My o2 sensor is white...whats going on here?

[authentic]

Well I've begun the removal of the stock headers, and straight away I'm greeted with something strange. My o2 sensor has this white residue on it, and its pretty well coated on there. It doesn't brush off or anything.

Any ideas?

[Teamjelly]

It's running too lean
Sort it out pretty quick, as your exhaust valves will be looking the same colour

[SLYDIT]

if your putting extractors in you need to replace the 02 sensor anyway. most extractors put the sensor too far away from the head and the car runs poorly. so you need to fit a heated o2 sensor.

[authentic]

It's running too lean
Sort it out pretty quick, as your exhaust valves will be looking the same colour

What would cause it to run lean? It never crossed my mind as I usually blow a bit of smoke out of the exhaust under hard acceleration/revving as thought it was running rich.. Fuel economy isn't the best either.

if your putting extractors in you need to replace the 02 sensor anyway. most extractors put the sensor too far away from the head and the car runs poorly. so you need to fit a heated o2 sensor.

Would this location require a heated o2 or would I get away with a normal one in this case?

[Snapfrozen]

My guess would be that the new header o2 sensor location is fine. Most would have it after the powerball if they were aftermarket

[SLYDIT]

That will be fine. Most put the o2 sensor after the collector down by the gearbox.

[Angreal]

That will be fine. Most put the o2 sensor after the collector down by the gearbox.

Like mine:


Although I think others put it even further down like RB

[authentic]

Sweet, I won't have to worry about that then.

I checked my spark plugs for signs of the engine running lean, but they appear perfectly normal. A bit of searching on google said that it might be from silicone poisoning, like a gasket or something getting burned and coating the o2 sensor white.

I'll buy a new sensor when I get these fitted up, and check it again to see if it happens again.