The main disadvantages are the lack of mixture control. This will
prevent the cat converter from reducing all three, (HC, Co, NOx),
pollutants it is designed for. There is also a fear of it going lean
which can melt valves and pistons. When the full throttle switch is
activated the mixture will go rich for max power so that is not a
benefit.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Loren Busch
Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2006 1:45 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Running Without O2 Sensor Question

A quick question for the guru's out there.  Is there any long term
negatives
to running without the O2 sensor other than the effect on gas mileage?
I'm
prompted to ask this after running about 20 miles with mine
disconnected,
getting it to a shop to have a new one put in.  There was a very
noticeable
increase in power, especially at low speeds.  This prompted me to think
that
if one needed max power (climbing mountains, etc.) and was willing to
waste
the gas, disconnect the O2 sensor.

--
Loren Busch
"I ordered a feast in the hope that you would come."
"I came in the hope there would be a feast."
(From "Monument" by Lloyd Biggle Jr.)