Oxygen Sensor

[Sniper82]

Is it safe to temporarily drive a car that has a bad 02 Sensor? I had check engine light come on yesterday and Advance said it was a bad O2 Sensor. The car seemed to be running fine though.

Bad idea to drive it till I can get it fixed?

 

[Zenmervolt]

It will not harm the engine to drive the car this way for a month or two even. However, you will have poorer gas mileage and it's possible that the engine may idle a little rough.

ZV

 

[Sniper82]

I plan on fixing it within the next week or two. I was mainly wondering if the car can quit running while I am miles from home with the 02 being bad?

 

[Rastus]

Originally posted by: Sniper82
I plan on fixing it within the next week or two. I was mainly wondering if the car can quit running while I am miles from home with the 02 being bad?

Yes, when it progresses to a certain point, the computer on your car will shut it down.

 

[thehstrybean]

You're fine for a while, but as was said above, it may idle a little high and rough. I had this happen coming back on a 7 hour drive from GA to TN. No real problems, but my gas mileage was a little lower...

 

[Wuffsunie]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It will not harm the engine to drive the car this way for a month or two even. However, you will have poorer gas mileage and it's possible that the engine may idle a little rough.

This is exactly what happened to me when my O2 sensor went. The car nagged me to get it fixed, but that was about it. As long as it's normal driving, not extended trips or anything, you should be fine.

Replacement costs vary, but expect a few hundred for part and like and hour or so labor.

 

[DeadByDawn]

Can't it cause the catalytic converter to plug up after an extended period of time?

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
Can't it cause the catalytic converter to plug up after an extended period of time?

That's gonna happen anyway.

This is likely the rear O2 sensor that has failed. You can drive forever without it. It will impact, but so little you'll probably never know the difference. Replace it when you can.

 

[Sniper82]

I was looking on ebay and for new OEM 02 sensors I can get for half the cost Advanced is wanting(they want near $80). Is it a bad idea to buy something like this off ebay?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Rastus

Originally posted by: Sniper82
I plan on fixing it within the next week or two. I was mainly wondering if the car can quit running while I am miles from home with the 02 being bad?

Yes, when it progresses to a certain point, the computer on your car will shut it down.

Bull. Complete and total bull.

The computer will allow the engine to run indefinitely even with the O2 sensor completely disconnected. It just goes into a default set of fuel maps and doesn't adjust them to suit driving conditions, meaning that you're typically running slightly rich.

ZV

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Sniper82
I was looking on ebay and for new OEM 02 sensors I can get for half the cost Advanced is wanting(they want near $80). Is it a bad idea to buy something like this off ebay?

As long as you buy a name-brand off of Ebay you should be fine. I just did this recently. I purchased a generic Bosch for $20 shipped and installed it using crimps since thewires are stainless and don't take too well to being soldered.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
Can't it cause the catalytic converter to plug up after an extended period of time?

It will cause the engine to run slightly rich. If left that way for 100,000+ miles, yes, it could cause issues with the catalytic converter.

However, it's not going to do any measureable damge in the 2-3 weeks it will take him to get it fixed.

ZV

 

[RiverDog]

My one truck had a bad O2 sensor for over 5 years. It ain't gonna quit overnight.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Wuffsunie

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It will not harm the engine to drive the car this way for a month or two even. However, you will have poorer gas mileage and it's possible that the engine may idle a little rough.

This is exactly what happened to me when my O2 sensor went. The car nagged me to get it fixed, but that was about it. As long as it's normal driving, not extended trips or anything, you should be fine.

Replacement costs vary, but expect a few hundred for part and like and hour or so labor.

I doubt it will cost that much. Hell, I replaced 4 O2 sensors on a vehicle I used to own for $175. That was the cost for 4 sensors (with the OEM wiring harness already attached), I did the work myself.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I went several months before replacing mine. You'll be fine going a couple of weeks.

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Wuffsunie

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It will not harm the engine to drive the car this way for a month or two even. However, you will have poorer gas mileage and it's possible that the engine may idle a little rough.

This is exactly what happened to me when my O2 sensor went. The car nagged me to get it fixed, but that was about it. As long as it's normal driving, not extended trips or anything, you should be fine.

Replacement costs vary, but expect a few hundred for part and like and hour or so labor.

I doubt it will cost that much. Hell, I replaced 4 O2 sensors on a vehicle I used to own for $175. That was the cost for 4 sensors (with the OEM wiring harness already attached), I did the work myself.

The keyword is you did the work yourself. On some cars, getting to the O2 sensors are kinda difficult and may be a little too much for the faint hearted.

 

[Sniper82]

I've located the sensors. According to the code pulled from Advanced the one in front of the Catalytic converter is the one needing changed. I got a couple problems though. This is on a older car(96 Geo Prizm/Toyota Corolla) and this is the original sensor so its rusted along with the muffler. If I can get under the car enough to really put some torque on it I think I can break it loose. As low as the car sets I can only get under it enough to use one arm. I am gonna get some ramps and hope thats enough.

My main problem is locating the connector to it which is going into the floor and into the car somewhere.