Posted by greghill-phx,az on July 07, 2004 at 21:10:57 from 68.227.229.66
In Reply to: What's the deal with O2 sensors posted by Foo L. on July 07, 2004 at 18:53:55:
After the engine warms the oxygen sensor, it sends the oxygen content of the exhaust to the computer. With that information the engine makes the air-fuel mixture more rich or lean depending. The engine constantly varies rich to lean in order to supply the catalytic converter with appropriate amounts of oxygen to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. When the L-jet operates without the oxygen sensor info, it runs rich by default. Running rich will eventually corrode the platinum (and maybe the rhodium, i forget) in the cat, you can see the tiny flakes come out of the exhaust pipe, and the cat will no longer improve your emissions.
At least that's how I understand it.
Your oxygen sensor is probably still fine, I don't know the life expectancy, but replacement is cheaper than a new cat. But if you're not in an emissions-controlled area and you don't mind the stink and you care about the environment, then pull out the bulb and it will never bother you again _g