What Causes Engine Emission Faults?
2 Answers
Engine emission faults can be caused by sensor issues, maintenance problems, fuel quality issues, poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture, etc. The details are as follows: Sensor Issues: When the water temperature sensor, crankshaft position sensor, air flow sensor, intake air temperature sensor, or oxygen sensor is damaged, has poor contact, or experiences signal interruption, the car's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data. Maintenance Problems: Failure to perform regular maintenance and poor driving habits can increase the operational burden on the engine. Fuel Quality Issues: The fuel added to the car must meet specified octane ratings. Failure to use the required fuel can cause engine wear. Poor Combustion of the Air-Fuel Mixture: This can lead to engine carbon buildup or knocking issues, which the engine's oxygen sensor will detect.
Last time when the engine emission warning light came on, I panicked while driving and immediately checked for possible causes. Common issues include a faulty oxygen sensor, which monitors oxygen levels in the exhaust pipe and provides feedback to the ECU for adjusting the fuel mixture ratio; or a clogged catalytic converter that fails to effectively filter pollutants; carbon buildup in the EGR valve can also disrupt exhaust gas recirculation. Poor fuel quality shouldn’t be overlooked either—low-grade fuel with excessive impurities may clog fuel injectors, causing an imbalanced air-fuel mixture. Once, I even discovered an air leak in the intake system, allowing unmetered air to enter and leading to calculation errors. For daily maintenance, it’s best to schedule regular upkeep, such as cleaning the throttle body and sensors every six months to prevent minor issues from escalating. Diagnosis is straightforward—just use an OBD tool to scan for trouble codes, saving time, money, and ensuring peace of mind.