What You Need To Know About Car Oxygen Sensor

Have no information about the oxygen sensors? The oxygen sensor, better known as lambda sensor, was invented in the 1960s by Dr. Gunter Bauman. It was primarily invented for the Robert Bosch GmbH company. This sensor works on electricity and is used to determine the proportional amount of oxygen in any liquid or gas. Ceramic coated with zirconia and platinum was used in the making of original oxygen sensor. For the O2 sensor to be better suited for mass production, planar oxygen sensors had to be developed. This modernized O2 sensor was developed to be used in the Honda Civic and Accord by the NTK. The current style of this sensor is more efficient than the original style sensor and is made using layers of high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) green tapes.

There may be more than one oxygen sensors in any vehicle. These sensors are placed in the exhaust stream of the vehicle. One of the sensors must be placed before the catalytic converter which is installed in the exhaust manifold. Another one or two sensors would be installed after the catalytic converter.

There are fundamentally two types of sensors: the universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor

and the binary sensor:

1. The Binary Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor - At its operating temperature (around 350 degree Celsius), a change in the electric voltage is generated by the binary sensor depending on the oxygen level in the exhaust. The residual oxygen content in the exhaust is compared with the oxygen level of ambient air by the binary sensor. It also identifies the transition from a lean mixture (excess air) to a rich mixture (lack of air) and vice versa.
2. The Universal Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor - For the purpose of measuring both, a rick and a lean air/fuel ratio, the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor is considered to be the most accurate sensor. It is suitable for being used in diesel and gas engines and has a wider measuring range. Currently, oxygen sensors which are heated are used to make sure that the oxygen sensors reach operating temperature quicker and therefore intervene earlier in the process of emission control. This has reduced the need for heated HEGO sensors to be always installed close to the engine.

• Exhaust gases will always be produced by the internal combustion of the engine of any vehicle after the air and fuel mixture has ignited in its cylinders. Carbon, oxygen and many other elements are contained in these gases. A component called the oxygen sensor is present in the exhaust manifold, it tracks the level of oxygen present in the exhaust gases as they leave the engine. Usually, this is the oxygen that is left when the original air and fuel combustion burn.
• Now that the oxygen sensor detects the oxygen level, it transfers this information back to the engine control module. The central computer is responsible for the management of all the systems in the vehicle. It performs the task of communicating with a number of different sensors that are in them. The ECM receives the information regarding the oxygen level in the exhaust gases and stays updated about the engine burning too much fuel or too little fuel. For example, in case there is more air than fuel in the chamber cylinders, this leads to a lean combustion.
• More oxygen is present in the exhaust gases that emit from such a combustion. The computer makes adequate adjustments about the timing of the fuel injectors and the operations of the engine, once the oxygen sensor identifies and transfers data to the engine control module. It is only then the air and fuel mixture in the engine are perfect for combustion purposes.

A defective car oxygen sensor exhibits many signs such as the check engine lights flickering on, poor gas mileage, and a rough idle. The exhaust sensor performs the primary function of measuring the oxygen levels in the exhaust gases leaving the engine. This information enables the powertrain control module (PCM) to accurately determine the correct fuel ratio for the engine in real time. The sensor is placed in the exhaust system and enables the fuel injection and engine timing to work properly, which aids in emissions control. To maintain the correct air to fuel ratio for the engine, the oxygen transmitter transmits the information to the vehicle’s PCM. the engine performance and the environmental emissions will be negatively affected by a bad or faulty sensor, and to prevent the complete failure of the oxygen sensor, these signs should be taken as a warning:

1. Check engine light blinks on and off - One of the first signs of trouble is the illumination of the check engine light. This light will come on in case of a faulty or bad oxygen sensor. A professional automotive technician should be immediately contacted once for inspecting the check engine light, and diagnose the exact cause for this light coming on. There could be many different reasons for the light coming on, and in case of high mileage vehicles, there is a fairly good chance that it is because of a bad oxygen sensor which requires replacement.
2. Poor gas mileage and rotten egg odour - A bad oxygen sensor will affect the fuel-delivery and fuel-combustion systems as well. A reduction in the vehicle’s gas mileage is seen in many cases where a faulty oxygen sensor disrupts the fuel to air ratio mixture or if excess fuel is injected in the engine. The excess fuel in the engine would lead to the production of sulfuric, rotten egg smell and even black smoke from the exhaust in extreme cases. If the vehicle’s gas tank has to be filled more often and above the normal capacity, the oxygen sensor of the vehicle should be examined by a professional mechanic.
3. You are likely to notice rough engine idle and misfiring - There are some other signs of the oxygen sensor going bad including the vehicle running rough, misfiring or running irregularly during idling. Other problems such as engine performance issues, stalling, hesitation, loss of power. Since many functions such as engine timing, combustion intervals, air to fuel ratio is controlled by the oxygen sensor output, a bad sensor can disturb these engine functions, causing many engine-related problems.

Are you thinking of repairing your oxygen sensor on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your oxygen sensor. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work:- 

• Basic set of hand tools
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Oxygen sensor socket
• OBDII Scan tool
• Replacement oxygen sensor

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for oxygen sensor:

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the oxygen sensor related parts: 

• Oxygen sensor relay
• Oxygen sensor bung
• Oxygen sensor cable
• Oxygen sensor connector
• Fuel to air ratio sensor

Failure in the oxygen sensor comes in a lot of forms. But take note that it is not an inexpensive repair. Sometimes in the end you might find out that there is a need of complete oxygen sensor replacement. There is no fast and hard number as to how much would an oxygen sensor replacement would cost as it depends upon a lot of factors like the brand, make, model as well as the mechanic who is going to repair/replace it. The replacement costs are estimated to be around $321 and $456 while the labour costs can be estimated around $56 and $72. The cost of parts is around is $265 and $384.

Oxygen sensors are highly essential on a vehicle's engine management system. They hold the responsibility of regulating the air fuel mixture of the engine and their readings impact major engine operations like timing and air fuel mixture. Although, as time passes with normal usage, oxygen sensors start functioning with delayed responses and then fail. Usually, you are likely to notice reduced engine performance, fall in fuel efficiency, rough idle and misfiring when an oxygen sensor fails. A failure in the oxygen sensor also leads to an illuminated check engine light (specifying which sensor on what bank is damaged). Well, in most cases, changing the oxygen sensor is the most common solution. Also, it has a relatively easy procedure. Parts Avatar has mentioned here the step by step guide that should be followed to change the oxygen sensor:

Step 1

Firstly, identify the damaged sensor and connect the OBD-II scan tool to the vehicle. Read the codes for determining the specific oxygen sensor that has failed and needs a replacement.

Step 2

Numerous designs have various oxygen sensors (sometimes on both sides of the engine). The stored trouble codes will help you know the exact sensor that needs a replacement. That is it can either be the upstream (top) or downstream (bottom) sensor.Put the vehicle on a raised platform. Also, raise the vehicle and fix it on jack stands. Ensure that yo raise the vehicle on the side that allows you enough access to the oxygen sensor that needs to be changed.

Step 3

Then disconnect the oxygen sensor connector. Now when the vehicle has been raised, find the damaged oxygen sensor and disconnect the wiring harness connector. Disconnect the oxygen sensor using the oxygen sensor socket or the right size open end wrench. Loosen and finally remove the oxygen sensor.

Step 4

It is important that you compare and analyse the faulty oxygen sensor with the replacement sensor. Compare the new replacement to ensure a proper fitting. The installation should be performed and then be verified. Connect the harness and then clear the codes. Connect the scanner again to clear these stored codes. Start the vehicle to perform a test drive.