The oxygen sensor plays an important role in the consumption of fuel by checking the level of unburned oxygen left in your exhaust system. This sends a message to the ECU, allowing the air-fuel ratio to be altered if needed. If your car shows signs that the sensor isn’t working properly, you may need an oxygen sensor replacement. Your local Ford dealership will be able to run diagnostics and install a replacement.
1: Reduced Fuel Efficiency
If the oxygen sensor isn’t working properly, the ECU might not receive the right message. This can result in the fuel mixture running too rich (not enough oxygen) or too lean (too much oxygen). A rich mixture uses too much fuel, leading to incomplete burning and waste. A lean mixture can create difficulties with combustion, requiring the use of more throttle, which in turn burns more fuel.
Although there are other reasons that you might be using excess fuel, if you notice you’re having to stop for gas more frequently, it’s worth getting the oxygen sensor checked.
2: Black Smoke From the Exhaust
A poor air-fuel mixture can lead to incomplete combustion. The unburned fuel exits through the exhaust, appearing as black smoke. This can also cause problems with fuel emissions and has the potential to damage the catalytic converter.
3: Misfiring or Stalling Engine
There are a lot of processes within the engine that rely on the right air-fuel mix. Associated problems include flooding, poor combustion, and loss of stability which can lead to misfires and engine stalls. A sensor that is starting to fail may also fail to communicate changes in speed or engine load. This can cause delays in engine responses, stalling, and periodic misfires.
4: Unpleasant Smells
If you notice a rotten egg smell, it’s often a good indication there’s an issue within your exhaust system. This could include a malfunctioning oxygen sensor. When fuel is running too rich, there is leftover fuel that can’t be burned. The catalytic converter can’t convert this excess fuel into sulfur dioxide, leaving the characteristic rotten egg smell of hydrogen sulfide, or sometimes the odor of gasoline.
Schedule an Oxygen Sensor Replacement at Your Local Ford Dealership
The warning signs that your oxygen sensor is failing can sometimes be hard to interpret because they mimic other faults. Your local dealership has all the necessary technology to run diagnostics on your car and will be able to identify the root of any problem.
We have been servicing the local community for more than 50 years and are proud to offer a wide range of services. If your oxygen sensor needs to be replaced, or you think you might have another problem, contact us today at Harrison Ford in Wellington, OH and we’ll be happy to help.
Connect with us
