Cleaned O2 sensor = very noticeable improvement

[afterthisnap]

In the process of replacing the passenger side CV boots I pulled the O2 sensor. While it was out I scrubbed it down with chemtool and a stainless wire brush. Out of neurosis I coated the pigtail connections with loctite brand C5-a copper anti-sieze/lube (it's electrically conductive).

There was a slight grey ashing all over the sensor nub which came off with scrubbing , and a little bit of reddish "crust" closer to the threads that didn't. I didn't expect anything but after installing the sensor (and CV axle) the car now pulls from ~10mph to highway speed like a runaway locomotive!

Unless it was the new CV boots the only thing I can attribute to the change (a more "torquey" feel) is the O2 cleaning. I didn't have a CEL light before this and I replaced 2 injectors about 2k miles ago. I didn't disconnect the battery to change the CV boots so the ECU wasn't reset. I can only surmise that the cleaning of either the sensor nub or the pigtail was the cause of the "improvement", though it may just mean that I've been used to driving a dog of an engine for the past 8 months.

BTW, after my injector replacement the car still idles sooooo smoothly that it doesn't even ripple my coffee in the cupholder. With the previous bad injectors the coffee would literally spill from the cup.

[Legacy777]

That's good to hear the engine runs better. I think a good check over the next several weeks is to check your fuel mileage and compare it to what you were getting.