I don't know about the "blown out" part of this problem,
but running with a bad or missing O2 sensor is going to mean loss of power and
BAD gas mileage.
Check your tail pipe, it's probably black from a too rich mixture.

David Beierl wrote:
>
> At 13:56 5/1/2000, James Ruch wrote:
> >02 sensor out; hole open:  inefficient but okay power
> >02 sensor out; plug in:  catastrophic power loss (dead stop on hill).
>
> That's bizarre, but I'd sure want to check out the CAT and make sure it's
> not plugged before going further.
>
> david
> David Beierl - Providence, RI
>   http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
> '85 GL "Poor Relation"