NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Al
NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors
I would appreciate any help on a problem I have been having with my 95 Corvette. I have been having one of the o2 sensors on the right side of the car go bad every 3-4 months. It appears something is causing the right side of the engine to run slightly rich, which eventually ruins the O2 sensor. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (LeadFoot)
Possibly leaking injectors on that side? Just a guess. :confused:
Is the car running okay other wise? Does it start good cold as well as warm?
Maybe a clogged cat on that side? Food for thought.
Is the car running okay other wise? Does it start good cold as well as warm?
Maybe a clogged cat on that side? Food for thought.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: College Station Tx
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (Midnite 88)
Running simply rich shouldn't kill the O2's like that. The only thing in your car that will do that is anti-freeze. It might be worth your money and time to get one of those devices put over your radiator cap that will turn color if there is exhaust/combustion gas present. I believe the Matco tool truck carries them, (maybe Mac?) and any good mechanic should.
A good bit of oil burning can also kill them, but for it to happen that quickly it would have to be ALOT, and you should notice it?
The only thing I can think of that would cause one side to run rich like that would be a exhaust leak - do you have any of those?
A good bit of oil burning can also kill them, but for it to happen that quickly it would have to be ALOT, and you should notice it?
The only thing I can think of that would cause one side to run rich like that would be a exhaust leak - do you have any of those?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (LeadFoot)
You could also pull the plugs and check their color. If one is off color from the others, there could be a problem; gasket, seal, etc. Check the oil for coolant. Check the coolant for oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (LeadFoot)
Have you done any other work on the engine recently? Such as anything to do with gasket maker(rtv) or sealants? I understand those to be harsh on o2 sensors. Maybe from upstream? :confused:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Al
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (ChrisB)
The car only has 70k and hasn't been driven hard. It isn't burning oil or antifreeze. After reading abut O2 sensors, there are two things that will kill the sensor, water and running rich for prolonged periods. It points more to fuel wouldn't you think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (LeadFoot)
Only a WAG, but if it's a heated sensor is the signal wire somehow shorting to voltage which would peg the sensor at high voltage and give a false indication of a rich condition? The next time it happens or if you want to take the time to put back in the bad sensor, read the signal wire with a DVM (at the connection). If the signal is normal; ie, swinging between high and low, then something upstream is providing voltage that is overriding the signal. My guess would be the heated wire - assuming it's a heated sensor - has shorted to the signal wire. If that's the case, check the routing of the wires and make sure they're away from any source of heat or sharp objects that could nick the wires.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (SunCr)
Here's something else I think you can do to check out the O2 Sensor while it's out of the car: Check for continuity through the heating element wires (white?). It should be good. Check for continuity between the heating element wires and the signal wire (black?). It should be infinity. If not, it's either an internal short or the wiring or the connector. If it's the wiring or the connector, heat is probably the culprit. If it's internal, who knows? Product quality?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: NEED HELP !! Keep Losing O2 Sensors (Sarkee)
Another possible WAG. Check the resistance between the sensor lead from the computer and ground using a digital multimeter. Compare it to the value measured on one of the good ones. The resistance should be very high. O2 sensors will die if they shorted or loaded with too little resistance. Check the condition of the wires leading to the sensor for chaffing also. :hat
