Maddog

Im trying a little experiment over the next tank full or so,I've unplugged my o2 sensor to see if it makes any differance(good or bad).I will take a while to clock up some miles & use up fuel as i only drive it once or twice a week now.but i will let you know how it goes in a few weeks or so.
So far ive been on a trip around town after resetting the ECU,& i have no codes or anything coming up & it seams to be running as good or better than before.
should be interesting.
What do ya think ?

bain

ive always heard it gives you more power and worse gas mileage

Maddog

Ive never heard anything either way,but my gas mileage cant possibly get any worse ,so im not worried about that.
thanks for the interest though

desert whomper

i am also intrested, at 20-22 mpg on my 22re i can afford to have it drop a little

Gadget

Maybe you just need a new sensor...

Gadget

Churnd

I think over time this can be harmful for your engine, with the ECU setting it to run too lean or too rich (can't remember which). But either way is bad, and should be avoided. Try a new sensor, or if it starts pinging too bad, plug that thing back up.

Maddog

I cant afford a new sensor just on the off chance that mine is stuffed,like i say ive never had any Check engine light come on & ive never been able to get good mileage.max kms on a tank is 220km's,city driving.
by talking the o2 sensor off im trying to find out what differance good or bad there is,thats the whole point of doing experiments isnt it?
i believe that the ecu will have some kind of default setting,but i dont konw what that is,but maybe ...just maybe its default setting is better than the one that the sensor is currently giving.
To you see where im coming from.?

superjoe83

generally when the ECU loses a important input like an o2 sensor it will default to a preset fuel map, an will generally run rich

HondaTec521

And eventually TOAST your cat.(assuming you have one)

Nam

Oh no...I wouldn't do that...excessed fuel will damage the CAT like Hondatech said...and all kind of other problem. If $$$ is tight, try Bosh at autozone...it works.

Nam

Maddog

Nup no cat.just a dog in the boot.

Duffdog

hmmm... have you tried taking the 02 sensor out and dipping it in a cup of bleach? that used to be the way to clean them a long time ago--- ( before "magic" sensor cleaning agents )

i cleaned mine on my 90 yota and it actually ran better.

T

Steveh29

I've also used carb cleaner on 02 sensors. Seems that cleaning only helps for awhile though.

Maddog

No i cant get it out,the nuts are rusted & rounded off,so i was just going to do it(put a new one in) at the same time as a new exhaust system,but that doubles the price,so im keen to see what effects this experiment has on things.

but as i say its going to take a while to complete as i only use the runner once or twice a week now.

Maddog

Time for an update
after 3/4 of a tank with out the o2 sensor plugged in ,the runner feels like its going better,Wtih out any real change in fuel consumption either way.I went for a good drive through some local steep & twisty hills on the weekend,& it pulled up the hills & out of the hairpins a lot better than it usually does.For once i really enjoyed the drive instead of being frustrated.& a slight ping has become almost unoticable.
so, so far better running with no worse or better fuel consumption.

EWAYota

you should top your tank off right now and see if your mpg is relatively the same or off a bit. im curious.

Maddog

Its gonna take a while to use a full tank for the reason above,i did the first 1/4 tank of the current fill with the o2 sensor plugged in so it inconclusive at worst.
But just because mine hasnt changed much,doesnt mean that someone like you will get the same type of results.it all depends on the state of the sensor to begin with i guess.Like ive said things(mpg) cant get any worse.
One thing that surprised me was that you dont get any Check engine light or code.
so what credibilty does that give the ECU.

EWAYota

well, i guess that why im curious, not check engine light! maybe you should drive it everyday to speed up the consumption process!

Maddog

no way it will cost to much !
I drive a company car during the week now,a p.o.s Mitzubishi RVR.Its almost as thirsty as my runner & its only a 2.0ltr hatch/van.

EWAYota

hahahah, thats a chick mobile!