It’s amazing how a tiny little sensor can affect your engine so much, but this is the case with the oxygen (O2) sensor. Tasked with measuring the oxygen levels in the exhaust, this sensor lasts, on average, anywhere from 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Once the sensor goes bad, you will notice significant problems that we will list below. Don’t worry. The Shop Tire and Service Center can help.
Black Engine Exhaust
One of the first things that might happen is you may end up with black exhaust pouring out of your tailpipe. This is an indication that the O2 sensor is malfunctioning and reporting incorrect oxygen levels to the main computer chip. Consequently, the chip may think that the combustion chamber needs more fuel when it doesn’t. As the excess fuel burns, it produces black exhaust.
Burning Sulfur Odors
Too much fuel being burned can also load the vehicle’s exhaust with hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons overload the catalytic converter and cause it to malfunction. When this happens, you will detect the unpleasant odor of rotten eggs. This is burning sulfur. Unfortunately, you will continue to smell these odors until you replace the faulty O2 sensor.
High Emissions Levels
Naturally, the hydrocarbons will also increase your vehicle’s emissions levels. If you live in a state where there is emissions testing, your car, truck, or utility vehicle will fail the test because it is releasing too many harmful emissions. Again, you will have this problem until you replace the malfunctioning O2 sensor.
Loss of Fuel Efficiency
If your automobile is burning too much fuel, you will notice a significant loss in your vehicle’s fuel economy. Unfortunately, this is a byproduct of a dying O2 sensor. If you find that you are heading to the service station more often than normal, it’s possible that your fuel economy is being affected by the oxygen sensor.
Performance Trouble
A faulty O2 sensor can also affect how your engine performs. For example, when the engine is burning too much fuel, it will surge and pick up speed sporadically. If the engine has too much air in the combustion chamber, it will sputter and struggle.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, all of these symptoms may be accompanied by a dashboard warning. In this case, it will be the check engine light that is shining on your dashboard.
Call The Shop Tire and Service Center in Elk River, MN, today if your vehicle is experiencing any of the symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor listed above. We can replace the sensor if it needs it.