Why you can’t clean an oxygen sensor

You can’t really clean an oxygen sensor to make it work

If you do a search for how to clean an oxygen sensor you’ll see all kinds of techniques. That may lead to you believe that cleaning yours is a good idea. Unfortunately, there’s no way to clean an oxygen sensor and anyone that tells you otherwise is someone who doesn’t have a clue as to how they work.

How an oxygen sensor is made

An oxygen sensor is made with a porous zirconia “thimble as the base material. It is plated with porous platinum on the inside and outside of the thimble. The sensitive zirconia is protected by a metal shell that has opening to allow exhaust gas to flow to the thimble.

The sensor measures the difference between oxygen in the exhaust stream versus oxygen in the air. In order to sense that, the oxygen molecules must flow through the porous platinum coating and the porous zirconia

Why it can’t be cleaned

When an oxygen sensor becomes contaminated with oil, soot, or coolant, the porous platinum and zirconia become plugged. That plugging is permanent. Chemicals may be able to wash off the contamination on the surface of the platinum and zirconia, but it can’t remove the contamination from the clogged pores deeper into the zirconia.

Cleaning your oxygen sensor may make you feel good, but…..

What you’re cleaning is the protective metal shell, not the operating part of the sensor. In other words, it’s a complete waste of time and effort. If the sensor is not working properly it must be replaced. There is no way to remove the embedded contaminates from the porous platinum and zirconia.

©, 2024 Rick Muscoplat