O2 sensors dead after short use???
 

Over the winter I installed Innovate wideband O2 sensors in my dry tailpipes. About the 10:00 position at the very beginning of the tailpipe. After very limited use, l probably less than an hour. Failed at idle. The sensors don't appear to be wet or that they have been wet, but I am sure that is the problem. These are CMI sport tube headers with dry to the very tip of the tails.

Couple of things...

I have spent a lot of time trying to get the idle right and idling very slow at times. I would guess this could be causing some reversion.

Also, I have clamp on mufflers that no doubt causes wet turbulence after the water mixes and wouldn't help with moisture in the system.

Question. Do you think the bung extender http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/x...cat=250&page=2 would solve my problem?

Any recommendation on where to find the best deal on the sensors? Bosch LSU-4.9. Is the Bosch 17025 the same thing?

Thanks for any advice,
BIll

we fought this issue and after killed 3 $150 02's tried extenders, mesh in tube, made little difference, finally moved bung to 10" from flange in tube and worked like a champ..only takes a mist of water to kill a heated 02, most of the time does not look wet or rusted at all...

I've been using that Innovative extender for a few seasons now. Before I put that in, I was killing o2's. I've been good since however I always carry a spare o2 since I'm running EFI in closed loop. I have wet exhaust; water introduced in the tail pipe about 14" downstream of the header collector. My o2 is at the beginning of the tail pipe right after the collector.

I use that extender and have had good luck with it. Low idles or engine 'hiccuping' around idle can cause problems.

Thank you for the replies!

One thing I noticed at the same time this happened was the throttle body on the carbs were wet with condensation when the engine was running. Cold water, cold fuel and very warm moist air I guess could cause enough condensation into the exhaust to harm the sensors. Funny how you see water pouring out of automotive tailpipes from time to time, you would think it would kill their O2 sensors.

Regardless, I am going to try the bung extender and hope for the best.

My 02 lasted 25 hours with no mufflers. I put mufflers on the boat last weekend and it was dead within the first hour.

the water you see out of cars is made by the cats, after the 02's, where yours are located looks way close to water to me..and adding mufflers will make a bad situation worse