What Causes an Oxygen Sensor to Fail?
2 Answers
The following are detailed explanations of the reasons for oxygen sensor failure: 1. Poor fuel quality: If the fuel added to the car is of excessively low quality, it will not burn effectively in the engine cylinders, resulting in a significant amount of harmful substances and impurities in the exhaust gases, which can damage the car's oxygen sensor. In this case, higher-quality fuel should be used, and a bottle of fuel additive should be added to clean the fuel tank every 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers of driving. 2. Spark plug failure: When the spark plugs fail and cannot ignite properly, the fuel and air mixture in the engine cylinders will not burn effectively, leading to an increased amount of harmful substances and impurities that can damage the oxygen sensor. In this case, the wear level of the spark plugs should be checked, and the working voltage of the ignition coil should be tested to ensure it is normal. If necessary, new spark plugs should be replaced. 3. Catalytic converter failure: The catalytic converter converts toxic gases in the car's exhaust into harmless substances through its oxidation-reduction function. If the catalytic converter fails and cannot function properly, the oxygen sensor will also be damaged accordingly. In this case, the catalytic converter should be repaired at a repair shop.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I often encounter issues with faulty oxygen sensors. The most common cause is long-term wear and aging, where the sensor tip gets coated with oil sludge or carbon deposits after prolonged use, leading to inaccurate data readings. Additionally, poor fuel quality or improper maintenance can cause carbon buildup that clogs the sensor, resulting in signal drift. Another issue is exhaust system leaks, where coolant or engine oil seeps in and corrodes the components. When the sensor fails, I notice symptoms like sluggish acceleration, a sudden spike in fuel consumption, and the dashboard warning light turning on. This isn't just inconvenient—it also leads to extra costs. So, I recommend regularly inspecting the exhaust system, using high-quality gasoline, and avoiding frequent short trips with constant stop-start cycles to extend its lifespan. Replacing a new sensor costs a few hundred bucks, but don't delay repairs to prevent more expensive engine problems down the line.
