Get a smoother ride and better fuel economy with oxygen sensor repair from mycar

Your car is chewing through fuel, the engine is rumbling every time you pull up at the traffic lights and there’s a weird smell leaking from the exhaust. While it might not sound like much, the oxygen (O2) sensor plays a big role in keeping your car rolling along happily.

Suspect your O2 sensor is failing? Getting on top of things early can save you the drama of expensive engine damage. At mycar, we can get your oxygen sensor problems diagnosed and sorted out with a quality replacement in no time flat.

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The role of the oxygen sensor in car engine performance

There are three key ingredients in making fire: oxygen, fuel and heat. Car manufacturers have put a lot of effort into perfecting the fuel-to-air ratio so you get the most bang for your buck, literally! By mixing just the right amount of each, your car’s engine will get the most power from the smallest amount of fuel, while keeping harmful by-product gases to a minimum.

Too much fuel means your car is running “rich”, while too much oxygen means it’s running “lean”. Both of these issues can cause harmful exhaust emissions and damage to your engine. The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust as it exits the engine. Then, it sends messages to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which can then adjust the amount of fuel injected accordingly. There may be several oxygen sensors located at various points through the exhaust system, providing more detailed feedback.

How your car oxygen sensor works

The oxygen sensor sits within the exhaust pipe, half inside where it can measure the oxygen levels of the exhaust as it passes through, and half outside where it can measure the oxygen of the surrounding air. The sensor produces a small electrical charge, between 0.1 volts and 0.9 volts. A voltage over 0.45 happens when the fuel is burning rich (not enough oxygen) and under 0.45 comes from the fuel burning lean (too much oxygen). The strength of the electrical charge tells the PCM whether it needs to inject more or less fuel.

Bad oxygen sensor symptoms to look out for

When an oxygen sensor stops working, it can wreak havoc on your engine and your exhaust emissions. Your car needs to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to constantly changing fuel demands as you accelerate or brake, go up or down hills, and more. Without a functioning O2 sensor, the engine won’t get the right amount of fuel. This can lead to the following symptoms:

Rough idle
Engine misfires or stalls
Engine loses power or struggles to accelerate
Poor fuel economy
Black exhaust fumes
Rotten egg smell from the exhaust
Catalytic converter failure
Engine overheating
Check engine light on

Can a faulty oxygen sensor cause a misfire?

If your car has a bad oxygen sensor, the unit that controls the rate of fuel injection (how much fuel is added into the combustion chamber) doesn’t have accurate information about how quickly the engine is burning the fuel. A misfire is when the combustion reaction doesn’t work properly, and the cylinder doesn’t fire. When the cylinders don’t fire in a steady pattern, it interferes with the way the engine works, and can cause your car to momentarily lose power.

If you notice that your engine is misfiring, book in with a mycar mechanic as soon as possible to diagnose and repair the problem.

Expert oxygen sensor replacement you can rely on

At every mycar store around the country, you’ll find a team of experienced and knowledgeable mechanics who can swiftly diagnose and solve your oxygen sensor problems. To get started, give your local mycar shop a call. We’ll have a chat about the symptoms you’ve noticed, then book your car in for a day that suits you.

Testing an O2 sensor is a quick and easy job, and replacing a faulty sensor is usually done in around half an hour. Your upfront quote will include both the oxygen sensor price and labour costs, so there’s no hidden fees or extras.

Oxygen sensor replacement cost

The cost of oxygen sensor replacement comes down to the number and price of the parts used, and the length of time it takes to swap over to a new sensor. While you’ll typically see a failure in just one sensor unit, more than one can break down at the same time, or your mechanic may recommend replacing all sensors at the same time to avoid future hassles. Occasionally a sensor can be more difficult to access or remove, and this can push out the time it takes to complete the replacement. Your mechanic will talk to you about any changes to the original quote.

Need some extra time to cover the bill? We offer Zip Pay and Afterpay, along with traditional payment methods including cash, credit and debit card.

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FAQ

What happens to a car when the oxygen sensor is bad?

If your car oxygen sensor fails, it can’t regulate the amount of fuel being burned. This can lead to more fuel than the engine can burn at once, which can cause your car to chew through a tank of fuel quicker, release unburned fuel into the atmosphere through the exhaust, and can cause damage to spark plugs, the catalytic converter and more. If the fuel to air ratio is too lean - meaning not enough fuel is being injected - not only will your car struggle to get enough power while driving, the oxygen-rich mix burns hotter and can damage the engine over time.

What are the symptoms of a faulty oxygen sensor?

A bad oxygen sensor causes problems with engine performance and exhaust gases. You may notice that your car runs “rough” - shaking and shuddering or struggling to idle properly; loses power or accelerates slowly; gives off black, foul-smelling smoke; has the check engine light on; stalls or misfires.

Can I drive with a faulty oxygen sensor?

While the car will continue to drive without a working oxygen sensor, you risk causing damage to various parts of the engine and exhaust system.

Ultimately, if the problem is not addressed, it will lead to failure of the engine or catalytic converter, and the car will stop functioning. It is important to have your oxygen sensors tested at the first sign of trouble to avoid more extensive and costly damage.