Year: 2001
Make: Oldsmobile
Model: Intrigue GX
Engine: 3.5L LX5 ShortStar V6 DOHC
Mileage: over 126,000
Transmission: 4T65E 4-speed automatic
OBDII: P0141 O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
Got the code this morning on my way to work and I checked the live data and it shows the voltage in mV (~630mV on the sensor). Should I replace the Catalytic converter, gaskets, resonator, tail pipe, and the sensor, or replace only the sensor? I do have an exhaust leak that was patched, but patches lasts a bit of time (more of a temporary fix than a permanent fix).
P0141 is the heater circuit in the O2 sensor I believe. Just swap the sensor out, the heaters in them do burn out from time to time.
How long do they normally last? The old ACDelco lasted 17 years, which was not the cause of the stalling issue I had 2 years ago (turned out to be a bad fuel pressure sensor) and this Bosch sensor lasted 2 years.
What I would do is get an old rag and stick it into the exhaust pipe then I would check for the amount of pressure trying to push the rag out if there is a lot of pressure your exhaust system is okay but if it feels like there is not a lot of pressure I would get some soapy water and spray it on all of the joints and connecting points of the exhaust and look for leaks if you do not see any then I would replace the sensor and if it doesn’t fix it change the exhaust system
I'm having a difficult time removing the SOB from the end of the Catalytic Converter. Tried a small 7/8" O2 socket 3/8" drive with a breaker bar and the O2 sensor socket tool I got from Amazon (or RockAuto.com), torch, PB blaster, and nothing. Is the taller deep impact socket for the O2 sensor a better option? Also fixed the issue with the exhaust noise (mostly) by using a 2 1/2" U clamp for exhaust pipes diagonally to hold the Catalytic Converter and Resonator in place and tightened the bolts down so it won't go anywhere.
An update on the O2 sensor replacement. Found a piece of pipe to use as leverage with the O2 sensor socket + breaker bar and got the bad sensor off. I then put on the new sensor without issues. And before I did the installation, I checked the threads on the Catalytic Converter and no damaged or missing threads.