O2 Sensor Cleaning

[Techniker]

This is more of an academic question than anything. I know it's almost just as cheap to get an aftermarket sensor, I'm just more interested in the responses here. I am replacing an O2 sensor on a car (not my own this time) and have managed to pull an old OEM sensor off at a junkyard. When I think about the years of exhaust gases blowing past it and, before I go through the trouble of installing it, I would like to try to clean it up a bit.

Any suggestions about how I could do so without pulling off platinum catalyst along with it?

If you really must know why I would want to do this- it's more of a project for me than anything else- I prefer to try to fix something before I get a whole new one. I also rebuild alternators (and even starters) when economically it would be more viable to just replace them.

Thanks,
Techniker

[danielsatur]

I would think you could use a propane torch to clean plugs & H20 sensors.
Don't forget to use Anti seize compound.

Caution -
Remove plugs when Aluminum heads are cold.
H20 sensors canbe hot, but be careful.