Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What kills o2 sensors?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 06:17 PM
  #1  
senicalj4579's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default What kills o2 sensors?

Iv had 3 o2s go in a month.....
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 06:42 PM
  #2  
bww3588's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,139
Likes: 10
From: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Default

LT's kill O2's it moves them too far from the heat source.

leaded fuel kills them
antiseize kills them
RTV...etc
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:02 PM
  #3  
senicalj4579's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

I dont understand why the sensors would die from not being hot enough. Can you explain?
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:19 PM
  #4  
conor.davis's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, IA
Default

I've never had a problem with o2's and LT's on LS1's or LT1's.
Can't bad wrong AFR kill them?
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 07:31 PM
  #5  
senicalj4579's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

I have the infamous (Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response) that noone can seem to figure out.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 09:44 AM
  #6  
99SSJarhead's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Deloit IA
Default

Originally Posted by senicalj4579
I dont understand why the sensors would die from not being hot enough. Can you explain?
o2 sensors require a heat difference to generate voltage. The heat from the exhaust warms the sensor tip which is contrasted by air that enters into the sensor around the plug wires and is heated by an internal element. The difference provides a voltage reading that your car interprets to dictate your air fuel ratio. This allows your car to enter closed loop function which constantly updates your air/fuel ratio.

The problem with long tubes is they change the location of the o2 sensor from the engine bay (where there is a higher ambient temperature) to underneath the car (where fresh air is constantly flowing over them).

The issue with this is that it requires making the internal heater to work that much harder to maintain the necessary internal temperature to keep the car in closed loop. As such your car often remains in open loop and like in start up, runs a rich air/fuel setting trying to increase the temperature. This can lead to burning out that heating element, effectively killing your o2 sensor or wearing it out, providing the dreaded slow voltage reading (given it is having trouble making up internal temp, making it hard to accurately give a voltage).

The thing is, given this situation, you should really find a place, or invest in a tool that tests your o2 sensor. It may not be burnt out. If it just can't hold the internal temperature, odds are it may be fine, but it won't let your car enter closed loop, which gives the problems a rich leaning car would.

Most people seem to have better luck running either the denso brand, or the bosch corvette plugs, though a few still have recurring issues here too.

You may also wish to have your coolant temperature sensor checked as with out this, the pcm will not allow the car to enter closed loop in some instances which could then simulate a bad o2 sensor.

Other issues could be a fouled tip which is indicitive of excessive carbon or other material on the sensor tip in general. That however can be seen in most cases with removal.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 10:44 AM
  #7  
Z28_LT1's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
Default

^^^^

In summary, the farther away the sensors are form the motor, the cooler the exhaust will be when it gets to the sensors. If the exhaust isn't hot enough, the o2 sensors are telling the computer you just turned the car on. When that happens, the car won't enter closed loop and the computer will continue to run with an off air/fuel ratio.

Thats my understanding of it anyway.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 11:39 AM
  #8  
99SSJarhead's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Deloit IA
Default

something like that.

More or less your o2 isn't heating correctly, which prevents it from entering closed loop, which tells your engine to run rich, which makes the car run like crap.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:06 PM
  #9  
Z28_LT1's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
Default

I have also heard numerous times that the coating from coated headers will kill o2 sensors during the first few start ups because the burnt coating is harmful to the sensors. Any truth to this?
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:14 PM
  #10  
99SSJarhead's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Deloit IA
Default

Originally Posted by Z28_LT1
I have also heard numerous times that the coating from coated headers will kill o2 sensors during the first few start ups because the burnt coating is harmful to the sensors. Any truth to this?
first time I have heard of this, but if the initial coating were burning off the interior of the headers and started coating the o2, it'd likely foul the sensor head, which equates to the same thing.

That'd only kill the first pair though in most cases and shouldn't persist two, three, a year later as a lot of people have had happen. Not unless the coating was just that well baked on anyways.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 11:08 AM
  #11  
Ian Allen's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Incorrect information

Normally i wouldnt necro an old thread but this one came up in my google search and the info is wrong.

These sensors dont need heat to generate a voltage, the voltage is supplied by the power source when you plug it in. They do need to be about 600C to operate (the catalytic components and the crystal membrane seperating the micro gas chambers wont work unless HOT), but the internal heater supplies this energy, again when you plug it in. They do need exposure to reference (atmospheric) oxygen, because the supplied voltage pushes an ion pump against the normal oxygen pressure of air, and the resulting current gives the oxygen concentration in the exhaust. So dont wrap the exposed part of the probe in tape or insulation.

Otherwise they generally fail due to catalytic poisoning. Anything that will kill a Pt catalytic converter will kill this probe.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 05:09 PM
  #12  
LilJayV10's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
Likes: 999
From: Evansville,IN
Default

Originally Posted by Ian Allen
Normally i wouldnt necro an old thread but this one came up in my google search and the info is wrong.

These sensors dont need heat to generate a voltage, the voltage is supplied by the power source when you plug it in. They do need to be about 600C to operate (the catalytic components and the crystal membrane seperating the micro gas chambers wont work unless HOT), but the internal heater supplies this energy, again when you plug it in. They do need exposure to reference (atmospheric) oxygen, because the supplied voltage pushes an ion pump against the normal oxygen pressure of air, and the resulting current gives the oxygen concentration in the exhaust. So dont wrap the exposed part of the probe in tape or insulation.

Otherwise they generally fail due to catalytic poisoning. Anything that will kill a Pt catalytic converter will kill this probe.
The voltage is supplied by the power source when you plug it in?

Explain to me how a one wire 02 sensor works.....
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 06:44 AM
  #13  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

Originally Posted by LilJayV10
The voltage is supplied by the power source when you plug it in?

Explain to me how a one wire 02 sensor works.....
Why do you continue to post stupid ****?

He isnt talking about single wire resistance delta sensors, he's talking about heated 02 sensors, because that's what these cars use. For ****'s sake dude.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 09:10 PM
  #14  
LilJayV10's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
Likes: 999
From: Evansville,IN
Default

cause I was asking how a ******* one wire 02 sensor worked. for ***** sake I'm sorry.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 09:18 PM
  #15  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
Default

Originally Posted by LilJayV10
cause I was asking how a ******* one wire 02 sensor worked. for ***** sake I'm sorry.
DietCoke operates in Dick Mode most of the time because he doesn't know the answer to your question either.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 10:04 PM
  #16  
LilJayV10's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,711
Likes: 999
From: Evansville,IN
Default

Originally Posted by G Atsma
DietCoke operates in Dick Mode most of the time because he doesn't know the answer to your question either.
Ok well WTF ever. This thread has been derailed enough for the OP. My apologies.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 10:39 PM
  #17  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

Originally Posted by LilJayV10
cause I was asking how a ******* one wire 02 sensor worked. for ***** sake I'm sorry.
No, you were being contrary because you didn't like that he gave an answer.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 10:40 PM
  #18  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

Originally Posted by G Atsma
DietCoke operates in Dick Mode most of the time because he doesn't know the answer to your question either.
Go back in your hole old man.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2019 | 12:22 AM
  #19  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
Default

Originally Posted by DietCoke
Go back in your hole old man.
Case rests... LOL
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2019 | 12:25 AM
  #20  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
Default

Originally Posted by DietCoke
No, you were being contrary because you didn't like that he gave an answer.
Uh, NO, LilJayV10 never got an answer to the question you ridiculed.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:28 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE