What happens when you touch an Oxy sensor, does it usually think you are burning rich or lean after you touch it?

 

nobody?...maybe i should try the exhaust forum

 

what do you mean touch it?
the sensor has to heat up to a certain temperature (hot) before it sends a usable signal to the ECM.



but if you mean touch the metal on it, I wouldn't worry about it. I really don't think the oil on your skin is going to affect it. Consider its environment.

 

Most of our cars use a zirconia oxygen sensor. The actual sensing element is covered by a fluted metal cap. Like Token said, touching that shouldn't cause too many problems - at least not as many problems as the urban legend about touching oxygen sensors might cause. The first time you start the engine and the sensor tip reaches about 1,600°F, most of that skin oil should just about be gone.


That's almost as pervasive as the old myth about placing wet cell battteries on concrete. I haven't done any EE math problems for a while, but let's try one:

1.6VDC per cell (on a really good day);
<h1>+</h1>
¼" of polyethylene or rubber casing on the bottom side of the battery, with a breakdown voltage of probably around 16-18,000V;
<h1>=</h1>
Yeah, I'm really worried about the concrete magically sucking all the free electrons out of the acid solution in the battery and into the concrete.

As for temperature, it can't be a whole lot worse than sticking a battery in a metal tray under the hood of a car in -35°F weather.

Then again, concrete DOES have some rather mystical properties. It's almost as unfathomable as a french politician. Concrete does have some magical ingredients in its potion. Maybe it should have been a Maharaji instead of a friggin' rock...

 

hahahahahha

 

There's an "urban legend" about touching an O2 sensor??? Damn. I missed that one. If I touch 7 sensors for 7 days can I see visions like I'm stoned? Could I grind down O2 sensors and a make a cubic ziconia diamond from the dust? Heh heh.

I've touched a LOT of O2 sensors in very improper ways and they still worked just fine. They're tough little suckers and don't mind being abused by gorilla mechanics very much at all in my expereince. Age and mileage seems to be what kills them (and usually very slowly, not a sudden failure).

 

 

LOL