The oxygen sensor is also called the O2 sensor, and it plays an important role in your vehicle’s exhaust system. Dad’s Automotive advises that the O2 sensor collects oxygen data so the engine control unit (ECU) always knows how much oxygen is in your vehicle’s exhaust. This allows the ECU to adjust the air and fuel levels in the combustion chamber when it is necessary. Below, you will read six signs that the O2 sensor is malfunctioning in your automobile.
1. Check Engine Light Warning
When the O2 sensor goes bad, it may send skewed data to the ECU. It will also send an error code to the ECU. This can cause all kinds of problems that we will discuss below, and it will also cause the ECU to turn on the check engine light. A faulty O2 sensor is a common reason why this light turns on.
2. Engine Performance Trouble
If the ECU makes unnecessary adjustments to the air and fuel in the combustion chamber because the O2 sensor is sending incorrect data, you will start to have engine performance problems. Your engine may start to sputter and struggle to run, and your acceleration may start to lag. You may also have problems with the engine surging and picking up speed unexpectedly.
3. Noticeably Poor Gas Mileage
These performance issues will cause a noticeable reduction in your car, truck, or C/SUV’s gas mileage. This is because the engine is using excess fuel in its effort to run or burning excess fuel when it surges. Unfortunately, you will head to the service station more often for gasoline.
4. Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
One thing that can happen if the ECU adds excess fuel to the combustion chamber is that your catalytic converter can get clogged with carbon and sulfur deposits. This will prevent the catalytic converter from being able to treat your exhaust. As a consequence, you will end up with black exhaust smoke. This smoke is also the result of the engine burning away the excess fuel.
5. High Vehicle Emission Levels
In addition, your vehicle will have unusually high emissions in its exhaust. This can be a huge problem if you live in a state that requires emissions testing to register your vehicle.
6. Exhaust That Smells Rancid
Finally, your exhaust may also smell rancid if the catalytic converter is malfunctioning because of the faulty O2 sensor. Your exhaust will smell like rotten eggs.
Call Dad’s Automotive in New Era, MI, today if you suspect that your automobile needs a new O2 sensor. We can test the sensor and replace it if it has gone bad.