Are these O2 sensors ruined?

[JohnK]

I'm ready to install the O2 sensors in my headers. I went down to the basement to retrieve them from the large box of parts that came with the coyote engine. Upon examining them, I was surprised at what I saw. The warning in the Ford control pack instruction sheet are pretty clear:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=152493&d=1629590842

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw that the O2 sensors don't have any sort of protective cap on the tip, and the anti-seize that Ford applied to the threads is now all over the inside of the bags and all over the sensors themselves. Is this how they all ship? are these things ruined or can I just clean them off with something (acetone? alcohol?) and use them?

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=152492&d=1629590842

[edwardb]

Wipe the anti-seize off the elements (leaving it on the threads) and install them. I personally don't think any solvent is required. Mine were in the bag and looked about that. I think the warning would be if you installed them with the anti-seize still on the sensor portion and it was able to heat/burn/whatever and potentially damage them. And FWIW, the system would throw codes if the O2 sensors weren't functioning properly.

[JohnK]

Thank you. My main concern was that the bags say that they're not returnable if opened, and they're like $80/ea. so if I was going to reach out to Ford for assistance I'd rather do that before opening the bags. But if "they're all like that" then I'll wipe them down and give them a go.

[edwardb]

Thank you. My main concern was that the bags say that they're not returnable if opened, and they're like $80/ea. so if I was going to reach out to Ford for assistance I'd rather do that before opening the bags. But if "they're all like that" then I'll wipe them down and give them a go.

By all means call them if you're not comfortable with opening.

[JohnK]

By all means call them if you're not comfortable with opening.

Too late. :D

[Railroad]

I would not be afraid to clean them with some O2 sensor safe throttle body or carb cleaner. Spray the rag and wipe.

[klawrence]

Mine looked similar, i just wiped off the tips quick with a dry blue shop towel and installed, they are working fine.

[NAZ]

No worries John, wipe the excess off and run em. I run wide band sensors with leaded race gas and the worst that can happen is I don't get 50,000 miles out of them.

[JimLev]

The actual sensor is inside the metal can at the tip.