Does anyone out there know enough chemistry to
identify how the o2 sensor generates the current.
What I think is that????
1) high hydrcarbon, low o2 generates low voltage
2) low hydorcarbon, high o2 generates a high voltage
3) Some molecules ge busted up to provide the
electrons that provide a current to generate the
voltage potential.
4) cracks in the exhaust cause the 02 sensor to read
lean or low voltage causing the engine to run rich and
eventually destroying your cat converter.
So what chemical breaks down to donate the electrons
and what is the resulting chemical?
           thanks gary

Date:    Thu, 27 Jun 2002 23:46:30 +0100
From:    stephen de la salle <sdelasal@PEOPLEPC.COM>
Subject: Re: '87 westy oxygen sensor problems.

Leaks are generally bad news if they are between the
engine and the
catalyst. But it depends on where the exaust leak is.

If the leak is on the catalyst side of the oxygen
sensor and some
distance
from the sensor then it probably does not matter.

If its on the engine side of the oxygen sensor then
you got problems.
The
reason being that the sensor responds to oxygen in the
exhaust. If you
have
a leak, it measures 'high oxygen concentration'. The
engine control
module
sees this and says 'ah ha ...too much oxygen, I need
to add more fuel'
-
result is the engine runs too rich. You can confirm
this by looking at
the
colour of the spark plugs and they'll be dark
brown/black.

I think it'd have to be pretty rich to show the
behaviour you describe
though - those symptoms can also be caused by
insufficient fuel.  It'd
be
worth checking the colour of your spark plugs. They
should be a pinkish
colour. If they are white it's running too lean i.e.
insufficient fuel.

  steve

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