can an o2 sensor be cleaned by simply torching the element and high pressure air blowing it instead of replacing it. will the rear o2 error code come on if the front 2 are operating ok?

 

No, that's probably going to destroy it. I think the wires inside are very fragile.

 

Which rear 02? You have one in the rear bank and one in the rear of the car 95/96 have it inside of the cat, 97-99 have it behind the cat.

Considering they have to heat up to a few hundred degrees to function, I doubt heating them would hurt them but its not a wise idea. Measure the voltage on it, if its bad, just replace it. The front 2 arent too expensive but the rear one in the cat is.

 

If it's not dead, you can clean the sensor with hydrocarbons (heptane or octane) and/or dyethyl ether if you have access to organic solvents. cleaning it once a year will give it an extended life.

If you've no access to solvents, use gasoline.

 

I came up with rear 02 code 0707 couple of weeks ago...I had mine replaced only a yr ago..almost new, so I was somewhat confused on why it came up..after about 2 weeks cel went away by itself..I checked ECU a couple of days after,and I came up with 0505 (no failure detected)...My car was running fine all the time and my mileage was not affected also. My advise would be wait for 2 weeks and hopefully it will go away..If not, replace.
You can either go with Bosch or NTK

 

Guys, my car doesn't report of O2 sensor failure but I get really crappy gas mileage..around 10 mpg in the city. Would replacing both the O2 sensors help? I have some transmission issues also, my A/T shifts from 1st to 3rd automatically..so that could be the culprit too ...but which one is a bigger culprit?