Our cars of today have become a
lot smarter than yesteryear s, with breath taking innovations to further enhance
drivability experience.
The function of an oxygen sensor
is very crucial as to how an engine runs. Either rich or lean, to this end
manufactures ensured that cars built after 1980 were fitted with these sensors.
manufactures ensured that cars built after 1980 were fitted with these sensors.
OXYGEN SENSOR
An oxygen sensor is an important device in the fuel
management system that enables the onboard computer detect if the engine is
running too rich or too lean (dumping or burning fuel)
An oxygen sensor its at its optimal mode when it becomes hot
at this point it provides the onboard
computer with necessary information as to how an engine is operating which
normally is meant to be at close loop.
LOCATION
To many motorists whom are just day to day users we might wonder what the oxygen sensor is and what it might look like, an oxygen sensor is that plug like device usually located between the engine and the exhaust pipe with two wires attached to it. An oxygen sensor is usually positioned in this place where it can be able to detect rich or lean mixture.
To many motorists whom are just day to day users we might wonder what the oxygen sensor is and what it might look like, an oxygen sensor is that plug like device usually located between the engine and the exhaust pipe with two wires attached to it. An oxygen sensor is usually positioned in this place where it can be able to detect rich or lean mixture.
IMPORTANCE
An oxygen sensor is vital for the smooth operation of an engine, but specifically for these reasons.
Determining the air/fuel ratio.
Registering any form of misfiring by the engine which might be either through rich or lean mixtures to the onboard computer when detected.
Enhances fuel efficiency
Also not forgetting that, this device is also saddled with
emission control.
One major factor why the oxygen sensor is so important is
because the amount of oxygen an engine can pull is dependent on various factors
which includes, barometric pressure, air temperature, altitude, load on
the engine , engine temperature etc.
When
the oxygen sensor malfunctions the the onboard computer is unable to monitor
the air /fuel ratio and at this point begins to guess , this ends up leading to
poor engine performance and ultimately consuming more fuel than expected
RICH OR LEAN MIXTURE (OPEN OR CLOSE LOOP)
Gasoline engines are built to burn fuel using oxygen, to ensure that this is fully mapped out there’s a particular ratio of air and gas that seems perfect which is
14:7:1 (applicable to different fuel) if the air ratio is less than perfect
then there will be leftover fuel after combustion has taken place, this is
known as rich mixture which results to pollution. On the contrary if the air
ration becomes more than required (excess oxygen) then this is said to be a
lean mixture, lean mixtures produce nitrogen oxide pollutants which can
ultimately cause poor engine performance and in most cases damage the engine.
ONE WORD
When next your car goes into the garage for routine maintenance either for engine or body ensure that your tech people handle the oxygen sensor with
utmost care you never might tell what it might cost you if they fail to do
this.
Tags:
Repair And Maintenance