Lube for O2 sensor chaser?

[ajchien]

I had a cat that needed the O2 sensor threads cleaned up. Bought the Lisle tool, and someone recommended I use antiseize as the cutting lubricant.

Tool worked fine, except afterwards, the chaser has these little nicks on the first few turns of the threads now.

Cheap tool? Wrong lubricant? Or are these O2 chasers one time use things?

 

[brawls43]

I used antiseize for lubricant on chasing some O2 sensor threads, and it worked well for me. It didn't see any nicks. Could be a factor of how bad the threads were? Or a cheap tool, maybe a bad batch. I got the Lisle tool from Advanced Auto, and its worked through some pretty mangled threads for me.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Cannot get anything silicone based anywhere near the 02 sensor.

Cutting fluid should have been fine . Anti-sieze as a cutting fluid? No.
Not in my world. Motor oil in a pinch.

I would have wiped the threads clean afterwards of the a/s and even squirted some brake cleen in there and then let it evap. for some time.

Anti-seize gums up over time as well as fails due to heat in many cases.

Rethink your tactics is my idea unless stranded and it's a OMG situation.

 

[cryan]

Cannot get anything silicone based anywhere near the 02 sensor.

Anti-seize gums up over time as well as fails due to heat in many cases.

Anti-seize, never-seize, copaslip, are copper based and specifically formulated for high temperature situations. I have used a lot of all three in extreme temperature situations for years and I've never seen it gum up? In fact it usually thins out.
I would have used Trefolex or similar cutting compound paste to cut the threads then cleaned that off with WD40 or similar before either fitting the sensor with anti-seize or a Firegum type exhaust sealant if required. If the first couple of threads are gnarled up I would say either you never got the thread chaser lined up quite right or you never went a quarter turn backwards every half turn forward to break the swarf in the thread? Run a proper tap down the threads to correct them.

 

[Skin]

Anti-seize, never-seize, copaslip, are copper based and specifically formulated for high temperature situations. I have used a lot of all three in extreme temperature situations for years and I've never seen it gum up? In fact it usually thins out.
I would have used Trefolex or similar cutting compound paste to cut the threads then cleaned that off with WD40 or similar before either fitting the sensor with anti-seize or a Firegum type exhaust sealant if required. If the first couple of threads are gnarled up I would say either you never got the thread chaser lined up quite right or you never went a quarter turn backwards every half turn forward to break the swarf in the thread? Run a proper tap down the threads to correct them.

Speaking with regards to the permatex brand anti-seize it absolutely dries out. Anyone who has a bottle they leave open knows this. Usually end up dumping a little motor oil into it every once in awhile to get it moist again.

 

[diesel research]

Cannot get anything silicone based anywhere near the 02 sensor.

Cutting fluid should have been fine . Anti-sieze as a cutting fluid? No.
Not in my world. Motor oil in a pinch.

most cutting fluids are chlorinated or sulfated...neither of which belongs in any part of the upstream exhaust system. buh-bye cats!

 

[cryan]

Speaking with regards to the permatex brand anti-seize it absolutely dries out. Anyone who has a bottle they leave open knows this. Usually end up dumping a little motor oil into it every once in awhile to get it moist again.

I've never used that brand, don't think its available over here so can't comment. Their website does say its rated to some pretty high temperatures. All the different brands I've used have never dried out (Molyslip, copaslip, Bostick, Beldam Pilot). Its only really light grease with coper dust and some antioxidents in it to prevent corrosion. I usually get copaslip in 500gram tins then punch a hole in the top with a wad punch and use a paint brush so they are always open to the air usually for many months and I've never had an issue or had to add oil until I'm literally scraping the last amount out.

 

[jjjrmx5]

most cutting fluids are chlorinated or sulfated...neither of which belongs in any part of the upstream exhaust system. buh-bye cats!

Agreed.

But you CAN/SHOULD clean out the cutting fluid (and any thread chips) before installing the 02 sensor.

As you should/do SOP.

But u knew that already.

Their website does say its rated to some pretty high temperatures.

Pretty high temperatures.

Yep.
That there is science numbers.

 

[cryan]

Pretty high temperatures.

Yep.
That there is science numbers.

Lol, What we have here is a failure to communicate. I say tomahto you say tomayto. Us Scots are famous for understatement, when I say, "pretty high temperatures," I really mean hotter than a hot thing on a hot day eating hot stuff! or between 800-1300 degrees centigrade.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Cannot get anything silicone based anywhere near the 02 sensor.

I second that ! A tiny bit of silicone will kill and EGO sensor, fast.

If you are using anti-seize I hope you are using the high temperature kind.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Many new o2 sensors I've put in come with antiseize from the factory on the threads. This confuses me as to why many are concerned.

 

[Skin]

Many new o2 sensors I've put in come with antiseize from the factory on the threads. This confuses me as to why many are concerned.

Yep, essentially all the denso sensors come with a little packet of copper anti-seize. As long as its on the threads its fine. Slathering it on the sensor on the other hand...