I do my plugs and wires next week.

 

No. Go OEM through GMPartsDirect.com. They're $30 a piece or so. You will have nothing but problems with the anything else.

 

Update! Still no code guys. I have been watching them on a graph w/autotap and they look fine. Either the cleaning worked or

 

Still all good no more "slow responce" code. Been over 3 months, I think that speaks for its self.

If we learned anything here its simply don't run and buy new ones try it you have nothing to lose.




The guy that said its something else O2's just dont go bad...um yes they do what could cause a slow responce from the O2 besides the O2

 

I have cleaned mine with a tourch befor it it worked (they where all dirty from a bad plug)

Also i heard of a guy that hit one with a wrench and ti started working.

Maybe you just had a short in urs or something, but the next time mine go bad i will be trying to clean them again.

BTW how do your LT and ST fuel trims look?