My friend has an Echo that has the CEL on and we were going to clean the O2 sensors as a starting point.

I have heard everything from Clutch and brake fluid to a propane torch

Has anyone done this and what did they use?

PLEASE state if you are talking from experience or an idea.
I dont want to go with a " this just might work" idea

Thanks

 

BUMP it up for a friend in need

 

i'd find out what code was being thrown before i got my hands dirty.

as for cleaning them i have never done it with any real success, years and years ago i tried both a propane torch and carb cleaner on two seperate sensors with no benifit.

 

if its code 171 then that indicates O2 sensor, but more likely it's just a faulty sensor misinterpreting the data. Echo's had a problem with this code, I got that code 180,000 miles ago and haven't made any repairs. Nothing happened.
Somebody recently posted here that they got that code on their Scion. seems Toyota didn't fix the problem.

 

How do I find the code?

 

scan tool or autozone they'll scan it for free

 

cheers!!!! done it and it is the O2 sensor

 

exhaust parts arer under warrenty for a looong time gete it done for free

 

There is no cleaning an O2 sensor. You should replace it, since your are going to spend the time to clean it. They are not that expensive. If you clean it and it doesn't fix your problem then you will have to do it again.

 

Did the dealer fix it under warranty??? If so great. If not ,how come?