Yes and no. I used the stock gaskets that attach the CBE to the cats and the muffler, but used new gaskets in the middle section. since they had less then 2000 miles on them, I didn't think there would be an issue.

switch dem gaskets!

Out of curiosity, how can a gasket that is after the sensor effect It's reading?

Although the general flow is front to rear through the exhaust, it can move air in backwards a very short distance. Air is only being pushed down the exhaust during the exhaust strokes.

Also check that the wires on the O2 didn't get pushed against the exhaust.

Interesting.

If the wires are up against the exhaust, could they melt, or will that just effect the reading?

Tomorrow I'll run by the local dealership and get 2 gaskets. If I have time I'll install them and check the 02 connections.

Any other suggestion?

The wires could melt. Part of the wire where it comes out of the O2 is protected, the rest of it is not. Normally it's not at much risk because the harness is short enough to keep it out of trouble.

Hopefully the gaskets will do the trick.

Got the gaskets today at the dealership. $40 for two gaskets! Well hopefully this will fix my problem. I'll most likely install them next Monday when I have off from work.

Yep, gaskets make a world of difference lol. I had me CEL on for ages and ended up being that the gaskets had been leaking which caused air to get sucked in past the O2 sensor causing a lean condition...

Never would have thought gaskets would cause this, but hopefully that's all it is. After I install them should I reset the computer?

Well I replaced all of the gaskets and that had no effect. I took the Z in for an oil change today and had them look at it. They found that one of the 02 sensor’s wiring had been chewed on by some sort of small animal. I don’t garage my car, but I do cover it, and it sits for days on end, so I’m sure some little varmint took shelter under there and then made a snack out of the insulation. Little bastard. The dealership wants $190 for the part and $130 to install it. That’s highway robbery as far as I’m concerned. I have a friend who can do it for free, but I have to order the part. The service manager gave me a part number of: 26AO-ET000. I would like to try and order the part from an outside vendor, so I did a search for it on google, but came up with nothing. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can order this from, other then from the dealership?

Well I did tell you to check the sensor wires while you were under there :) Damn varmits.

Here's the rear sensor - $145 each!
370Z - Rear O2 Sensor

I actually did, well mostly. It wasn't easy to spot, but it's clearly two little teeth that made it.

Thanks so much for the part. Are both of the rear sensors identical?

Also, any suggestion son how I can prevent this in the future? Is wrapping the lines in electrical tape a bad idea?

Drive the car more :excited:

Lol. Just don't let it sit for too long. I had over $300 worth of damage to my from mice. Little bastards. You could also put a little bit of poison on the inside lip of the rims if it sits for a long time.

It sat a lot over the winter because of the 3+ feet of snow we got. It won't sit as much over the spring, summer and fall months, but it isn't my daily driver. I'm gonna put some traps/bait under it. I've had a lot of issues with cars over the years, but I never would have imagined this one!

Yes, both rear sensors are the same.

You can wrap the wires beyond the heat shielded part but I don't think that will do much to keep the varmints out. This was an unusually heavy winter for you guys down there, hopefully next winter you will get to drive it once in a while.