Maximize Efficiency: Acura Oxygen Sensor Replacement Services

Some of the most important sensors in your Acura are the oxygen sensors. As their name suggests, these sensors monitor the oxygen level in your engine. This is essential, as oxygen must mix with fuel in a precise ratio to power combustion. Sensors can wear out or become damaged, with serious consequences for your engine. As your Acura dealership, we’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for oxygen sensor replacement.

Signs You Need an Oxygen Sensor Replacement at Your Acura Dealership

Reduced Fuel Economy

Combustion requires far more fuel than air, as fuel can’t burn successfully without enough oxygen. Air enters the engine through the engine air filter and mixes with fuel in the intake manifold. The oxygen sensors monitor the air level and inform your computer so it can ensure the correct amount of fuel is added to the mixture.

A worn or damaged sensor won’t supply the right information, forcing your computer to guess the amount of fuel to add. If the computer guesses wrong, your engine could receive more fuel than air. Excessive fuel turns your engine fuel-rich. The lack of air prevents most of the fuel from burning, and it’s dumped out the exhaust. Once we replace the sensor, the fuel-air mixture will return to normal.

Black Exhaust Smoke

As we saw above, low oxygen levels prevent most of the fuel from burning. The hot fuel is dumped into the exhaust system and travels to the catalytic converter. The converter converts dangerous, toxic engine gases into harmless ones. The converter uses extreme heat during the conversion process, and the hot fuel can raise its internal temperature too high and damage it.

The unburnt fuel passes out the tailpipe, usually accompanied by hisses, pops, and occasional small flames when the fuel touches the hot metal. The accompanying black cloud has a strong fuel smell and is also toxic. If you live in Lake or Porter counties, this smoke will cause your Acura to fail its smog check. Your exhaust smoke will turn thin and whispy again once a new sensor is installed.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light comes on when engine sensors detect a problem that affects engine performance. Sensors are attached to all essential engine components to monitor them and ensure they’re working correctly. If the oxygen mixture in your engine is wrong, the spark plugs won’t ignite the mixture successfully, causing a misfire or even stalling your vehicle.

In addition, a fuel-rich atmosphere coats the plugs and ignition coils in sticky carbon, further reducing their performance. All these issues reduce performance, and this will cause the check engine light to illuminate.

Sensors are quick and relatively inexpensive to replace. Contact us today at Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN.

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