Can an O2 sensor get overheated?

[ausgezeichnet]

I've been thinking through a problem with my idle surging after the car is throughly warmed up. I noticed that my catalytic converter was glowing red hot around the middle after a spitted run. It's probably the original Cat and all clogged up. Since the red hot glowing is not too far from the O2 sensor I am thinking that the O2 sensor may be getting too hot to give a good reading which causes the idle to pulse. Does that make sense?

[350HP930]

If the cat is clogged its your problem, not the 02 sensor.

[TimT]

Yes you can overheat an 02 sensor..and it will give erratic readings..

However cant say if this is the root of your problem

[ausgezeichnet]

Ok Thanks. I bought a Fabspeed pre-muffler to replace the Cat. Should have it next week. It will be interesting to see what kind of a difference it makes.

[stlrj]

A glowing cat is a sign of an over rich condition.

Joe

[fredmeister]

I had a related question on O2 sensor malfunction.
The sensor seems to have stopped working on my 79 911SC as well. I installed the sensor into my SSI exchangers with a K&N A/F ratio gage kit and it worked for about 10k miles. Now all of a sudden I am either extremely lean or the O2 sensor is not sending signals to the gage, because it no longer illuminates any lights on the gage. The wiring is ok, so something else has failed.
Is it possible to clean a dirty sensor assuming that it is gunked up and causing the problem?
I had heard that you can heat them with a propane torch to clean them up but am not sure if this is true.
Anyone had a similar problem.

[stlrj]

What does your 02 sensor look like when you remove it? Is it black and sooty or light grey?