O2 Sensor Replacement Frequency

[SSTibet]

Folks,

How often should the O2 Sensors be replaced. Now, my car is 95 with 6-speed manual, 32.000 miles and I do not know whether the sensors were replaced before or when that happened.

I have driven the car for around 1,000 miles or less since last summer. Is it a good idea to replace the sensors (I have SES fault light coming up with `right O2 sensor fault` diagnostic result)?

Is there a recommendation from GM about how often the sensors should be replaced? Is it possible to clean and reuse them?

Need urgent help please.

 

[ShaneL]

If they are still the originals you should replace them.

On all of my other cars I have replaced them every two years.

-Shane

 

[SSTibet]

ShaneL,

Thanks for the answer. How may O2 sensors would be on a 95 6-speed manual Corvette? How many are there on your 96?

 

[ShaneL]

I have an O2 sensor before the cat and after the cat on both sides so that makes 4 sensors total because it is an OBDII system. The sensors before the cats are heated but the ones after are not heated. I beleive that your may only have three sensors but I am not certain. The only way to really tell is to look at the exhaust system or see if someone with the same year vette because pre 1996 vettes are OBDI.

-Shane

 

[SSTibet]

Dear ShaneL,

I checked my exhausts yesterday and could not see and O2 sensors (or any thing with a cable that looks like a sensor) after the CATS on either side. The car was not on jacks and we crawled under the car as far as we could go with my younger son (he is tinier than me of course). I put my hand around the pipe after the cats and went up and down to see if I would touch anything. And I did not feel anything as a result. Would you safely comment that there are no O2 sensors after the cats with a check like I did or could the O2 sensors be hidden some place where I could not reach with a bare hand?

 

[ShaneL]

On my car the rear O2 sensor was mounted on the cat back exhaust system after the flange that connects to the cat pipe on the driver's side right next to the trany linkage .The one on the pass side was on the tubing before the slip joint on the cat pipe. You may just not have rears at all but before I go misleading you it would be best fore someone else to chime in as well.

Off Topic

I found out the hard way where that linkage was when I raised the exhaust back into place after removing cats and mufflers/ the sensor had hooked onto it and pulled it into reverse. Now when I went to rev the engine (against the parking brakes and wheel chocks to hear the sound the car goes flying off the boards under the rear wheels. I was amazed that the car even started in the first place or that the back up lights did not come on. I was also lucky that the jack stand I had under the car was tipped over or it would have torn a hole in the floor. Oh well, at least I know that you learn best when you have an experience like this and no damage occurs.

-Shane

 

[SSTibet]

O2 Sensors Replaced

I had my O2 sensors replaced last weekend . There are 3 sensors on the car; one on the driver side (before the cat) and 2 on the passanger side (one before and one after the cat). I had read somewhere in CAC that the O2 sensor on the passenger side, which is after the cat, does not emit any signals to the PCM, I replaced it anyways (I would replace this one with an O2 simulator if I could find one here - there was not any in the spare part shops ad )...

This new mechanic has the diagnostic computer and he told me that all 3 new sensors are now functioning - he had also checked them before. I also fueled up the car from a good gas station and put some injector cleaning compound in the gas. So far so good, no CES fault light or engine stumbling... Hope it goes on like this.

 

[68Roadster]

Check out the latest issue of Corvette Fever, I think I remember seeing a story on O2 sensors in there. Haven't had a chance to read it yet but maybe it has some clues on replacement intervals, troubleshooting, etc.....

 

[SSTibet]

Check out the latest issue of Corvette Fever, I think I remember seeing a story on O2 sensors in there. Haven't had a chance to read it yet but maybe it has some clues on replacement intervals, troubleshooting, etc.....

I checked their web page but could not find the article. Can you please send me the link if you happen to find it?

 

[68Roadster]

I checked their web page but could not find the article. Can you please send me the link if you happen to find it?

Try this from the Bosch website, the Corvette Fever article lists them as the source....

http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/FAQs/OxygenSensors/

Unfortunately it does not give, nor does the article, a timeframe when they should be replaced. Loss of power and degradation of fuel mileage seem to be the two biggies that point to sensor problems.
If you still want the article, I can try and scan it.

 

[SSTibet]

Hey thanks for the information 68Roadster. I am printing it for my personal records.

 

[WhalePirot]

I think the life is dictated more by how you drive the car, as are many things. A mistuned engine can foul the sensor as can many short trips where the thing just doesn't get to warm up.

The article is in the latest Corvette Fever and is a recommended read, if a bit dry.