From what I understand these O2 sensors are comprised of a platinum cap over a zircon tip. When heated, the fluctuating oxygen/co2 molecules of combustion passing over the platinum creates an ion exchange between the platinum and the zircon tip. This is read as a voltage - plus or minus - depending on the molecule of the moment.This voltage signal is "read" by the ECU and it's circuitry tells it what to do with itself in terms of controlling fuel and air flow for mixture control. In the pottery world where big gas kilns are fired, O2 sensors are use to control the internal kiln environment to get a neutral, oxidation or reduction environment. Each condition works on the chemistry of glazes at high temperatures to produce spectacular results in the glazes. For example, you cannot get a copper red unless there is not enough oxygen, so the oxygen is deliberately reduced. If there is to much oxygen the color will be green, not red. Cool stuff, working with O2 sensors for pottery. Similar functions to the O2 sensors in our Vanagons. John Rodgers 88 GL Driver Chelsea, AL Regards, John Rodgers Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote: > oxygen sensors last say, 5 to 10 years. > 60,000 miles is getting up there. > by 80,000 miles they're well used up. > Every last vanagon there is that has an 02 sensor should be on its > 2nd, 3rd, > or 4th one. ( like vanagon engines - lol ) > > They're very easy to check for output with a digital volt meter too. > They're either OK, lazy, or dead. > Scott > turbovans.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rob" <becida@COMCAST.NET> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 1:50 PM > Subject: Re: oxs light came on > > >> At 12/7/2008 12:26 PM, John Rodgers wrote: >>> The O2 Sensor in the exhaust system, and the OX light in the panel are >>> not electrically or mechanically connected. Once reset, you can >>> drive your van until the cows >>> come home or the engine stops running well - which will happen if you >>> don't change the O2 sensor within a reasonable period after the light >>> turns on. >> >> I have never 'had to' change an O2 sensor in my life, I've swapped >> them for Subaru conversions ands such but that's it. I do have a >> Jetta that needs one, that will be my first 'have to' O2 sensor change. >> >> I wonder how many of you have 'had to' change an O2 sensor in a Vanagon? >> >> >> >> >> Rob >> becida@comcast.net >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> + To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to >> + listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON >> + in the body of the message. >> ------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > + To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to > + listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON > + in the body of the message. > ------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------------------------------ + To unsubscribe from the Vanagon List send an e-mail to + listserv@gerry.vanagon.com with SIGNOFF VANAGON + in the body of the message. ------------------------------------------------------------ |
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