Can you tell if an o2 sensor is ok by looking at it?

[Timmay2]

Just wondering... digging through my old junk and found a 4 wire o2 sensor and harness i never got around to putting on the car.. right now the car has a 85 harness so only has one wire o2 connector, and a 3 wire o2.. probably could be some problems with my car due to this so im deciding to finally put this o2 on..

IMO the sensor looks ok.. isnt completely drenched in carbon like alot of sensors.. its really light brown with a spot of a bit darker brown on it.. the wires look brand new.. it is a NTK brand.

I think its at least better than what i have in it.. so.. by just telling the color and wire condition think it would still be good ?

timmmsadofsdjfksafd

[Tim_K]

I'm no expert on O2 sensors, but I don't think that will work. I think the special metals that generate the signal voltage will degrade with use and even if it is clean, the sensor may not work right.

[Timmay2]

mm kay.

i got the car wired for the 4 wire now.. waiting on seeing if swapping the turbo solves my oil leak.

[mopar2ya]

Stick it in and see if it throws a code if not, your probably fine. You can stick a volt meter in the harness and see if its fluctuating wildly from .10-.9 or so when the car warms up.

wallace

[Timmay2]

cant pull codes.. car is a mutt mix of 85 86 and 87 electronics.. power loss light works but it wont flash with the whole key on and off..

I did run the wires for an 02 meter when i get one.. so i guess ill borrow a multimeter to check it out.

This turbo looks like its center cartridge was leaking too.. so i dunno if i want to swap now or not.. bleh.

Timmoy