86 Carrera, replacing O2 sensor yearly :(
 

Hello Folks,

Just wondering if anyone out there has had this problem. It seems I go through an O2 sensor yearly. I have tried the generic Bosch in the past along with the OEM part, both have failed in about a years time. I am running SSI heat exchangers if that makes a difference. Any help/ideas would be appreciated. the car gets driven about 3-4K a year.

Thanks,
Chris

O2 sensors can get contaminated. Leaded gas or silicone will wreck one for example. Are you running some sort of fuel additive or using leaded racing gas? I've heard that sometimes you can revive them by burning off the contaminants with a torch but I've never tried it.
-Chris

How do you know they are failing?

Not using any additives, and running 93 pump gas.

The last time it went the car was running very rich (black smoke), unplugged the sensor and it cleared up. This time, I started feeling a small misfire of sorts, but would clear up under heavy load at high RPM's. Again, unplugged sensor, cleared up and misfire gone.