Oxygen sensor issues after header install????
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
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From: Orange County CA
Oxygen sensor issues after header install????
About a week or two ago I installed a set of TTS Long tube headers. The results have been fantastic....However, I am now getting codes that indicate that both of my front Oxygen sensors are going (or have gone) bad...and one of my rear sensors now appears to be going bad. Any suggestions on what could be causing this??? Any help would be greatlly appriciated.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: DFW TX
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Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Charley Hoyt)
Are you running cats? With our headers we put O2 sims in the rear and attach the physical rear O2 sensors to the front O2 wiring harness. This is due to the insufficient switching codes we get since our headers are so long. The rear O2's actually are rated at a higher wattage and heat up faster. This clears up the problem for our customers...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 37
From: Orange County CA
Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Godspeed)
Are you running cats? With our headers we put O2 sims in the rear and attach the physical rear O2 sensors to the front O2 wiring harness. This is due to the insufficient switching codes we get since our headers are so long. The rear O2's actually are rated at a higher wattage and heat up faster. This clears up the problem for our customers...
I am wondering if it could be related to one of several things. First, The TTS headers have a bolt in collector that requires an RTV Sealant. The sealant I used is Oxygen sensor safe….but I am wondering if it could have poisoned the sensors because I drove the car prior to the RTV setting. The other possibility is …could the sensors have been damaged when the collector was TIG welded to the cats? I would think that they are far enough away so that the heat would not have hurt them??? The last possibility that I can think of is that when the weld shop tilted down the mid section of the exhaust, to weld the collector to the cats, they could have stressed the wires on the sensors. Or could have allowed the wires to get too close to the heat of the headers???
[Modified by Charley Hoyt, 8:43 AM 5/2/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Charley Hoyt)
I have always been told to disconnect the battery before doing any electrical welding on a "digital" car. If there is any validity in this, it might be at least part of your problem.
All the best. :yesnod:
[Modified by Avanti, 11:13 AM 5/2/2003]
All the best. :yesnod:
[Modified by Avanti, 11:13 AM 5/2/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 1
From: Allen TX
Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Charley Hoyt)
depending on the code, sounds like an installation issue. O2 sensors are extremely delicate, if you drop one service manual says to replace it. i lost one on my install of TTS headers from installation. my dad had to have 2 replaced subsequently following installation. and i have since had the headers installed a second time on new vette and didn't getting any codes. if you replace they will be fine, but more than likely it was from installation.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 37
From: Orange County CA
Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Charley Hoyt)
FYI I installed a new set of Front O2 sensors today and everything is working fine now :) . I think that the welding killed the sensors? That was an expensive (~$100) lesson.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,741
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From: Antelope CA
Re: Oxygen sensor issues after header install???? (Charley Hoyt)
Charley, I had exact same problem. If you're not careful with the O2's during the removal, most likely it was damaged. Make sure all of the O2's wire isn't press against the body of the car. If it is clear and look okay, it is definitely a bad sensor during the removal or during the install. The sensors are expensive to replace so make sure you check out everything.
Good luck.
Thomas
Good luck.
Thomas
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