Cleaning an O2 sensor?

[Walsted]

I just replaced my front O2 sensor. The old one was coated with a whitish ash-like coating, resembling what I usually find on spark plugs.

If I were to remove and check the rear O2 sensor for a similar coating, is there a cleaner (such as brake cleaner or electrical contact cleaner) that would be safe to use to remove the coating without damaging the sensor?

Thanks,

[POS Racing]

No clue if you can clean them.

What did you figure out?

[Walsted]

I haven't figured much of anything out, yet. I replaced the front sensor as it had at least 100K on it, the exhaust smelled like the car was running a bit rich, and a post on the pointy board stated that replacing an inefficient front O2 sensor helped eliminate a persistent P0420. Hopefully, replacing this sensor will keep me from buying a fourth cat since buying the car in Aug 2007. I'll pull codes again this week to see if the persistent P0420 went away.

[goofygrin]

If you keep blowing cats, have you looked at the coils? A bad coil kills the cat with a quickness on these cars.

That said, I've got the rich smell and P0420 myself...

A p0420 means the cat's already dead most likely unfortunately.

[Walsted]

I was kinda hoping threads similar to this one were correct. I guess I'll order a new cat as well if the code comes back.

[goofygrin]

Let me know if you P0420 stays away. I'd love to get id of mine