Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 11:48:30 -0400
Reply-To: ROBERT DONALDS <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: ROBERT DONALDS <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: oops, more questions on O2 sensors
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
Dennis
I told Joy to run the engine without the sensor plugged because of the
typical rich running, new sealants and the assembly oil burning off that
goes on with a new engine start up.
It is common place to run a new engine with the 02 sensor unplugged.
The 02 sensor often fouls out on new engine start up BUT if left unplugged
they can have a chance to burn off any built up soot and work fine after
that.
Replacing the 02 sensor into a already fouled out exhaust will result in a
fouled 02 sensor so sometimes there is no option but run it with it
disconnected.
Having spoken with Joy about her fuel mileage I feel that its not running
rich or mistuned
To the best of my understanding it does not affect the cat unless the cat is
getting over whelmed with to much unburned fuel
the purpose of the 02 sensor is to trim the mixture fine tune it.
Many a van has run for years without the 02 sensor connected
I think your 02 sensor is grounding out or junk and making the engine run
rich when connected. If it is bad it would have eaten the engine by now the
fellas that put the engine in
did a great job but they might not have seen this problem so this was a good
move
I have as known good used unit if you have a place that I can ship it to at
no charge
going faster miles an hour with my oxygen sensor disconnected
I remain
Bob Donalds
Boston Engine Exchange
1 508 358 6264
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:50 PM
Subject: Re: oops, more questions on O2 sensors
> Joy,
> I can not believe that you had a new engine installed and then sent on
> your way with the O2 sensor disconnected. Yes, the sensor may have been
> ruined by the engine failure. The temp 2 sensor was probably also
> damaged along with the thermostat, gauge sensor, and anything else that
> could be damaged by heat, steam, or contamination. A new engine should
> have everything working properly, especially for extended traveling.
>
> The O2 sensor is easily damaged by soot or any other fluid/vapor
> contaminant. Even some engine sealers will mess it up. Engine oil has
> recently been reformulated as it was destroying O2 sensor and catalysts.
> To make things worse, new ones are not always good. The universal Bosch
> sensors properly spliced usually work fine. They are easily checked with
> a good digital volt meter. Poor O2 sensor response is often caused by
> bad wiring or a ground problem. Since your engine was just replaced,
> ground connections are a place to start. Since you have driven some
> distance with the O2 sensor disconnected, the catalyst is probably
> toasted also. Also, the O2 sensor should have a heat shield/deflector on
> it so that it stays hot and road spray doesn't get to it. I'll bet the
> shield is missing.
>
> An excessively rich mixture is also harmful to your new engine. The
> excess fuel will dilute the oil so if you have been black smoke puffing
> for long, an oil and filter change is in order.
>
> Get the universal sensor, get it working.
>
> I hope you eventually get to just drive,
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Joy Hecht
> Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:17 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: oops, more questions on O2 sensors
>
> I studied the busdepot O2 sensor options after I sent my previous email,
> and
> realized that the difference in price is not OE vs. after-market, but
> it's
> whether I use the connectors I have or get an O2 sensor that comes with
> them.
>
> $100 is a lot to pay for new connectors!
>
> Do they tend to be what's gone bad? Or is it the sensor itself? Is
> there a
> way to tell if something's wrong with the connectors? Why would I want
> new
> ones?
>
> I have been driving Matilda with the O2 sensor disconnected since the
> new
> Boston Bob engine went in. Put on 1200 miles, she's running great.
> Then I
> remembered that the O2 sensor wasn't connected, so I reconnected it.
> Then
> she ran doggy, low power especially getting going, and black soot in the
> exhaust pipe. Disconnected it again and she runs fine. Which seems
> like
> good evidence that the O2 sensor got fried when the old engine did.
>
> But how do I know whether I need new connectors or I can just get the
> sensor?
>
>
> Joy
>
> ****************************************************************
> Joy Hecht
> and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>
> For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
>
> ****************************************************************
>
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