How To Deal With Volkswagen O2 Sensor Failure

Is your Volkswagen showing a check engine light on the dashboard and you suspect it’s because of a problem with the oxygen sensor? O2 sensor failure in your VW automobile is a real problem; however, there are some measures you can take to solve this issue.

The oxygen sensor is responsible for determining the amount of unburnt oxygen in your exhaust and reporting this back to the engine computer in order to adjust the air/fuel mixture. When it fails, your VW can suffer from poor acceleration and excessively high emissions. Fortunately, identifying and fixing a bad O2 sensor is usually easy, especially if you have correctly identified the symptoms and taken your vehicle to an expert mechanic who has the correct replacement parts.

Signs Your O2 Sensor Needs A Replacement

• Check Light: The first noticeable symptom of an O2 sensor that is failing is the check light coming on in your vehicle. This light can be ignited by a number of problems, therefore, it is wise to have the code read to determine if it is the O2 sensor.
• Poor Fuel Economy: If your VW has recently been consuming more fuel than it is supposed to, then it may be time to have your O2 sensor checked. Whenever an O2 sensor is bad, the engine may burn too much fuel, or too little fuel, changing the fuel consumption pattern.
• Misfiring: O2 sensor problems are a common reason why the engine may be rough idling or even outright misfiring. This is because the wrong mixture of fuel and air makes the engine unstable or unsteady.
• Increased Emissions: When the O2 sensor is not functioning as it should, then it causes higher emission from the vehicle in question. Not only is this bad for the environment, but if your VW requires emissions testing in your state, you might fail repeatedly until you fix the sensor.
• Sulfur or “Rotten Egg” Smell: In some cases, a bad O2 sensor may give a strong smell of sulfur due to unburned fuel. This smell is one of the ways that you can tell that your engine is not properly burning fuel.

Steps To Take When Your O2 Sensor Is Faulty

• Get a Diagnostic Check: The first thing you should do is to ensure that the O2 sensor is the actual culprit causing the signs you’re experiencing. Take your VW to a professional mechanic who will then use a diagnostic tool to read the codes from your car’s computer. This will reveal whether the check engine light is as a result of the O2 sensor or if other parts of your vehicle need special attention.
• Inspect and Clean the Sensor: In some instances, an O2 sensor can be serviced by having all the debris that may be interfering with its functionality wiped off. Nevertheless, this is usually a temporary solution. If the sensor is old or it is very badly damaged, then cleaning might not help and such a sensor will have to be replaced.
• Replace O2 Sensor: More often than not, a bad O2 sensor will require replacement. Replacing an O2 sensor is not a difficult task but in most cases, it is inadvisable for a layman or DIY enthusiast to do this work because the sensor needs to be connected to the ECU and these parts are delicate and need special attention to detail. When replacing the sensor, you also have to make sure that a high-quality replacement sensor is used in order to have a long-lasting sensor.
• Keep Up with Routine Maintenance: If you want to maintain the durability of the new O2 sensor of your Volkswagen, and keep your Volkswagen in good working condition, you must maintain it regularly. A regular oil change, air filter replacement, and fuel system inspection can go a long way in preventing contaminants from harming your O2 sensor and other parts of your engine.

Why Choose Bavarian Performance Specialists?

If you need Volkswagen repair and service in the California area, Bavarian Performance Specialists is the right place to turn. We are capable of diagnosing the causes of the failure of the O2 sensor and repairing it to return your VW to its former smooth driving state. Our technicians can also handle other problems aside from O2 sensors so if you need other Volkswagen maintenance services, feel free to come to us.

By bringing your vehicle to our team of experts in Thousand Oaks, CA who have a special focus on German cars you will be able to keep your car in perfect condition. Our experts also service European vehicle owners from nearby cities such as Malibu, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, and Westlake, CA. Call us now to learn more about our services.