Cleaning VOD.. the "While I'm in there" syndrome.

[Jeff K]

I took the intake off to get to a coolant leak. One loose clamp fix that.

While I'm there, I'm looking at the sensors in the Y-pipe. They are original, but were removed and thoroughly cleaned a year ago.

My car run excellent, zero issues sans this now fixed coolant leak. I pressure tested it and everything is fine.

I see the original Thermotime, , Lamba and Therm Vac switches on the Y-pipe.. should I replace them?

I don't like to spend unnecessarily, or fix what is not broke.. but .. I'd hate to have an issue soon and kick myself for not replacing them.

Thanks
Jeff

[DeLorean03]

That's personal preference. You could put it all back together and tomorrow something could break. You could put it back together and 10 years something will break.

FWIW, when I did my VOD in 2004, I did replace the ported vacuum switch in the Y-pipe. The lambda sensor and the idle speed thermister I left alone. Just in Feb 2013, I did my VOD cleaning again to change a water pump, and I didn't replace any of the 3 sensors - the ported vacuum switch is 9 years old, the idle speed thermister and lambda sensor are (to the best of my knowledge) 31 years old.

Just personal preference - do what makes you happy. You've got DMC-CA not too far from you. It would be all of - 2-3 extra days - to order those parts and install them if you really want to do it. If you do install new parts, one kind suggestion: teflon tape on the threads of all the sensors. It's one "lil blessing" if you need it!

[Morpheus]

T If you do install new parts, one kind suggestion: teflon tape on the threads of all the sensors. It's one "lil blessing" if you need it!

Only use teflon tape on sensors that are non-electric, such as the vacuum switch. The other two need to use the surrounding metal for ground, and tape will only interfere with that.

[Nicholas R]

Only use teflon tape on sensors that are non-electric, such as the vacuum switch. The other two need to use the surrounding metal for ground, and tape will only interfere with that.

And anti seize on your bolts. You'll be glad you did next time you're in there. Especially on the water pump, y pipe, etc.

[DMC5180]

As was mentioned earlier, it is a personal preference. Statistically speaking, the Y-pipe sensors have a relatively low failure rate. That said, they are relatively inexpensive to replace for piece of mind. Those original items could last the life of the car while in your possession or you could replace them and have a failure of a new switch in short order. (Murphy's law). I would say since you've now been in there you know what's involved doing it again if you had too. (It's not that bad) So I guess I'm saying "if isn't broke, don't fix it" in this case. None of them should leave you stranded if they did fail. Unlike a FUEL PUMP. If they are still working after all these years you should be fine.

[DeLorean03]

Only use teflon tape on sensors that are non-electric, such as the vacuum switch. The other two need to use the surrounding metal for ground, and tape will only interfere with that.

Interesting, my sensors have teflon tape D: ...