Did you know that your automobile’s engine performance can be affected by a faulty oxygen (O2) sensor? It can. Ashton Automotive & Performance can replace the O2 sensor in your automobile when it goes bad. The average lifespan of an oxygen sensor in newer automobiles ranges between 90,000 miles and 100,000 miles. If you drive a classic that has an O2 sensor, it may go bad approximately every 30,000 miles. Below, are signs that your O2 sensor has gone bad.
Check Engine Warning
Generally, when the O2 sensor malfunctions, it sends a malfunctioning code to the engine control module (ECM). The module assesses the air to determine if it can fix it. It cannot replace the oxygen sensor, so it turns on the check engine warning light.
Reduced Engine Performance
As we mentioned above, a malfunctioning O2 sensor can reduce your engine’s performance. You may find that your engine is sputtering and lagging constantly or when you are driving at faster speeds. This is a sign that the O2 sensor has falsely convinced the ECM to add air to the combustion chamber.
Surging Engine Performance
Misreadings of exhaust oxygen levels can also cause the O2 sensor to convince the ECM to add fuel to the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, if the chamber did not need the extra fuel, your engine is going to start surging as the excess fuel is burned away. This isn’t the only problem the excess fuel can cause.
Noticeable Loss of Gas Mileage
Unfortunately, burning away excess fuel can also reduce your vehicle’s gas mileage as can the sputtering problems discussed above. The faulty O2 sensor has caused unnecessary adjustments in the combustion chamber that have affected your engine’s efficiency. Consequently, the vehicle will lose gas mileage.
Exhaust That Smells Rancid
Another thing that too much fuel in the chamber can do is clog the catalytic converter prematurely. Any time there is excess fuel in the chamber, the catalytic converter must treat excess hydrocarbons. Consequently, sulfur will build up inside the converter and your exhaust will smell rancid.
Exhaust Smoke That Is Black
The exhaust smoke will also go from being clear to being black as it exits your tailpipe. This is an indication that the catalytic converter is clogged and/or that the engine is burning too much fuel.
Increased Emissions Levels
In addition, the emissions in your vehicle’s exhaust will increase because of the imbalance of fuel and air in the combustion chamber. As you can see, a bad O2 sensor can cause numerous problems.
Call Ashton Automotive & Performance in Killeen, TX, today so we can check the O2 sensor and replace it if necessary.
