The oxygen (O2) sensor is a crucial part of your VW or other European automobile’s exhaust system. It keeps track of the oxygen levels in the exhaust. The main computer chip, the engine control unit (ECU), uses this information to adjust the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Kinetech Motor Werkes advises that if the oxygen sensor is bad, the ECU may cause an imbalance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber rather than a balance of it. Here are signs that this is happening.
Black Exhaust Smoke
Black exhaust smoke is an indication that the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is stuffed with fuel. This is a rich fuel mixture. Unfortunately, the engine doesn’t need all of this fuel to generate combustion, and, as a consequence, it will burn it away. You will end up with black exhaust smoke as a result. This problem will continue until you replace the malfunctioning O2 sensor.
Fuel Efficiency Loss
Naturally, if your engine is burning away excess fuel, your fuel efficiency will be affected. Unfortunately, you will notice a difference in your vehicle’s fuel economy. It will be lower than normal and you will have to fill up the tank more often than usual.
High Emissions Levels
Excess fuel can also increase the emissions levels in your vehicle’s exhaust. When this happens, your VW or any other European automobile may fail its emissions test. This is because there are too many hydrocarbons in your vehicle’s exhaust due to the rich fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
Lagging or Surging Engine
A lean fuel mixture is stuffed with air. If the malfunctioning O2 sensor causes the ECU to put too much air in the chamber, your VW’s engine will lag when you try to accelerate and sputter at high speeds. If you have a rich fuel mixture in the engine, it will surge and buck forward.
Rotten Egg Smells
A rich fuel mixture can also clog the catalytic converter. When this happens, you may smell rotten eggs in your automobile’s exhaust. You may also end up with excessive heat underneath the vehicle, as well as an overheating engine and engine performance problems.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, all of these things will cause the ECU to turn on the check engine light on the dashboard. This is to alert you that there is a problem with the engine. Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, the faulty oxygen sensor will generate a check engine warning.
Kinetech Motor Werkes in Indian Trail, NC, is here to help. Call us today if you are having problems with your VW or other European automobile.
