What are the effects of a faulty front oxygen sensor on a car?
1 Answers
When the front oxygen sensor in a car fails, it not only causes the vehicle's exhaust emissions to exceed standards but also worsens the engine's operating conditions, leading to symptoms such as stalling at idle, inaccurate engine operation, and reduced power. This is because the oxygen sensor is a critical component of the electronic fuel injection control system. Below are the relevant details: 1. Function of the sensor: The front oxygen sensor detects the oxygen concentration in the engine's exhaust gases and transmits the obtained information as an electrical signal to the ECU. The ECU then uses this oxygen concentration data to perform feedback control on the air-fuel ratio. This not only effectively controls the amount of exhaust emissions, thereby reducing the vehicle's environmental pollution, but also improves the quality of fuel combustion in the engine, which helps reduce fuel consumption. 2. Oxygen sensor poisoning: Oxygen sensor poisoning is a common and difficult-to-prevent issue, especially in cars that frequently use leaded gasoline. Even a new oxygen sensor may only last a few thousand kilometers under such conditions. 3. Treatment for oxygen sensor poisoning: If the poisoning is only mild, using a tank of unleaded gasoline can remove the lead from the sensor's surface and restore normal operation. However, excessive exhaust temperatures often cause the lead to penetrate the sensor's interior, obstructing the diffusion of oxygen ions and rendering the sensor ineffective. In such cases, replacement is the only solution.
