When your car is having oxygen sensor problems, the issues can pile up quickly and leave your car running badly—or not at all. At Fremont Foreign Auto, we are here to help. While a component failure can occur with the oxygen sensor itself, it usually works as an early warning system for bigger problems with your vehicle.
The oxygen sensor can imply issues with many other systems in your car, particularly the injectors and the tune-up systems, like spark plugs/wires, coil packs, air filters, vacuum lines, etc. It is important to have your vehicle examined by a trained mechanic to diagnose other issues before they become debilitating. The earlier we catch a problem, the easier it is to keep you on the road.
Left untreated, oxygen sensor problems can reduce your engine’s performance, cause carbon buildup on the catalytic converter, burn more fuel than necessary, and potentially cause cascading problems with your car’s other systems. Here are a few symptoms which may indicate a problem with your oxygen sensor.
Fuel smell from exhaust/running rich
You may notice a strong fuel smell from your exhaust pipe. This could mean your fuel is running rich, and your car is receiving too much fuel and too little air. You can expect symptoms like low gas milage and slow acceleration, alongside the strong smell of gasoline, especially at idle. Running rich for an extended period can cause carbon buildup.
The engine shows a lack of power
If your car isn’t as responsive as it used to be, you could be having a problem with your oxygen sensor, or one of the related systems. You may feel like your car is sluggish and doesn’t have as much power as it usually does.
Check engine light comes on
The check engine light is one of the clearest indicators there is a problem with your vehicle. At Fremont Foreign Auto, we will read the codes for your check engine light and help you make a service plan to fix any issues.
Engine missing out while running
Another problem you might see arise out of an issue with the oxygen sensor is your engine missing out while it’s running. This could be caused by a failure in the oxygen sensor component itself. Regardless of the cause, a miss in the engine should be examined by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Emissions test failure
An oxygen sensor problem could lead to an emissions test failure. The majority of emissions test failures are caused by a faulty oxygen sensor and could mean anyone in your car is exposed to carbon monoxide. Fixing it quickly can help save you thousands in later repair costs. Be wary of a sulfurous smell like rotten eggs in and around your vehicle.
Conclusion
Fremont Foreign Auto is a Diamond Certified repair shop with the knowledge, integrity, and skill to provide the best service for your vehicle. We have years of experience working on foreign vehicles, so you can trust your car is in good hands and our technicians will treat it like their own.
