Racepak o2 sensor

Mike Graham · 02-07-2023, 08:20 PM

I found that th o2 sensor power was disconnected on a car I bought. I think this was about 5 runs ago with some moving and idling. Does this destroy the sensors?

Dave Noll · 02-07-2023, 11:42 PM

That's powers the heater for the sensor. Without the heater, the sensor needs the exhaust to get it hot enough to produce a signal. Which is how the original single wire O2 sensors worked. Any damage to the sensor gets back to the age old argument, does leaded gas actually ruin O2 sensors?

Kirk Morgan · 02-08-2023, 10:24 AM

If you have a good volt meter IE Fluke or equivalent you can check it your self. You did not say what the application is but the voltage numbers will change very rapidly and depending on fuel mixture will range between .8 to .3 volts. You can make the fuel mixture rich or lean and see if the O2 sensor responds. Heated O2 sensors in my opinion are pretty tuff and take some extreme conditions to ruin them.

Jim Caughlin · 02-08-2023, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Noll

That's powers the heater for the sensor. Without the heater the sensor needs the exhaust to get it hot enough to produce a signal. Which is how the original single wire O2 sensors worked. Any damage to the sensor gets back to the age old argument, does leaded gas actually ruin O2 sensors?

Yes, it absolutely does. They are a consumable part for the dyno. We have had this conversation with Superflow in the past and they agree that there is no fix, the leaded fuel just flat doesn't work with them longterm. We even tried reusing malfunctioning sensors on pump gas motors to see if they would 'clean out', no luck. Bosch seems to be the best but we have a large pile of burned out ones.

Rob Petrie E395 · 02-08-2023, 04:29 PM

A related question. If you had the choice between a fuel injection system with the Bosch sensor or a NTK sensor. Is the NTK worth $200 more? They claim they last longer with leaded fuel.

Jim Caughlin · 02-08-2023, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Petrie E395

A related question. If you had the choice between a fuel injection system with the Bosch sensor or a NTK sensor. Is the NTK worth $200 more? They claim they last longer with leaded fuel.

Our experience is that Bosch seem to live longest.

Sean Marconette · 02-08-2023, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Petrie E395

A related question. If you had the choice between a fuel injection system with the Bosch sensor or a NTK sensor. Is the NTK worth $200 more? They claim they last longer with leaded fuel.

Rob,
Non related to the Racepak question. I killed a Bosch sensor after 6 dyno pulls and 2 passes when I switched to EFI. I switched to an NTK and they survive a full season. They are not cheap. I purchase a new one each year during Holley Days at a discount. BTW I run C-16, and have not had one fail.

Sean

02-07-2023, 08:20 PM	#1
Mike Graham Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 405 Likes: 1 Liked 327 Times in 65 Posts	Racepak o2 sensor I found that th o2 sensor power was disconnected on a car I bought. I think this was about 5 runs ago with some moving and idling. Does this destroy the sensors?

02-07-2023, 11:42 PM	#2
Dave Noll Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Div. 6, Eastern, WA Posts: 707 Likes: 2,603 Liked 236 Times in 109 Posts	Re: Racepak o2 sensor That's powers the heater for the sensor. Without the heater, the sensor needs the exhaust to get it hot enough to produce a signal. Which is how the original single wire O2 sensors worked. Any damage to the sensor gets back to the age old argument, does leaded gas actually ruin O2 sensors? __________________ Dave Noll, EF/S ,?/SA 6526 Last edited by Dave Noll; 02-08-2023 at 04:37 PM.

02-08-2023, 10:24 AM	#3
Kirk Morgan Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 224 Likes: 1 Liked 71 Times in 40 Posts	Re: Racepak o2 sensor If you have a good volt meter IE Fluke or equivalent you can check it your self. You did not say what the application is but the voltage numbers will change very rapidly and depending on fuel mixture will range between .8 to .3 volts. You can make the fuel mixture rich or lean and see if the O2 sensor responds. Heated O2 sensors in my opinion are pretty tuff and take some extreme conditions to ruin them.

02-08-2023, 04:29 PM	#5
Rob Petrie E395 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlawn IL Posts: 1,092 Likes: 162 Liked 216 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Racepak o2 sensor A related question. If you had the choice between a fuel injection system with the Bosch sensor or a NTK sensor. Is the NTK worth $200 more? They claim they last longer with leaded fuel.