2 Signs Your Car's Oxygen Sensor Is Going Bad
If you have noticed that your car's check engine light is on, you may have tried to figure out what is wrong without success. If this is the case, look for the following signs that the light is illuminating because your car's oxygen (O2) sensor is going bad.
1. Engine Exhibits a Decrease in Performance
One of the first signs that you will notice when your car's O2 sensor is going bad is a marked decrease in engine performance. You may notice rough idling of the engine while you are sitting at a stoplight. Eventually, you may also find that your vehicle slows down considerably while trying to climb a hill due to a lack of power.
When the sensor is working properly, it correctly mixes air and fuel at the proper proportions for your car's motor. However, if too much air is mixing with the fuel, there is not enough octane reaching the engine. When this happens, your vehicle will lose power because it is not getting enough gas.
As the sensor's condition worsens, your engine may start running roughly even while you are driving straight. There is a chance that it could start to stall. Luckily, diagnosis of the problem is as easy as having a mechanic hook up a handheld diagnostic machine, so if you find that your engine isn't running right, have this done to avoid this problem.
2. Rotten Egg Smell Is Detected While Driving
Along with mixing too much air with the fuel, a failing O2 sensor can also not mix enough into the line. If this happens, the fuel's concentration as it runs through your motor means that too much gas is being burned.
If this is the case, you may notice that your car has started to backfire and push black exhaust through the tailpipe. However, this could also be a sign of a problem with the motor's oil.
A telltale sign that these signs are caused by overuse of fuel is a strong rotten egg odor that you detect while driving. Since a byproduct of fuel igniting is sulfur, the increase in its concentration from burning too much gas will cause the overpowering smell.
If your check engine light is on, and your car is showing one or both of the signs above, there is a good chance that the vehicle's O2 sensor is malfunctioning. Take your car to an auto repair service so that they can diagnose the problem and replace the sensor is they find that it is the culprit. For more information, visit sites like http://www.autorepairhighdesert.com/.