Replaced the 02 sensor left side front

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Replaced my bank 1 02 sensor for the second time. I never got the check engine light, but I did get the 10pcm code on the DIC. Started to surge and buck in 6th going down the highway. The problem was intermmittent. I'd go from 28mpg avg. @ 75mph down to 16mpg avg. @ 75 without changing elevation a second later. The tell tale sign is the black soot at the tailpipe. Alittle catalytic converter smell at idle during a stop. Before it got worst, I replaced it. Only cost me $60.00 for the repair with tax. Looked at the old sensor, and it looked pretty good. It had alittle carbon on it, but it was dry. The old sensor was a bosch, and the replacement was good old AC Delco. I read that you should replace the 02s every 30k-50k. This one went only 15K- 20K. Has anyone else had to replace this particular sensor more than once?

 

[69MyWay]

I built a street rod for a fellow using a late model LT1. It has been eating O2 sensors really bad. Come to find out it had moisture building up in the connector to the harness. This would cause a loss in ground or signal that gave false readings and made that side of the engine go heavy rich, thus flooding out the sensor.

Glad you found it and isolated it. Did you do it all by following the info in the DIC, or did you use a scan device as well?

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

DIC or Scan tool

I just went by the info. on the DIC. The symtoms all pointed to the sensor as well. Using a scan tool, would there be any benifit other than cross checking? A voltage reading would have helped, but the problem was intermittent, and I never knew when it was going to act up. You would figure if the sensor was bad, it would just go,that would be it. Some additional info. is I'm running a 80mm throttlebody, Vortex power duct, 1000 cfm MAF sensor and 6" conicle K&N filter, all to a Z06 intake manifold. I bought a Mass Air Flow Translator and that alone made a huge difference in horsepower. I don't have it set too aggressive, and the existing O2 sensor did not show signs of running rich. I somehow feel that maybe it is the overall setup, and this is what I have to expect once a year.

 

[les]

Hmmm, Got me wondering about mine. Soot at the tail pipe. But I don't have any of the other problems.

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Les, maybe?

Mention the translator and Les appears out of the woodwork...LOL! (Just Kidding) Check the DIC for codes, you might need a replacement. You could be alittle rich running and the sensors haven't given you any trouble yet. Soot in the tailpipe is bad, and you could ruin your CATS left unchecked. Today, driving, getting on it all the way to work, totally clean exhaust pipes, shiny stainless. Yesterday was soot and more soot. Remember, I did not get a check engine light. It ran fine one minute, and bad the next maybe for 2 miles out of 20. Let me know what happens Les.

 

[ROCKnROLL]

todd,
how long did the first one last?

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Sensor

I believe I replaced it around 30,000mi.