Stupid Question - 02 sensors
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Stupid Question - 02 sensors
Howdy all,
Well I've been slowly bringing my '99 frc up to speed via maintenance, (plugs, wires, clutch flush, metal endlinks) and have a question regarding the 02 sensors. Are these a wear item that should be replaced? The car has about 35,000 on it. I've read that they can get lazy, does this affect performance? Would I gain anything by changing them? (and no, no codes at this time)
Thanks for answering my dumb question,
Patrick
Well I've been slowly bringing my '99 frc up to speed via maintenance, (plugs, wires, clutch flush, metal endlinks) and have a question regarding the 02 sensors. Are these a wear item that should be replaced? The car has about 35,000 on it. I've read that they can get lazy, does this affect performance? Would I gain anything by changing them? (and no, no codes at this time)
Thanks for answering my dumb question,
Patrick
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
HA!!!!!!!!!!! Very good question!
The proper way to see if the O2 Sensors are performing correctly is with data logging soft ware OR a scanner that has live sensor monitoring capability.
When they work properly, they cycle from (approx)100 millivolts to 900 millivolts to 100 millivolts............
The lazy non functional ones don't cycle and hang out at the reference voltage (450 millivolts)
So, data log and see what yours are doing or find a scanner that has LIVE SENSOR DATA and see what there doing.
I seriously doubt that yours are bad at that mileage.
BC
The proper way to see if the O2 Sensors are performing correctly is with data logging soft ware OR a scanner that has live sensor monitoring capability.
When they work properly, they cycle from (approx)100 millivolts to 900 millivolts to 100 millivolts............
The lazy non functional ones don't cycle and hang out at the reference voltage (450 millivolts)
So, data log and see what yours are doing or find a scanner that has LIVE SENSOR DATA and see what there doing.
I seriously doubt that yours are bad at that mileage.
BC
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Murrysville PA
Howdy all,
Well I've been slowly bringing my '99 frc up to speed via maintenance, (plugs, wires, clutch flush, metal endlinks) and have a question regarding the 02 sensors. Are these a wear item that should be replaced? The car has about 35,000 on it. I've read that they can get lazy, does this affect performance? Would I gain anything by changing them? (and no, no codes at this time)
Thanks for answering my dumb question,
Patrick
Well I've been slowly bringing my '99 frc up to speed via maintenance, (plugs, wires, clutch flush, metal endlinks) and have a question regarding the 02 sensors. Are these a wear item that should be replaced? The car has about 35,000 on it. I've read that they can get lazy, does this affect performance? Would I gain anything by changing them? (and no, no codes at this time)
Thanks for answering my dumb question,
Patrick
I have a 2000 vert. The engine light came on a few hours before a dyno tune. The problem was a bad sensor so I am getting both replaced ( two knock sensors under the manifold). My vert only has 17,000 miles on it and according to the tuner, its rare for a knock sensor to fail with that kind of mileage.
Yes, a lazy sensor can affect performance according to the tuner.
The cost of the sensors are around $60.00 each. You may want to consider getting them replaced especially if you do the work.
Last edited by bontrager; May 1, 2012 at 08:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
Although you think this is a silly question, one thing to keep in mind is the correct wiring pattern of the 02 Sensors. When my torque tube had to be replaced, the shop crossed them and car ran like crap and had codes. I swapped the 02 Sensors and it all went away.
Simple technique is to write 1/1 on connector/sensor and 2/2 on the other connector/sensor so you cant cross them accidentally. I used a permanent magic marker.
Simple technique is to write 1/1 on connector/sensor and 2/2 on the other connector/sensor so you cant cross them accidentally. I used a permanent magic marker.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks all for the replies. I suppose next time I drop it off for an oil change I can get my mechanic to get a reading on them to see how they are operating. I was surprised to find the original plugs needed changing with so few miles, hence the question about the 02's. (plugs had missing pucks) The car runs quite well, so I'm not worried, but I'm glad to have all of your insights.
Thanks again,
Patrick
Thanks again,
Patrick
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
