Calling all Honda owner: Have you experienced...

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

There is something weird about the way my 98 Accord drives. Some days it drives smoothly but other days it drives like s**t. This happens every few days and has been going on for as long as I can remember. The difference is very noticeable and has been confirmed by my family members (they drive my car on occasion.) Some people suggest it's the O2 Sensor...could that be the problem? Just wondering how it can lead to bad engine response/car performance...

 

[NutBucket]

Does it throw a check engine light? Can you describe the condition in more detail?

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

The engine light comes on from time to time. The 02 sensor has been a problem on many Honda models...some owners put a defouler (sp?) so the engine light doesn't come on. I am inclined to do the same after all these years.

The difference is mainly in the engine response. There are days the car feels very sluggish and unresponsive. It normally lasts for a few days before it gets better. And then after a few days, the symptom would come back again...so it's been like this for years.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Have your car fixed. I believe an o2 sensor adjusts your air/fuel ratio so yes it could have an effect on performance.

 

[jaedaliu]

check engine light is kind of a big deal. It's not "Car about to blow up" big deal, but can sometimes be "about to destroy engine" big deal. Take it to a mechanic.

 

[NutBucket]

But it doesn't run rough in any way? And obviously, READ THE CODE!

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Of course I ran the code already. It's the O2 sensor. I just didn't know how it can contribute to the sluggishness...until maybe now.

 

[manimal]

Get it fixed before you need new cats.

 

[NutBucket]

Just let it be. Only worry about it if the CEL if flashing.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Just let it be. Only worry about it if the CEL if flashing.

Cats are pretty expensive as manimal pointed out. Pay now or pay much more later.

 

[NutBucket]

I posted that knowing the sarcasm would be lost

 

[SearchMaster]

I too have a 98 Accord but have not experienced this. When I first got the car the O2 sensor was triggering a CEL, so I replaced it. It solved the problem for a couple of years though that code has triggered a CEL once more a few months ago (I cleared it and haven't seen it since).

But it never caused any sluggishness. It sounds like a good place to start for you, though. If nothing else I'm sure its replacement is long overdue and it's relatively cheap and easy to replace yourself.

 

[Svnla]

Co-worker has a Honda CRV and the engine light went off a few months ago. I replaced the gas cap for her with a new one and it is no longer on. The engine is still running very smooth even with over 100K miles and 10 years old and O2 sensor is still the original one.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Of course I ran the code already. It's the O2 sensor. I just didn't know how it can contribute to the sluggishness...until maybe now.

The engine uses the O2 sensor to tell whether its running rich or lean and uses the information to adjust fuel trim. If the O2 sensor is giving you bad information, the engine will not run the right fuel mixture and can be lethargic or rough or have many other issues resulting from a bad mixture.

Also, why the hell would you not get it fixed the moment you knew what the code was? Too many people don't take care of their stuff and then wonder why they always have problems with it.

ZV

 

[camoxiong]

those accords, if auto, are known to have transmission slips

 

[Rifter]

This happened with my 88 Si CRX with same symptoms, it was the wiring to the O2 sensor.

I ended up replacing the O2 sensor 3 or 4 times because it would intermittently throw the o2 sensor code before I realized the issue was not with the sensor itself at all but the wiring from the ECU to the O2 sensor was worn through and shorting to the valve cover intermittently.

Replaced the section of wire and never had that issue again.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

This happened with my 88 Si CRX with same symptoms, it was the wiring to the O2 sensor.

I ended up replacing the O2 sensor 3 or 4 times because it would intermittently throw the o2 sensor code before I realized the issue was not with the sensor itself at all but the wiring from the ECU to the O2 sensor was worn through and shorting to the valve cover intermittently.

Replaced the section of wire and never had that issue again.

I think the wire is soldered onto the sensor...I can try de-solder it but...not sure I have the technical skill to do so.

If I install a defouler and make it run rich all the time, doesn't that mean it uses more fuel? Hence, worse MPG?

 

[AMCRambler]

I think the wire is soldered onto the sensor...I can try de-solder it but...not sure I have the technical skill to do so.

If I install a defouler and make it run rich all the time, doesn't that mean it uses more fuel? Hence, worse MPG?

O2 sensor should have a harness and plug connecting it to the ecu. No soldering required.

As far as your other question, never hear of a defouler but it sounds like snake oil to me. If the sensor is sending the wrong readings to the ecu it could run lean or rich. Neither is good. If the sensor doesn't read any values the ecu will default to a limp mode and run a setting that's least likely to damage anything. Will probably run like crap as you said.

Get the sensor replaced and your problem will likely be fixed.

 

[phucheneh]

O2's do not make an engine run poorly. God, when will people understand the 'feedback' concept? If the ECM has set a code for an upstream O2, that means it is ignoring it. It can run without O2 sensor feedback without any issues other than slightly increased emissions and decreased economy.

It sounds more to me like his engine is probably misfiring or otherwise running like complete shit, and he's severely understating the problems.

 

[Zenmervolt]

O2's do not make an engine run poorly. God, when will people understand the 'feedback' concept? If the ECM has set a code for an upstream O2, that means it is ignoring it. It can run without O2 sensor feedback without any issues other than slightly increased emissions and decreased economy.

I've usually experienced a rough/stumbly idle if the O2 sensor has died because the default maps for most cars aren't good enough to run well without the feedback loop operating once the engine's up to temp.

While it's absolutely possible to build maps that will let an engine run just fine without an O2 sensor, most factory maps I've seen just plain don't work well without the feedback loop functioning. The cars will generally run fine once up to speed, but will stumble and run rough at idle.

ZV