Whats up guys so what exactly happens to our cars when a o2 sensor is bad, especially the primary one, the one on the header, other than a check engine light. Does the car run richer or leaner? Is some performance lost? Also, whats the worse that can happen if you keep driving with a bad o2 sensor and not fixing the issue?

 

It too have this issue, 3 months now and still haven't replaced it. I haven't been able since I live in the carribean I have to order everything, nothing is found local... From what I've read it does run richer... rich = smoke from exhaust (to my knowledge) mine does smoke just a tad under WOT. Also read on other posts that the catalytic converter can be damaged somehow maybe on the long run.

When your able, I recommend it to be fixed. I do plan on fixed my own just haven't come around to do it.

 

Correction, the car will run richer and richer until the oil starts to dilute from how rich it runs.

 

Exactly. Everything G2KS2K described, smoke and potential cat damage, are consequences of running rich, not lean. He just got it backwards. Replace everywhere he said lean with rich and its all accurate.

...and in case its not clear, oil diluted with fuel is very bad. Oil can't lubricate. Bad for bearings, bad for cylinder linings.

 

the secondary takes over and assists, but isn't as accurate. which codes did you get? P0133/P0135?

 

Exactly lol, I was referring richer.... fixed my post

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, yes i kind of figured it would run richer, my car stinks like gas latley, but im also not running a cat, running a berk testpipe. I do also feel my car kinda sluggish, i beleieve it started right when my o2 sensor went bad. Also if i try clearing the code, the car will run and idle very rough until the check engine light comes back on. Ive been holding off on buying the sensor because im going turbo again soon. Also does anyone know which sensor to buy to replace this primary o2?

 

neither of those, im getting p0132 with my scanner

 

If you have an AP1 this one works great DENSO P/N: 2344124

 

mine is 2005 Ap2. not sure which sensor to get