Q&A for How to Clean an Oxygen Sensor

Make sure you don't touch the oxygen sensor when the car is hot—the oxygen sensor is attached to the exhaust pipe. I also recommend disconnecting the battery of the vehicle before removing any sort of electrical sensor. Also, use WD40 or some sort of lubricant to help, because the expansion and contraction of the metal can cause the threading of the sensor to seize, which makes it very difficult to remove.

Don't put that part in gas. simply tape the wire to outside of bucket so the sensor only is reaching the gas. The bucket is overkill; a 2-cup glass measuring cup would be enough to clean two sensors.

It doesn't matter. The octane rating should have nothing to do with it. It's the compounds in the gasoline that do the job.

Probably; it's just electrical contact cleaner, after all. Petrol is cheaper and easily available, so that's likely why they recommend it.

Theoretically, yes, but you would defeat the purpose and cause more issues, like an exhaust leak, which would make your vehicle run louder and possibly contaminate the cabin with exhaust fumes.

WD-40 is oil based and might contaminate your sensor. Just use it to loosen the threads.

The service manual should have specifications for the resistance range between pins in the sensor's connector.

Kerosene is more likely to leave oily residue on your sensors at normal temperature and pressure.

No, diesel has oil in it and will contaminate the sensor. Use regular gas only, then completely dry the sensor with a cloth before reinstalling.

Check your firing order and gap. If you did them all at the same time, chances are the firing order could have been rearranged. Always check the gap of the plugs, too. Also, check for spark and check rotor button.

Any time you are under the vehicle, you should have it supported with jack stands. If you use a floor jack and a seal develops a leak, the car will fall on you. Your life is more important that the couple of extra minutes spent setting up your stands.

Yes, and this is preferable. You can also burn off most contaminants with a propane torch.

The computer of your car will tell you. Check Engine will light up, and when scanned, an OBD-II p0420 code will display.

No nail polish contains too much acetone, also there are added scents in it.

Do not use that for cleaning, instead use a carb cleaner, check the can and make sure is says "won't harm 02 sensors or catalytic converters".

Clean it with carb cleaner. Spray it in the holes of the O2 sensor and let it dry before putting it back in place.

No need to put everything in gasoline; you can use a glass cup to just soak the sensor.

Thinner can damage your sensor, so use of gasoline is preferred.

It is unlikely you would have a vehicle that uses oxygen sensors but not a catalytic converter, as the use of a catalytic converter predates the O2 sensor in most cars. The short answer is no; however, the scenario in which it would apply is extremely unlikely and probably involves modification to the vehicle.

Don't use lemon juice. Lemon juice is mostly water and is very acidic. Vehicle sensors are not designed to tolerate acidic water.

No, not necessarily. The sensor is meant to regulate air/fuel ratio not engine idle speed.