What does a lambda (oxygen) sensor do?

It monitors the oxygen content in exhaust gas and signals the ECU so fuel injection stays at the ideal air-fuel ratio.

How can I tell my O₂ sensor needs cleaning rather than replacement?

Slow sensor switching in live data or P0130/P0171 codes after short trips usually indicate carbon fouling that a deep clean will cure.

Is solvent cleaning safe for lambda sensors?

Yes. We use an oxygen-safe decarboniser and ultrasonic agitation off the car; no acids or abrasive brushes that could harm the ceramic element.

Does a cleaned sensor help pass the MOT emissions test?

Yes. Accurate oxygen feedback improves catalytic-converter efficiency, lowering CO and HC values below MOT limits.

What is the cost compared to replacement?

Cleaning costs £80–£100 versus £120–£180 for a quality OE replacement probe.

O2 Lambda Sensor

A clean, fast-responding lambda sensor keeps your engine’s air-fuel mix spot-on—here’s why drivers call us when theirs starts to drift.

Close-up of a mechanic performing engine carbon cleaning using a hydrogen machine connected to the intake system

What We Do

Lambda Sensor Cleaning

We’ve Got It Covered

We restore slow oxygen sensors without an expensive replacement.

Oil mist and soot coat the zirconia tip of a lambda sensor, slowing its response, skewing fuel trims and lighting the engine-management lamp. Drive into our Hanley garage and we’ll remove the sensor, soak it in an oxygen-safe decarboniser, ultrasonically loosen stubborn deposits, then reinstall it with fresh anti-seize and reset adaptations. You leave with accurate AFR readings, smoother throttle and lower emissions—no replacement parts, no guesswork.

Book Your Clean

Why Drivers Book Us

Cleaner Mix,

Stable Idle

A sluggish lambda sensor feeds the ECU bad data, so fuelling drifts rich or lean, idle hunts and mpg nosedives. Our in-garage clean restores the sensor’s fast-switch response in under an hour—no new parts, no guesswork. Call 07827533529 or book online to get your AFR back on point.

A fouled oxygen sensor can take twice as long to switch from rich to lean, so the ECU over-corrects and you feel a subtle surge at light throttle. Once the zirconia tip is de-carbonised, the sensor flips between 0.1 V and 0.9 V in milliseconds again, giving smoother throttle and up to 5 % better mpg on the same commute.

Leave a lazy lambda unchecked and unburnt fuel slides through to the catalytic converter, raising temps and poisoning the brick. The ECU often throws P0130 or P0171 codes, then resorts to limp-home fuelling. Cleaning the sensor before it dies protects the cat and saves the £200-plus cost of a new OE probe.

Accurate oxygen feedback also trims particulate output and NOx, helping high-mileage diesels meet MOT limits without costly additives. Many customers see the warning lamp clear immediately after the clean and pass the opacity test first time, with no need for injector cleaners or last-minute Italian tune-ups.

Common Boost Issues

Vehicles We Clean Most

for Slow O₂ Sensors

High-mileage commutes, oil mist and short urban trips clog some oxygen sensors faster than others. These are the cars and vans we’re called to every week to restore fast-switch AFR feedback and clear P0130-series faults on the spot.

Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi

Town driving coats the pre-cat sensor; ECU flags P0131 low voltage and runs rich until the probe is cleaned.

BMW 320i (N46)

Valve-stem oil mist slows the planar sensor response; idle hunts and the dash shows “Increased Emissions”.

Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi

Long service intervals cake the wide-band front sensor; trims hit the lean limit and trigger P0171.

VW Golf 1.4 TSI

Short hops foul the post-cat sensor, causing false cat-efficiency codes and a failed MOT readiness check.

Mercedes Sprinter 2.1 CDI

Delivery idling carbonises the NOx/O₂ combo sensor; van drops into torque-limp until a deep clean is done.

Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T

GDI soot slows the AFR sensor; ECU enriches, mpg falls and a rotten-egg smell appears under load.

Why It Matters

Fast-Switch O₂,
Perfect Fuel Mix

Clean data in, smooth combustion out

A lazy lambda sensor feeds the ECU stale information, so fuelling drifts rich or lean, combustion becomes uneven and both the cat and DPF work overtime. Cleaning the zirconia tip restores millisecond-fast switching, keeping air-fuel ratios spot-on at every throttle position. The result is steadier idle, crisper throttle, lower emissions and a catalytic converter that runs at the right temperature instead of roasting itself to death.

Make an Appointment

FAQ’s

Have Questions About Lambda Sensor Cleaning?

Straight Answers Before We Plug Back In

What does a lambda (oxygen) sensor actually do?

It measures the oxygen content in exhaust gas and signals the ECU every few milliseconds. That feedback lets the ECU fine-tune fuelling so the engine stays at the ideal air-fuel ratio (14.7 : 1 on petrol, slightly leaner on diesel).

How do I know my O₂ sensor needs cleaning rather than replacement?

If live data shows the sensor switching slowly (lazy waveform) but still within voltage range, or fault codes such as P0130, P0136 or P0171 appear after idling or short trips, a deep clean usually restores response. Broken heater circuits or open-circuit faults need a new sensor.

Is it safe to clean a lambda sensor with solvent?

Yes—when done off the engine with an oxygen-safe decarboniser. We soak the zirconia tip, then pulse-flush it. No acids, no wire brushes that could damage the ceramic element.

How long does mobile lambda sensor cleaning take?

Removal, soak, ultrasonic agitation and re-fit normally take 45–60 minutes per sensor, including live-data checks before and after.

Will cleaning improve fuel economy?

A fast-switch sensor helps the ECU keep fuelling exact, so most drivers see 3-5 % better mpg and steadier idle after the clean.

Does a cleaned sensor help pass the MOT?

Absolutely. A responsive O₂ sensor lets the catalytic converter work efficiently, lowering CO and HC levels—common reasons for MOT failures on petrol cars.

What does it cost to clean versus replace?

Cleaning is typically £80–£100 for the first sensor, far less than £120–£180 for a quality OE replacement. Fleet and multi-sensor discounts are available.

How often should lambda sensors be cleaned?

Petrol engines: every 40–60 k miles if short-tripped. Diesels with DPF: clean when you notice MPG drop or see O₂-sensor plausibility codes—usually 60–80 k miles.

Didn’t Find Answer?

Check Our All FAQs

Close-up of a black plastic intake manifold with visible dust and carbon build-up on a petrol engine.

More Mobile Services

Keep Every System

Running Clean

A rejuvenated lambda sensor is only part of the story. We also bring the workshop to your drive for on-site DPF flush & forced regeneration, precision EGR valve cleaning, full intake & turbo decokes, hydrogen engine carbon cleans, and custom ECU remaps for extra torque and better mpg. One van, one appointment—every airflow issue fixed where the car already sits.