If you drive an older automobile, your oxygen (O2) sensor is designed to last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles. In years, this translates to three to five years. Newer automobiles can get more mileage out of their O2 sensors. They last up to 100,000 miles or seven to 10 years. Bird Automotive lists the signs your oxygen sensor is going bad below. Bring your car, truck, or utility vehicle to our shop if you notice any of the following problems.
Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
A faulty O2 sensor can create excess black exhaust indirectly. The engine control module (ECM) uses data provided by the O2 sensor to determine how much fuel needs to be in the combustion chamber. If the data is skewed, the ECM might put too much fuel in the chamber and this causes excess exhaust.
Burning Sulfur Smells in the Exhaust
Too much fuel can also overload the catalytic converter. When this happens, the converter clogs and malfunctions. Consequently, you will end up with burning sulfur smells in your vehicle’s exhaust. This odor is similar to the odor of rotten eggs. You may also smell this odor in your engine bay.
Engine Hesitation, Skipping, or Bucking
Aside from placing too much fuel in the combustion chamber, skewed data can also cause the ECM to direct too much air into the chamber. When this happens, you end up with a sluggish and hesitating engine. Too much fuel will encourage the engine to pick up speed unexpectedly and buck.
Illuminated Check Engine Light
The imbalance of the combustible materials in the chamber will also cause the ECM to turn on the check engine light. Another reason why an O2 sensor turns on the check engine light is an error code from the sensor itself. A diagnostic test will point us directly to the cause of the check engine warning.
Noticeable Reduction in Fuel Economy
The imbalance of combustible materials will also affect your automobile’s fuel economy. Even if there is more air than fuel in the combustion chamber, the engine will burn through gasoline or diesel fuel quickly as it struggles to run. Replacing the O2 sensor will restore your gas mileage.
Unusually High Emissions Levels
Finally, your vehicle’s emissions levels will be affected by the malfunctioning O2 sensor. If the engine is burning excess fuel, you will end up with excess hydrocarbons in the exhaust and, as a result, your car, truck, or utility vehicle will fail any emissions test it takes.
Bird Automotive in Oak Grove, MO, is here to help, so call us today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if you think the oxygen sensor has gone bad.
