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

[eswaroop]

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

[whtteg]

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?

[eswaroop]

Originally Posted by whtteg

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