2001 Ford Taurus P0133 Code After Rust Proofing - Could Rust Treatment Have Caused It?
I recently had my 2001 Ford Taurus undergo a rustproofing treatment, and the very next day I noticed the check engine light was illuminated. I took the car to Auto Zone for a diagnostic test, which revealed a P0133 code — indicating a problem with the oxygen sensor. I'm wondering if this issue could have been caused by the rustproofing process itself. The treatment may have disturbed the sensor wiring or coated the sensor housing, especially if tar-based sprays were used. Since oxygen sensors require an internal supply of oxygen to function properly and rely on clean connections and wires, any contamination or physical damage during the rustproofing could interfere with their operation. I'd like to confirm whether this is a plausible cause.
The 'next day' timing is notable — was it an old tar-based spray? What specific rustproofing method was used? If tar or chemical sprays were applied, they could have contaminated the oxygen sensor or even physically damaged its wiring or housing. "An oxygen supply inside the HO2S is necessary for proper operation. The HO2-SENS wires provide this oxygen. Inspect the HO2S wires and connections for breaks or contamination." Please share more details about the rustproofing process so we can assess whether it's a likely cause.