My Engine light is on. I think it might need an O2 sensor replaced.
When a Check Engine Light is illuminated it can be scanned by a tool. The code that gets read by the computer signifies what needs to be changed/replaced. An O2 sensor code quite possibly may be the case, but a mechanic can be certain by proper diagnosis of the Check Engine Light codes. After diagnosis, they will be able to pinpoint exactly what needs to be repaired.
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It is best to replace O2 sensors in pairs. For example, if you replace the downstream left sensor, you should also replace the downstream right. However, on most vehicles produced since 1996, replacing one sensor (especially the front engine monitoring sensor) will cause the ECU to set a code for the other sensors.
Oxygen sensors are not among the maintenance items that need to be replaced regularly, such as oil and air filters, so they typically are replaced only when they fail.
Generally, oxygen (O2) sensors last about 30,000-to-50,000 miles if you have an older car. Newer sensors can go 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced.
Traditionally, there are a couple of O2 sensors on your Silverado – Upstream and Downstream. They are located in different places but have the same functionality. You can find the Upstream O2 sensor on the exhaust manifold, while the downstream one is hidden under the catalytic converter system.
The oxygen or lambda sensor is one of the most important and one of the most misunderstood components of a modern fuel injection system.
Your car has at least two sensors, and when one of them goes bad, you need to do something about it. Can you clean an oxygen sensor? No, despite what you might have heard or read, such sensors should be replaced when they become faulty.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of An Oxygen Sensor? The life expectancy of an oxygen sensor is typically 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Even under normal operating conditions, oxygen sensors must endure a constant barrage of harm- ful exhaust gases, extreme heat and high velocity particulates.
A bad oxygen sensor could cause sluggish and rough driving with stalls, along with poor fuel efficiency and high pollution. And if you leave it there for several months, it may lead to serious problems in the engine and catalytic converter which cost thousands of dollars to fix or replace.
If you`re ever riding on the highway and smell something harsh from your car, that could be a quick sign that your O2 sensor is failing. If you ever begin to pick up on some changes like bad powertrain performance, engine misfires, or loud noises, that could be a symptom of your O2 sensor probably having issues.
There are two types of O2 sensors on your vehicle: upstream and downstream sensors. They essentially serve the same purpose, but are located in the different parts of your Silverado. The downstream oxygen sensor is located behind your catalytic converter.
Trouble Code:
P0138 Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage
Threaded into your vehicle`s exhaust pipes or exhaust manifold is a heated oxygen sensor (HO2S), which monitors your exhaust to see if the engine is running on too much fuel and not enough air or vice versa.
Bank One is always the bank where cylinder number one is located. On the Corvette it will always be the driver side. Bank Two is the passenger side. Sensor 1 on Corvettes is always the sensor that is closest to the exhaust port of the engine.
Poor Engine Performance
Will a bad O2 sensor cause rough idle and loss of engine power? You bet. Moreover, you may also notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and even stalling. Bad oxygen sensors disrupt all kinds of essential engine functions, including engine timing, combustion intervals, and air-fuel ratio.
Why do O2 sensors fail? Since the oxygen sensor is in the exhaust stream, it can become contaminated. Common sources of contamination include an excessively rich fuel mixture condition or oil blow-by in an older engine and engine coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber as a result of an engine gasket leak.
Poor Fuel Economy
The oxygen sensor can affect how much fuel your vehicle`s engine burns. By measuring oxygen levels in the exhaust, the O2 sensor helps to ensure your automobile meters and delivers the correct amount of fuel depending on the demands you place on the engine.
A: Pretty much all of the O2 sensors are 22 mm (7/8″). From the description next to the picture: “Common 6 point, 7/8 in. (22mm) socket fits most oxygen sensors”.
Each oxygen sensor has its own unique characteristics specific to its application. One generic oxygen sensor that may appear to be the same cannot be used to replace a range of these specific oxygen sensors.
Typically, you cannot repair a faulty O2 sensor. It must be replaced because of the technology and materials in its housing. There are some DIY places that will tell you how to clean the sensor to get a few more miles out of it, but you`re only delaying the inevitable.
Your new O2 sensor should be handled like a piece of china. Do not allow the tip to touch anything—it may become contaminated. Apply a small amount of anti-seize to the threads and hand-tighten the sensor in the exhaust bung, being careful to keep the tip away from the sides.
Cycle the ignition OFF/ON 2 times with a 10 second pause in between key cycles. Check measured value block (MVB) 41/4 and 136/4 to verify they have both changed from a 1 to a 0. This forces the ECM to re-learn the O2 sensor adaptation.
The short answer is that our strongest gasoline fuel additive, B-12 Chemtool Total Fuel System Clean-Up (part #2616), and a good tune-up might indirectly solve your problems.
What effect do fuel additives and injector cleaners have on oxygen sensors? Fuel additives and injector cleaners that are labeled as “oxygen sensor safe” may be used in sensor-equipped vehicles. Use of additives not labeled as “oxygen sensor safe” can damage your oxygen sensor.
The catalytic converter, or cat for short, is responsible for removing harmful emissions from the exhaust. If the two O2 sensors collectively sense that the oxygen levels don`t change significantly after running through the cat, it`s a sign of a bad catalytic converter.
