You rely on your diesel work truck every day. The oxygen (O2) sensor is a crucial part of the exhaust system. It determines how much oxygen is in your truck’s exhaust. This helps the engine control module make air and fuel adjustments in the combustion chamber when necessary. Unfortunately, if the oxygen sensor malfunctions, the module might make unnecessary adjustments, and Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel advises you’ll notice one or more of the following signs of a faulty O2 sensor.
Check Engine Warning Light
Your diesel work truck’s check engine light will come on to alert you of problems in the engine. In this case, it may have received an error code from the malfunctioning O2 sensor or it may turn on because of the imbalance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. A diagnostic test will allow us to find out why your check engine light is on.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Many times, you will also see a reduction in your fuel economy when the O2 sensor is going bad. This can be because there is too much fuel in the engine and it is burning it away. It doesn’t matter if your work truck is diesel or gasoline, the fuel economy can be reduced by the malfunctioning oxygen sensor.
Rotten Egg Exhaust Smells
Another problem that occurs when your engine is burning too much fuel is your catalytic converter gets clogged. As a consequence, you will smell burning sulfur coming from the engine bay and your vehicle’s exhaust. You might already know this but if you smell rotten eggs coming from your diesel work truck, this is the odor of burning sulfur.
High Vehicle Emissions Levels
Your truck will also fail its emissions test if the O2 sensor is not functioning. Unfortunately, you won’t get a passing grade for the smog check you get a new oxygen sensor installed.
Engine Performance Issues
Finally, whether you have too much fuel or an abundance of air in the combustion chamber, you will notice that your diesel work truck’s engine is acting up. It may suddenly pick up speed in spurts unpredictably or stutter at higher speeds.
It might seem hard to believe, but a faulty oxygen sensor can cause all of these problems. Bring your diesel work truck or automobile to Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel in Limon, CO, for an oxygen sensor test. If it has gone bad, we will replace the O2 sensor in your vehicle.
