jimzigg2

ok i have a bad front o2 sensor dirvers side per the obd2 code. i ordered 2 right away and am waiting for arrival. will be 1 week tomorrow. i have been driving in the meantime but i disconnected the black o2 wire to "save the cats". i was told this will fool the ecu so that no damage is done while i drive in the interim. i am smelling really rich fuel. is this merely the overcompensation of the ECU and is disconnecting this really "saving my cats"?

4Driver4

It's really pointless to unplug the OXS. If the ECU throws a code, it "knows" there is a problem with that sensor and acts accordingly. You should probably plug it back in.

jimzigg2

thinking back on it now, i think the reason he told me to disconnect is because the code he was pulling wasnt exactly for the o2 sensor but is certain that is the problem but its causing a residual code. he did indicate it would fool the ecu into limp or fail mode and protect cats.

dtompsett

on the short term, running rich or lean won't wreck a cat... you need to be running that way for an extended period of time to mess things up.

Ghostfire

Say about 3 days. I have generic o2's and when I got my exhaust done the new magnaflow cat that was installed was brittle in less then a weak. I took it back to the shop and he claimed it didnt meet warrenty specs because the car showed signs of running rich according to him.

Pre95

2nd that.. bad o2 can burn through a cat in under a week (BTDT)

jimzigg2

well i got the new snesor in tonight and no CEL any longer, yet............ so i am hopeful i didnt burn up a cat. not sure what the signs would be but it runs great now.

Pre95

Same signs as if your running too rich. It will smell a bit rich, have a blackened tip on the exhaust etc etc.

Ghostfire

It will rattle at certain RPM's like tin cans being dragged under the car.