Thread: Reusing Oxygen Sensors

I would like to get a quick opinion from a couple of people that have removed and replaced an oxygen sensor: Were they reusable after being removed, or did they become damaged? I know that they should be reusable, but I feel a premonition that they may easily break/strip/fail when being removed.

I have never had to remove an oxygen sensor myself. In the sometime near future, I will be installing headers and I am trying to guage whether it is likely I will need to replace the O2 sensors at that time even if they are functional.

Thanks.

If you're doing headers you might as well get a new front O2 sensor at the very least.

My factory O2's threads were kinda messed up when i yanked them at 125 K KM

They're supposed to be a 100,000 mile item. That being said, I can't imagine how you could damage something that withstands the heat and pressures of your exhaust all day.

by dropping it.

Same goes with spark plugs.

I stand corrected. If you're a butterfingers, this can happen.

I think I have what I need from this thread. How do I close it, or is that up to the moderator?

Just putting my .02 in here, if/when you do get a new O2 sensor, get a good quality, like a factory Delco one, seriously.
I've messed around with tuning for years, and just by swapping these, it can change a tune by a ton. The Delco ones read at a faster rate, which is what you want. I've found out over the years that the Borg Warner, Bosch, and even the mighty Denso read as much as 10% off at times, causing instant lean or rich conditions.

^ The reason I use only factory sensors

Any experience with NTK?

They seem to be preferred with SD headers because of their small size.

I haven't with NTK sorry. Yeah, I remember that clearance is a big issue too, Matt. I had to use a Denso with the Pacesetters, because the Delco was too long, and they ended up destroying it. I guess I should have said "whenever possible". I know it's not talked about much, but I have seen this, and I've got the scans to prove it. Delco factory ones almost look like they read erratic, which is actually a good thing, and others seem to have a smooth peak and valley type scan. This is also a reason people get the......P0133 code? I can't remember the code off hand, but it's mostly associated with just having headers. Partly true, because the sensor is farther down the pipe with headers, but it's still a pain in the arse DTC. It's not the end all discussion, but it's something to think about.