I have a 1996 Ram Truck 5.9L V8 4x4. It has 212K miles on it and for the most part runs well. I have been living with a reoccurring Check Engine light for many years now that is always from a P0133 code. I have been through many o2 sensors and the problem always comes back. I am also onto my 3rd catalytic converter as well. The check engine light always comes on when I'm stuck in traffic or at the drive in window at the bank or similar. Basically whenever I am idling in drive with my foot on the brake. I am tired of replacing o2 sensors and would like to get to the root of the problem. I joined this forum with hope that some of you guys may have experienced this problem and can give me some suggestions on getting it fixed once and for all. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need more info about the problem to help diagnose. Right now the check engine light is on with a P0133 code and the truck has some hesitation that it didn't have a week ago. The last o2 sensor I put in it was the precat sensor and it was a Bosch part that had a 1year warranty that I can probably get replaced for free. However I believe something else is making these sensors fail if they are in fact failed.
Thanks again
Jeff O'Brien

 

I would check:
plenum gasket- does it use much oil?
injectors
map sensor

Burning oil or running rich plays hell on o2 sensors and catalytic converters.

 

^ x1, yeah sounds like a gasket problem or a mix of all of them. you gotta take into account that your truck passed the 200,000 mark, so id try a bottle of seafoam in the gas tank to see if that clears out you injectors even if they arent plugged. Burning any oil?

 

P0133 OBD-II Trouble Code
Technical Description
Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank1, Sensor1)
What does that mean?
This involves the front oxygen sensor on Bank 1. This code indicates the engine air fuel ratio is not being adjusted by the oxygen sensor signal or the ECM as expected to do so, or not adjusted as often as expected to do so once the engine is warmed or under normal engine use.
Symptoms
You will likely not notice any drivability problems, although there may be symptoms.
Causes
A code P0133 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
[ul][*]The oxygen sensor is faulty[*]The wiring to the sensor is broken / frayed[*]There is an exhaust leak [/ul]
Possible Solutions
The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.
If the code comes back, the problem is more than likely the front Bank 1 oxygen sensor. You will likely wind up replacing it but you should also consider these possible solutions:
[ul][*]Check and fix any exhaust leaks[*]Check for wiring problems (shorted, frayed wires)[*]Check the frequency and amplitude of the oxygen sensor (advanced)[*]Check for a deteriorating / contaminated oxygen sensor, replace if necessary[*]Check for inlet air leaks[*]Check the MAF sensor for proper operation [/ul]


Hope this helps

 

These would all be logical causes except for the fact it seems like he was saying that after he replaced the sensor is was alright for a while and then the problem came back. The sensor is somehowgetting fouled .