Tips for Repairing a Faulty Oxygen Sensor in Your Jaguar
Climate change is a reality, and smog emission standards are the law. Making sure the oxygen sensor is functioning properly on your Jaguar is not only good for the environment, it will help it pass its smog test. The oxygen sensor monitors the level of oxygen in the exhaust so the vehicle’s computer can regulate the air/fuel mixture and reduce the amounts of CO2 that’s released into the atmosphere. A faulty sensor requires a trip to a Cincinnati Jaguar repair specialist like European Auto Specialists.
Your Local Auto Repair Shop Can Handle Oxygen Sensor Repair
In a Jaguar, the oxygen sensor is mounted the exhaust manifold downpipe near the catalytic converter. Nearly all sensors use a zirconium ceramic bulb as a sensing element. When the air/fuel mixture is rich, it contains minimal oxygen, with the sensor generating about 0.8 to 0.9 volts. When the mixture is lean and contains more oxygen, the sensor’s output is about 0.1 to 0.3 volts. An ideally balanced mixture produces an output of about 0.45 volts.
As the sensor ages, contaminants that are a natural part of the combustion process accumulate on the sensor, slowing its response time down and eventually making it faulty. This affects the voltage output, which can make the computer think the fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. It’s a problem that gets worse over time and is often not noticed until the sensor is completely shot.
The Multiplication of Your Jaguar’s Oxygen Sensors
Though back in the day you may only have had one oxygen sensor built into your car, these days your car is required to have at least two so the it can monitor how effectively the catalytic converter is working. Since oxygen sensors became standard, there has always been one located after the individual exhaust outputs from the engine are funneled into one pipe, but before the catalytic converter. This exclusively helped to monitor how well the fuel had been burned in the combustion process, allowing the engine to adjust the amount of fuel added to the mix to make sure the engine wasn’t running rich.
In all newer cars, however, US emissions law requires at least 2 O2 sensors—one before the catalytic converter, and one after. The first one does the same thing as those in older cars. The sensor after the catalytic converter makes sure the catalyst is scrubbing the exhaust as it is expected to before it goes out your tailpipe. If your Jag has a dual exhaust with two catalytic converters, you get 4 oxygen sensors.
Choose Your Sensors Wisely: Are They Heated Or Unheated?
Now that you know where your O2 sensors are located on your Jag’s exhaust system, you should be able to get eye on them without too much of a problem. If you are still having trouble seeing where those sensors are coming out of the exhaust pipes, a quick Google search should help you find a diagram of your specific model’s exhaust system.
Since there are more than a few types of “universal” O2 sensors, always make sure to double check that you have the right one for the job. For example, there are both heated and unheated oxygen sensors. The zirconium element that lets the sensor do its job only works after it reaches 600°F. Though the exhaust directly from the engine may keep your first O2 sensor at that 600 degree mark, one located after the catalytic converter may stay that hot, especially if its cold outside. In this case a heated type of oxygen sensor may be better. As always, check with your owner’s manual or your Jaguar electrical mechanic to make sure you get the right parts for your car.
Is Your Oxygen Sensor Shot? Time for Mechanical Work
You usually find out your oxygen sensor is kaput when your Audi flunks its emissions test. You may also learn that your oxygen sensor is faulty when you take it to your Cincinnati auto repair shop to get the code checked out after your check engine light comes on. It’s a fairly simple repair but one that you might not want to tackle without a professional car mechanic skilled in car diagnostics and car troubleshooting. If your Jaguar requires a new oxygen sensor and you don’t feel up to the task, take it to a vintage car repair and import car repair mechanic like those who work at European Auto Specialists’ Cincinnati, OH car repair shop. We understand all makes and models of foreign cars whether vintage or brand new, as well as the special care they require. Our car mechanics live and breathe European cars. If you want to know how much an oxygen sensor replacement will cost or want to know “How long will it take to repair my car?” give is a call and ask. We’d love to talk shop.
