*UPDATE* I just bought one o2 sensor for the exhaust manifold, I picked up some Anti Seize compound, and Advance Auto Parts lets you rent out o2 sensor sockets. So it looks like next week, I'll be addressing this issue.

*Update* Pics posted!!! on the first page, first post. Take a look, and tell me what you guys think. Thanks.

Ok, I see the sensor, what is that around it?

Brother, Im on the phone with mykindaguise discussing that right now... we're not sure.

we're hoping for a few people on here chime in...

True story! haha

but seriously wtf is that?

I don't think I can say I have ever seen that.

Ok, I think I know what it is... give me a second to upload the pic

OP- Did the mechanic take those sensors out when they installed the HFC's?

ok sweet man, thank you bro.

Brother tell us everything you know.. I think the second picture is the best picture. It appears that nothing has spilled on it, and its coming directly from the o2 sensor itself, as if its leaking out or something.

No. They weren't touched. I was there.

EW and myself did the install.

Yup thats a fact.

We did start on the passenger side first, when we started to try to remove the demon bolt.

Ok, on the heat shield to each manifold, its has this white, padding like material attached to it, I guess like a heat resistant type padding.... anyways, it looks like whoever installed the manifold sensors got some of that padding caught up in the threads... Thats the only guess I could make... I had headers installed recently so I have the heat shields off.. check out the pic

He only has 5k miles on his car. It could've came from the delear like that and perhaps it just took a while for this to rear its ugly head.

I mean its possible, would this cause a code? We're wondering how long has this white sh!t been there, literally as I was removing the parts you told me to remove, i started looking for the actual o2 sensor.. And this is when I noticed the white stuff. Its only been a week and half since the HFC install.

And that padding might just be sticking out of the heat shield... I sort of thought it could be wrapped around the threads of the sensor when it was installed but you won't really know till you go and try to remove it.

Were you able to check out the wiring harness for any damage?

That's what I said. I think best case would be to unplug and clean up that padding and then reseat the afr sensor and see if it clears the code. I don't see how any of that should even be there unless it was done upon original assembly of the header.

I looked at the Driver's side, and that side looked fine. I guess once I get the new o2 sensor, we'll find out. But you do notice both CEL codes are on the Passenger side. This has got to be issue, but what we're wondering is, is this white sh!t the stuff thats causing the error code.

Not yet brother, its really cold out, and I didnt want to remove the air tubes, and leave the car without the air tubes connected, waiting on the new o2 sensor to come in the mail.

I don't think that padding could cause the CEL unless it was actually in the hole that the 02 threads into. But since you said nobody has removed it then I'm sure its just sticking out of the heat shield, take a look at my manifold. I pulled some of the padding threw like on yours.

No sh!t, ok soo I went out, used my long extension and pushed all that white stuff away, some fell on the ground I picked it, it was really soft, kinda like cotton or cotton candy, it was definitely wrapped around the entire base of the o2 sensor.

I also got my hand on the wiring harness clip on the opposite end, oh boy its gonna be a pain in the azz getting that off, luckily I have fairly small hands. Hopefully it'll be easier once i pull the air tube off.

Let me clarify, I didnt get ALL the white stuff off, but I got a large majority of it off.

You have your moms hands hahahaa jk but seriously. Clean that junk off make sure nothing is in the bung and then reinstall the sensor. Then do a battery pull for 10minutes then start the car and see if the CEL comes back

Ok so you're saying just clean it off, what should I use, I could probably use what, a tooth brush? Pull the battery, for 10 minutes. See if the code clears?

I have steel wool in both bungs, I was told it was a good idea to have it in there, it helps prevent codes.

You don't want the steel wool in the exhaust manifold bungs.

^agreed those are the important ones that read the actual afrs. I would just clean any of that padding away is all I meant

Roger that, I have the steel wool in the HFC bungs.

I tried to run out and do it, unfortunately daylight bit me in the azz. So hopefully, I'll get to mess with it soon..

the white padding is acutally a insulation so that the heat stays on the pipe and doesn't melt the wires on the O2 sensor. That material is similar to the padding I used to use on boilers when I was in the service. Good luck wiht your trouble shooting, would love to know what the root cause of your ses was.

Yeah you know, I wanna believe that, but when you look at the other side (drivers) you dont see any. I mean, does that make sense?:ugh2::ugh2:

And the white stuff is ON the o2 sensor not on the wires, o2 sensor wont melt but the wires will... its just odd. you know. It doesnt make any sense.

but the point is to prevent the heat from radiating, the bung hole and attatchment part of the O2 sensors has a tolerance for heat, where as the wires don't. Im not too sure about the orientation of where the insulation is because i had my hfc's done at ARK last week. In my opinion bro I think that it is your O2 sensor and not the padding.

Chances are if you didn't remove the O2 sensor before rattling away on the demon bolt you could have possibly damaged it. I bet you a 12 pack of XX the SES goes away when you change it out.

Man, Im hoping brother.. both codes are reading the passenger side o2 sensor so we'll see.. this has been an expensive lesson...:bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl: I can laugh at it now, but gosh damn...:icon17:

Yeah now a days you sneeze on the car and the SES light comes on. Everythong on the cars are delicate more so now than ever. Useful tip.....plan ahead a day or so prior to these type of projects. Thats what has saves my backside too many times before!

Ohh I know brother, it took us two days in itself, day two we decided to cut the passenger cat off, the driver's side we got VERY lucky that the bolt snapped off. Gosh, that was like the world being lifted off our shoulders. I still to this day pray to the man upstairs thanking him for that assist.

The padding could be the reason for this issue though..if the padding isn't installed as normal and extra heat is flowing up around the AFR sensor it could have been periodically wearing down the wires. We will keep everyone up to date. I am still not convinced these "vibrations" are the cause. I had zero trouble doing my header and cat removal. Also if vibrations like that can damage the o2's and afrs like that then I am truly surprised we don't see more of this from people who daily drive. Hell if you hit a pot hole on the highway the vibration from that is 10 fold of that of an impact.

You got a good point brother.

Hey Cody, I think Im gonna pull the o2 sensor out and have a look at it, and also look at the wires too just ensure everything's fine. I'll also clean around the area where the sensor physically plugs into.