Having replaced the o2 sensor in the last two weeks but before replacing the distributor, I again have a code 45...Rich exhaust indication, sensor voltage stays high after 1 minute of engine run.

Yesterday the van ran smoothly going to work, about 20 miles to the jobsite. I did have a brief flash of the check engine light while stopped at a light but nothing else noticeable that morning. About 6 miles from home it did not want to accelerate from a light but once going was fine 'till the next light.

Bad 02 sensor from NAPA?:banghead:
Issues that I have yet to diagnose causing a new sensor to go bad?:banghead:

I didn't have this kind of problem with the old sensor, I replaced it while doing other things figuring it hadn't been replaced during the life of the van. The old sensor didn't look bad other than having its head stuck in an exhaust manifold.

Thanks for all the input so far.

Normally a bad O2 sensor will trip either a code 13 (O2 shorted) or code 61 (O2 degraded) or both code 44 and 45 (system lean and rich). A code 45 may indicate that the O2 is doing it's job telling you the van is running rich.

Richtazz is right. Find out why the engine is running rich(leaking fuel injectors are common on '95 and down engines).

Richtazz is right. Find out why the engine is running rich(leaking fuel injectors are common on '95 and down engines).

Would this include leaky '95 TBs as well?

by TB, do you mean throttle body? If so, a leaky throttle body will normally cause a lean condition, due to the extra air getting in through the leak.

by TB, do you mean throttle body? If so, a leaky throttle body will normally cause a lean condition, due to the extra air getting in through the leak.

Yes, thanks, that would be a throttle body I am currently scrutinizing everything under the hood that could be suspect.