Oxygen Sensor Spacer
Do you have a track car with no catalytic converter, or have you changed your OEM catalytic converter to a high-flow version? Both of these circumstances can result in a dash "Check Engine Light" (CEL) indicating a failure of the catalytic converter system.
One way to avoid setting this light is to space the Oxygen sensor (also known as the O2 sensor) further out from the flow of the exhaust. MCPi has developed a stainless steel spacer for this purpose. To install, remove the Oxygen Sensor located downstream of the catalytic converter. Screw the spacer in to the position where the OEM sensor was located. Screw the Oxygen Sensor in to the spacer. The relocated sensor will now have less exhaust flowing across it, so the likelihood of setting a CEL is significantly reduced. You may need to screw the spacer further in or further out of the exhaust flow to find the perfect position for the sensor. There is a lock nut on the spacer which will allow it to be positioned in finely tuned depths.
These spacers are manufactured from 304 Stainless Steel stock. The main body and the angle threads are two pieces, welded together. The lock nut is a zinc plated steel nut. Each unit is lasermarked with a unique serial number on the flat dimpled face.
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Installation
Note: Oxygen Sensors are sensitive pieces of equipment. They are also susceptible to damage. NEVER use products containing liquid silicone around the sensors, or anywhere in your air or fuel systems. Silicone will coat the sensor and make it inoperative in a relatively short period of time (solid silicone products, like hoses, are fine to use).
Installation of the O2 sensor spacer is quite simple:
- Unscrew the existing O2 sensor, located just in the exhaust system, after the catalytic converter. You may need to undo the sensor's electrical connection to allow the sensor to spin.
- The provided jamb nut should be on to the threaded shaft of the spacer. It is advised to apply a small amount of high temp anti-seize compound (not provided) on the threaded shaft, and on the O2 sensor threads, to make future removal of these components easier.
- Screw the MCPi O2 Sensor Spacer in to the hole that the O2 sensor used to be in.
- Screw the O2 sensor in to the spacer. The sensor should be tight, use the wrench flats on the spacer.
- Align the spacer/sensor radially, and tighten down the jamb nut.
- If you had a "Check Engine Light", it may require a factory tool or scanner to clear.
Note: Oxygen Sensors should be installed with the sensor tip tilted "downward" (the body of the sensor should angle up towards the wire end) by at least 5 degrees from horizontal - see the image below. The tail/wire end of the sensor should be in the "green area" shown in the photo below, resulting in the tip of the sensor being tilted "downward". As the exhaust system cools, water vapor in the exhaust gasses will condense. If the water collects on the sensor face, it will quickly degrade the operation of the sensor.
