Rant: That whole thing about using brake cleaner on O2 sensors to save money

Tried cleaning a $90 O2 sensor with CRC brake cleaner instead of just replacing it, wasted 3 hours and still had to buy a new one the next day, anyone else fall for that shortcut before?

2 comments

2 Comments

stone.evan1mo ago

Did you also watch a YouTube video where some guy with a 2007 Silverado swore it worked like magic? I tried the same thing on my Accord's downstream sensor, even let it soak for an hour and scrubbed with a wire brush. Check engine light came back on after 15 miles of driving, and I had to swallow the cost of a new one plus the wasted can of cleaner. Was your issue more about the sensor reading still being off, or did the cleaner actually mess something up physically?

eric_ramirez671mo ago

That YouTube Silverado guy is why I just buy new sensors now. Cleaners can mess up the internal element on those things, it's not worth the gamble for $40.