----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 7:10 PM
Subject: Re: Not giving up!!!

> Andy Morse wrote:
>
> >    So why does the vehicle even need an oxs sensor if it runs OK without
it?
> >I'm assuming it would run better? So should I spend the 80 bucks and get
a
> >new sensor?
> >
>
> The O2 sensor provides the signal info that the ECU uses to aid in
> monitoring and controlling the engine and fuel injection to achieve the
> lowest emissions possible. Without it, the engine runs richer, i.e. more
> fuel burned so more pollutants into the air.

Well, not exactly.  A mechanically sound engine, well tuned, should meet
emission requirements and run at the stociometric ratio.  The O2 sensor is
there the provide feedback to the ECU about the state of the fuel/air ratio,
but it could as well be signaling to too-lean situation as well as a
too-rich situation.

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Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
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