Time to change my o2 sensor? - Maintenance and Repair Forum

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Time to change my o2 sensor?
Thursday, May 12, 2005 9:10 PM
I'm trying to get more opinions on whether or not I will benefit by replacing my oxygen sensors. I have been told that if they go bad, it will trip the "check engine" light, and if they haven't gone bad, I won't benefit from replacing them. I occasionally experience a "rotten egg smell" after climbing a long hill, it was suggested elsewhere that this might be the o2 sensors going bad, but my "check engine" light has not come on. Will replacing them make enough difference in my case to be worth the cost / is there any such thing as a "performance oxygen sensor"?

www.mychevycavalier.com

Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Thursday, May 12, 2005 9:43 PM
If it makes you feel better, have your O2 sensors checked....

Hell, have the cat checked too if you want......

I'm putting my money on the fact that the smell is caused by sulfur in the gas. Especially when you only smell it under load.

Which is why I smell it almost all the time.... damn lead foot.




I know it's JUST a Cavalier, and I'm sorry if I hurt your ego.
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Friday, May 13, 2005 5:49 AM
IF you get a dramatic drop is gas miliage, and at idle you can smell the exhaust than its time, but until than I'm sure its just the gas. You will know when they die. I went from 28MPG to about 18.


--------------------------------------------
The Car is For Sale: Info? Travis@TunerRevolution.com

Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Friday, May 13, 2005 9:38 AM
Get an A/F gauge and you'll know when it's time to change it.

Jay




One huge aluminum wing - $200
More vinyl graphics than your ride can handle - $150
Decals for products you don’t even have - $10
500lbs of Car Audio equipment in the trunk - $1500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting slaughtered by a KIA - Priceless
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Friday, May 13, 2005 10:11 AM
Thanks for the input , guys. If anyone else would like to add anything, feel free to do so.

www.mychevycavalier.com
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Saturday, May 14, 2005 2:57 AM
other than the sensor on the exaust manafold and the air box, are there any other ones?
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Saturday, May 14, 2005 12:25 PM
There is only one on the 2.2 on the header.

Jay




One huge aluminum wing - $200
More vinyl graphics than your ride can handle - $150
Decals for products you don’t even have - $10
500lbs of Car Audio equipment in the trunk - $1500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting slaughtered by a KIA - Priceless
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Saturday, May 14, 2005 6:33 PM
Two things; the cat in our j-bodies isn't the best, just enough to get by minimal requirements. They tend to clog eventually. What you smell is buildup of sulphur from gasoline. If you don't let the ponies run occasionally, it doesn't get blown out at a regular basis. Aftermarket cats are wonderful, try to get a high-flow one. You'll need to have an O2 sensor bung welded on the outpipe to house the heated O2 monitoring sensor. Secondly, a bad O2 sensor may not necessarily throw a code. I opted to change mine (manifold) to help assure pass emmision enspection. I did, it did, and I also saw a jump in fuel economy of about 3-5 mpg. I'd guestimate sensors are good for at least 40K miles, and should be changed every 80K miles, or so. An easy enough job for any Saturday mechanic.
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Saturday, May 14, 2005 8:16 PM
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going online right now to compare prices. I'm going to check out Magnaflow first, as I have a hi-flow resonator & muffler from them already. If anyone has any brands that have worked especially well for them, please let me know.

www.mychevycavalier.com
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Sunday, May 15, 2005 1:11 AM
well then whats the sensor on the airbox for, doesnt that need repalacing every once and a while?...AND what if i just clean the o2 sensor on the header, would that make it work somewhat again...(take in mind ive never seen one....but im gunna check mine this morning to take a look)
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Sunday, May 15, 2005 7:35 AM
I doubt that you will be able to clean it. Just replace it.

The sensor on the intake is the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor.

Jay




One huge aluminum wing - $200
More vinyl graphics than your ride can handle - $150
Decals for products you don’t even have - $10
500lbs of Car Audio equipment in the trunk - $1500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting slaughtered by a KIA - Priceless

Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Sunday, May 15, 2005 8:32 PM
does the IAT make any economy difference and does it even need replacing like the o2 sensor?
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Thursday, May 19, 2005 10:53 PM
anyone?
Re: Time to change my o2 sensor?
Friday, May 20, 2005 4:27 AM
Nicolas Smith wrote:does the IAT make any economy difference and does it even need replacing like the o2 sensor?
Nope don't need to replace that.



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