The oxygen (O2) sensor is an important part of your European automobile’s exhaust system. This is the part that keeps track of how much oxygen is being released in your vehicle’s exhaust. If there is too much or too little oxygen in the exhaust, the main computer chip will make adjustments to the air or fuel in the combustion chamber to correct the problem. Unfortunately, if the O2 sensor goes bad, RB Auto Service advises that you will experience one or more of the following problems.
Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
If the main computer chip incorrectly increases the amount of fuel in the combustion chamber when it doesn’t need it, you may end up with black exhaust smoke pouring out of your European automobile’s tailpipe. This is because the engine is burning through the excess fuel.
Engine Performance Problems
This can also cause engine performance problems such as surging or bucking. If the chip incorrectly increases the amount of air in the combustion chamber, you may end up with a sputtering engine that is slow to accelerate and perform, especially at higher speeds.
Fuel Efficiency Reduction
Any imbalance between the air and fuel in the combustion chamber can cause a noticeable reduction in your vehicle’s fuel economy. Unfortunately, this is because the engine is not running efficiently. Consequently, it will burn through more gasoline or diesel fuel than necessary.
High Vehicle Emissions
We don’t have vehicle emissions requirements here in Florida, but if you live in a state that does, the faulty oxygen sensor can also affect your vehicle’s emissions. If there is too much fuel in the combustion chamber, there will be excess hydrocarbons in the exhaust.
Rotten Egg Exhaust Odors
Too much fuel can also cause premature death for your European automobile’s catalytic converter. As it filters through the vehicle’s exhaust to convert dangerous toxins into safer ones, it will eventually become clogged and you will smell rotten eggs.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, all of these symptoms might be matched with the check engine warning on your vehicle’s dashboard. The check engine light is an indication that the main computer chip has received an error code from the malfunctioning O2 sensor and, as such, it is giving you a warning of trouble.
Call RB Auto Service in Pinellas Park, FL, today if you are experiencing any of the problems listed above in your European automobile. We can run a diagnostic test to determine the problem and, if it is the oxygen sensor, we can replace it.