dirty o2 (oxygen sensor) ? Will it read lean or rich?

Hi,

If my o2 sensor is dirty, (clogged by soot) will it read lean or rich? I am guessing it will read lean even if it is rich, but anyone who knows for sure?

Thanks

es

yes it would most likely read lean, depends on exactly what is wrong with it/ how it is clogged.

Why do you want to know?

yes it would most likely read lean, depends on exactly what is wrong with it/ how it is clogged.

Why do you want to know?

Well, I had a valve adjustment done at a dealer, it was not done properly, now the car (99 accord EX 4 cyl) seems to be running rich, coz the spark plugs are getting sooty, exhaust is sooty and mileage and power are drastically lower than before. I am guessing that because of the incorrect adjustment, the engine was burning badly and that clogged the o2 sensor, now even though the valves are adjusted properly, because of a dirty sensor, the ecu is burning my engine rich?


Is there a way to clean the sensor? and what is the easiest way to check if the 02 sensor is faulty?

Thanks,

es