Anybody had any luck cleaning O2 sensors instead of replacing them? 2003 3.8, Thanks ! Claydoh

 

No offense, but IMO cleaning O2s is a bit of a hack job route. If the cleaner screws up the readings, even slightly, it wouldn't take long to use up the entire $30 (in mpg loss) that was saved by not replacing it outright from the start. Its one of those things thats so cheap and needed so infrequently (maybe 1 or 2 replacements over the whole life of the car) that its better to just swap them.

Edit - talking about the front O2 only of course, as thats the only one that actually matters for fueling.

 

Thanks bumpin96 !, I appreciate the response ! Question tho, if the front O2 sensor is what to replace for poor mpg, then whats the rear or after cat one affect ? also is there one replacement brand better than another ? I was looking at the Denso one on rockauto, but they also have bosch, walker etc ? Also whats your thoughts on cleaning or replacing IAC valves ? thanks again !!

 

The o2 after the cat only tells you if the cat is doing its job. Bosch and Walker o2s, ive had really bad luck each time Ive gotten one of those. Ive gone thru many of them. Ive cleaned quite a few IACs with success on each. Well, except one. One needed replacing.

 

Id go Denso or Delco. Id second avoiding Bosch. They're not normally a low end brand, but I remember seeing a lot of failures for them on 3800s back in the clubgp days for some reason.

I'm also all for cleaning the IAC. Just pop the bolts off, saturate the head in your favorite cleaner (not the whole body) and give it a scrub with a soft brush (plastic, copper, etc) to loosen up the debris. Make sure to clean inside the mating hole in the TB too. Could help prolong its life giving it a clean bore to run in rather than having to constantly fight against all the crud build up.

 

Thanks you, Brother !