Can bad spark plugs cause O2 sensor problems?
NO. if a plug fails completely the software in the car combined with the various sensors will (or should) detect the misfire, and work out that the o2 sensor reading are correct, there is indeed excess oxygen – the sensor has not failed.
What can cause a new O2 sensor to fail?
O2 sensor failures can be caused by various contaminants that enter the exhaust. These include silicates from internal engine coolant leaks (due to a leaky head gasket or a crack in a cylinder wall or combustion chamber) and phosphorus from excessive oil consumption (due to worn rings or valve guides).
Does a bad O2 sensor affect oil consumption?
The O2 sensor typically screws into the vehicle’s exhaust system, either in the exhaust manifold or a pipe downstream. Oil deposits or any other deposits on the sensor tip are bad news because they can cause a “false lean” reading.
Can a faulty O2 sensor cause faulty spark plugs on driver side?
Also if you are jumping on the highway without letting your car warm up, your spark plugs can actually shatter. When an O2 sensor goes bad the ecu knows it and ignors it so only enextended driving period may cause the plugs to foul but certainley not in the short run .
What happens to an oxygen sensor in a catalytic converter?
What happens to Oxygen (O2) Sensors is that they tend to become fouled with carbon and sooty deposits. The element just simply erodes and wears down like the electrode on a spark plug. Finally, Neglecting to replace a bad Oxygen (O2) Sensor will usually result in damage to your catalytic converter.
When do I need to replace the oxygen sensor?
If the sensor after the catalytic converter shows minimal changes from the reading on the first oxygen sensor, it is a sign that the catalytic converter is not working properly. Modern vehicles with V-6 or V-8 engines could have as many as four O2 sensors — one located in each cylinder bank and one after each catalytic converter.
Can a bad oxygen sensor cause engine damage?
If the reverse happens, the phenomenon is known as a lean mixture. Both can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s performance and gas mileage. Even worse, the wrong fuel mixture can result in serious engine damage. Car manufacturers place oxygen sensors in specific areas to ensure the fuel mixture is neither rich nor lean.