I cleaned my O2 sensors!

[KJB]

It's been a long time since I've been on here but I still have my `96 Explorer with 224,000 miles on it. The check engine light has been on since 75,000 miles and I was told at the time that the O2 sensors were going bad but that I didn't need to change them untill it started acting up. I've been reading on a Mustang forum (www.corral.net) about how you can clean your O2 sensors so I thought I would give it try. I removed each sensor and heated them red hot with a propane torch and then while they were still hot I cleaned them with a wire brush. I then pried open the slots a little bit and hit them with a shot of brake cleaner when they cooled down. I then disconnected the battery for a while to let the computer reset and so far the check engine light hasn't come back on and the engine is running better than it has in a long time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[Alec]

I wouldn't recommend this, but I guess it's tryable if you're low on cash.

 

[IAmTodd]

Hey, the worst you can do it destroy an already bad sensor.

 

[KJB]

Alec,

What could it hurt?

 

[Alec]

Todd is right, if the sensor is already bad why not try?

Though it could hurt the truck if the computer actually tries to use the data from a fubar'ed O2 sensor.

 

[Glacier991]

I read somewhere that the propane torch idea is not a good one, even for testing, but cannot recall the reasoning.