Oxyen Sensor, To Change or Not to Change?

[Pss2]

My engine light is on yesterday while driving so I drove my mechanical and he pluck it onto the computer. After diagnose, it's actually the oxygen sensor that mal-function. Repair cost will be $400 plus and mechanic asked me not to waste money as my car is 10 months to scrap. I just want to hold on to my car till scrap next year. Anyone experience same problem? Anyone can give advice here?

[Mkl22]

check out the part number and buy from ebay. o2 sensors are not ex. the mark up probably is. you can leave it as it is. but probably the fuel consumption will be higher. say 20% less mileage per tank?

[Ken1898]

My engine light is on yesterday while driving so I drove my mechanical and he pluck it onto the computer. After diagnose, it's actually the oxygen sensor that mal-function. Repair cost will be $400 plus and mechanic asked me not to waste money as my car is 10 months to scrap. I just want to hold on to my car till scrap next year. Anyone experience same problem? Anyone can give advice here?

 

What car are you driving?

[Yeobh]

My engine light is on yesterday while driving so I drove my mechanical and he pluck it onto the computer. After diagnose, it's actually the oxygen sensor that mal-function. Repair cost will be $400 plus and mechanic asked me not to waste money as my car is 10 months to scrap. I just want to hold on to my car till scrap next year. Anyone experience same problem? Anyone can give advice here?

 

Oxygen sensor job is to monitor the air fuel ratio when during starting and running the engine. When you start and run the engine , the fuel supply default is rich , it's know as close loop. Once the engine temp reached the min operating level , the sensor will switch from close to open loop ( lean mixture ).

If the sensor is faulty, there will be no voltage change in the sensor and therefore no signal is send to the on-board computer to do the switching from close to open loop. At this close loop status , the engine will continue to run on rich mixture - in money term you will have a higher yr petrol bill per month than yr normal.

[Fuelsaver]

 

Oxygen sensor job is to monitor the air fuel ratio when during starting and running the engine. When you start and run the engine , the fuel supply default is rich , it's know as close loop. Once the engine temp reached the min operating level , the sensor will switch from close to open loop ( lean mixture ).

If the sensor is faulty, there will be no voltage change in the sensor and therefore no signal is send to the on-board computer to do the switching from close to open loop. At this close loop status , the engine will continue to run on rich mixture - in money term you will have a higher yr petrol bill per month than yr normal.

is it the same as "limp mode"?

[ExigeTan]

Mine has been spoiled for the last 5 weeks plus -

 

fuel consumption marginal difference - maybe 20 km - 30 km per full tank (if it is even that much)

 

With only 10 months left, I wouldn't worry about it - don't replace.

 

Unless you want to go to boleh land - can do for RM600-700 or so

[Pss2]

 

Oxygen sensor job is to monitor the air fuel ratio when during starting and running the engine. When you start and run the engine , the fuel supply default is rich , it's know as close loop. Once the engine temp reached the min operating level , the sensor will switch from close to open loop ( lean mixture ).

If the sensor is faulty, there will be no voltage change in the sensor and therefore no signal is send to the on-board computer to do the switching from close to open loop. At this close loop status , the engine will continue to run on rich mixture - in money term you will have a higher yr petrol bill per month than yr normal.

 

Will it damage or choke the catalytic convertor? Sorry if this is a dumb question as I have no idea on how it works.

[Yeobh]

It's best to do a more direct simulation test than just depend on the ODB2 hand held tester indication. Most of the after market OBD2 tester may not have the data base info and info generated can cover a wide area in the fuel system ( for this case on O2 sensor)

[Yeobh]

is it the same as "limp mode"?

 

Yes overtime if the driver continue to ignore the warning, the on-board computer will swtich to limp mode, the driver will not be able to re-start the engine once it is switch off.

PS this apply to mainly high end cars, for BnB especially Asian cars chances this will not happen.

 

Will it damage or choke the catalytic convertor? Sorry if this is a dumb question as I have no idea on how it works.

 

Yes running on high fuel mixture is bad for the health of the cat convertor.

 

[Pss2]

 

Yes overtime if the driver continue to ignore the warning, the on-board computer will swtich to limp mode, the driver will not be able to re-start the engine once it is switch off.

PS this apply to mainly high end cars, for BnB especially Asian cars chances this will not happen.

 

Yes running on high fuel mixture is bad for the health of the cat convertor.

 

 

I just hope it can last 10 months or another 70k mileage

[ExigeTan]

 

I just hope it can last 10 months or another 70k mileage

You're doing 7 k a month?

 

At that sort of mileage it might be more worthwhile replacing...go JB can probably save a bit and have it done.

[Pss2]

You're doing 7 k a month?

 

At that sort of mileage it might be more worthwhile replacing...go JB can probably save a bit and have it done.

Oh sorry... I mean 7000km for 10 months

[ExigeTan]

Oh sorry... I mean 7000km for 10 months

Oh...in that case - seriously I wouldn't bother doing anything.

 

7000 km is hardly anything at all. The cost of the O2 sensor will be more than any potential savings

[Pss2]

Oh...in that case - seriously I wouldn't bother doing anything.

 

7000 km is hardly anything at all. The cost of the O2 sensor will be more than any potential savings

 

ok thanks. If that is the case, I will not do anything as advised by the mechanic. I just don't feel comfy seeing the engine light on while driving.

[Watwheels]

Go to car scrapyard and try your luck lor.

[Kb27]

 

Will it damage or choke the catalytic convertor? Sorry if this is a dumb question as I have no idea on how it works.

 

(upstream) O2 sensor is monitoring fuel-air mix.

As it ages, it loses its "sensitivity" or totally go dead.

If your fuel consumption is not affected badly and your car only a few more months, then you can disregard the problem.

 

Overfuelling may damage the cat converter, but if your COE is expiring you can ignore it as well.

Worst case scenario is to gut the cat out, if it clogged up.

[Beregond]

My engine light is on yesterday while driving so I drove my mechanical and he pluck it onto the computer. After diagnose, it's actually the oxygen sensor that mal-function. Repair cost will be $400 plus and mechanic asked me not to waste money as my car is 10 months to scrap. I just want to hold on to my car till scrap next year. Anyone experience same problem? Anyone can give advice here?

some car come with 2 -4 sensor, u need to confirm which 1.

 

and some model the sensor is fix onto the exhaust, with 9 years on the car there is very high chance when u uninstall that sensor the thread on the exhaust is damage, or worst case, it break 1/2 inside.

 

the cost your mech quote u , better check properly in case compication arises, they say other thing damage need extra,

[Yeobh]

some car come with 2 -4 sensor, u need to confirm which 1.

 

and some model the sensor is fix onto the exhaust, with 9 years on the car there is very high chance when u uninstall that sensor the thread on the exhaust is damage, or worst case, it break 1/2 inside.

 

the cost your mech quote u , better check properly in case compication arises, they say other thing damage need extra,

 

Right most of the time either the sensor break away from the threaded body or the female thread in the exhaust is damaged. Oiling and using a small impact nut drive may helps to loosen up the sensor and if necessary the femal theard need to be chased to get ride of all the rusts and dirts.