Cleaning oxygen sensor

[Dextron]

I fired up my Froling for the first time this season and got an intermittent error message saying the O2 sensor or wiring was bad. Oxygen at 2.1%, primary air at 0%, secondary air at 99%. I disconnected the actuators and set the air dampers manually (by guesstimating based on flue temp and appearance of flame).

I called Tarm the next day figuring I needed a new sensor. The very helpful gentleman who answered suggested cleaning the sensor. When removing it the end was a ball of gray fluff - very fine ash. Carefully brushed it off - it almost fell off very easily. Then, at the advice of the Tarm guy, I tapped it to shake loose anything inside. I tapped quite a while and got a LOT of very fine ash. He had said to power it while cleaning as it has an internal heater and warned me it gets very hot. It does warm up when powered but did not get too hot to hold. Turned things on, oxygen started at 2.1% went to 1.9%, 0%, 11.2% and 20.7%. I then decided to try vacuum the probe and the O2 dropped back to 2.1%. Stopped vacuuming and it went back to 20.7% - I think it must have cooled it too much. Anyway, it seems to work fine now.

Wondering if anyone cleans their oxygen sensor regularly?

 

[mustash29]

Just thinking out loud.....

A quick blast of compressed air should blow the accumulated ash out pretty well. In the case of any gummy creosote type of deposits maybe an automotive type of "sensor safe" carb cleaner would work? I have never cleaned a car O2 sensor, just replaced them when the internal heater element died.

 

[Bad LP]

I clean the O2 sensors on my twin outboards with brake cleaner.

 

[TCaldwell]

what make and model is it? If its a bosch lsm11 i can help

 

[Dextron]

It is a Bosch sensor but I don't have the number with me right now. Gently tapping and rotating it until all the ash was out seemed to be the fix. It has been working for two weeks now with a fire every other evening. Once the ash was off it looks almost new. No creosote or erosion.

I have never tried to clean an automotive sensor - just change them out.

 

[TCaldwell]

the bosch lsm11 is a industrial 4 wire sensor, considered a wideband and favored by engine tuners for being robust. compressed air removing the flyash about once a month is a good idea. Cleaners are not recommended however if you get debris other than flyash like creosote, you can heat the end of the sensor with a ptopane torch until red, that will burn debris and the sensor will be responsive again.

 

[Hicks]

Help I have a country flame pellet stove and I get a code of 0 and it will not go into start up. Is it a vacuum sensor ?

 

[hiker88]

Wondering if anyone cleans their oxygen sensor regularly?

Hi Dextron, the short answer to your question is no - not the oxygen sensor - I don't clean it at all - never have.

I have a Froling FHG 3000, cord wood boiler (not sure if you have a cord wood, or pellet boiler) so that could be a difference. My owners manual calls for annual cleaning of the flu gas sensor, and I do do that, but the oxygen sensor hasn't been touched since it went in. I burn year round too - about 100 pounds a week in the summer, and about 100 pounds of wood a day in the winter (when we actually get winter temps that is).