I installed a turbo on my car, and had a base map put on it just to drive it around the city and get and alignment and exhaust done. I had a shop install the bung for the wideband O2 sensor about 32" back from the turbine (right under the firewall) and they installed it at a horizontal angle (so the O2 sensor sticks right out the side of the pipe).

When I turn my key to 'ON' the gauge reads 14.7-14.8 then within about 10 sec. it gradually makes its way down to 10.0 and then stops there (as far as it can read). I was told that when the key is 'on' it should do the exact opposite as the sensor heats up, slowly go up from 14.8 until it reads only "---". Is this right?

When I took my sensor out of the exhaust, it is pitch black with carbon buildup on it. It was obviously running too rich for too long and now has cooked the sensor.


Is there a way to clean the sensor, or do i just have to buy a new one?

Do I need to get a new bung welded on with a min 10deg. vertical angle?

Is the carbon buildup on the sensor what is making my gauge read 10.0 and act the way it is?

 

anyone??

 

well i put my buddy's sensor in and it now works fine. im gonna try cleaning my old one with a torch..i got nothing to lose so i guess ill see if that method works..

still curious on that 10degree minimum mounting angle. Anyone know if that has to be done?

 

dont use a torch. Just wipe it off with a clean, soft rag.

 

Mine usually starts around 15 or so. If the engine is cooling, then it gradually gets leaner up to about 15.7.

How the sensor is oriented isn't going to affect the reading. It will only affect the longevity of the sensor. It's supposed to be mounted in the top of the pipe or at a slight angle (less than 10 degrees) so that moisture wont accumulate on the sensor. Moisture condenses out of the air in the exhaust pipe when the temperature cools.

If you're going to drive around on an untuned map, put your stock sensor or a spark plug in and save your expensive wideband.

 

I ended up using a torch to clean the sensor. First I got the sensor to heat up by rigging it up to a battery for about a minute. Then i torched it for about a minute and got it to glow a little bit. When I plugged it into my car, and turned the key to on, it did what I was told it would (lean out until it gives "---" within about 30sec as the sensor heats up) and when i started the car on my tuned map, its reading what it's supposed to and what the good sensor read. So cleaning it with a torch worked for me, i dont know if that will decrease the life of it, but ill find out i guess.