re O2 Sensors & Silicone - questions

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

 "Dave C." <conner@cfm.ohio-state.edu> asked:

Hmmm...
So it doesn't matter where the silicone is used, if it gets sucked into the
engine it will kill the O2 sensor?
Burning in the combustion chamber won't change this?

In this case, Brian sprayed the intake boot w/ silicone, so his O2 sensor
is dead.  If he puts a new O2 sensor in it will die too if the same boot is
still on with the silicone on it...right?  
So what does he have to do?
Remove the boot and clean it?
Will the silicone disipate in time?  How long will it take?
-----------------------------
Before yanking out your O2 sensor, observe its output voltage with a high
impedance VTVM or oscilloscope.  If you don't have any air leaks, it should
read about 0.7 volts at idle (when warmed up), dropping toward 0.3 volts if
you lean the engine (pull the dip stick) and rising higher than 0.7 if you
richen the engine (rev it).  If it seems to behave normally don't worry
about the O2 sensor, just wipe up any silicone oil that is likely to migrate
to the sensor via the engine.  These warnings, that originate from Bosch,
and which we are still trying to define better, are best applied to future
behavior than definite evidence of O2 sensor failure.

                .... Kirby   (Kirby A. Smith)
                              2 x 1988 90q
                          New Hampshire USA