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I have an O2 sensor out in my car. Will procrastinating having it replaced cause harm?

It is a Mazda MPV. Bank one, sensor two. There are four total and 1 is out. I don't know how important that is.

Update:

My car has 58,000 miles. And I don't have to do emissions tests where I live.

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    It will eventually cause the rest of them to go out....amongst other problems....slipping gas milage, fouled plugs, etc. it'll get ugly in a couple months... i would consider replacing all of them at once...they are only good for 50k miles.....many people dont even think about that type of stuff. Until the check engine light comes on at least.

    Suggested maintainace time on an O2 sensor by most makes is 50,000.......to anyone who reads this, How many miles are on yours? lol

    Source(s): 16yr mechanic
  • 1 decade ago

    The oxygen sensors are like the septic system of cars, they are the last sensors affected by the cars emissions. One thing you might notice is poor gas mileage, depending on if its running "rich" or "lean." You can bet that if you don't replace it now, then when you do, and the fault is cleared that you will be back because your light came back on, it's like when your ankle hurts you put more stress on the knee thing, the o2 sensors act the same way...when one isn't working right, it puts more work on the one that is so when the bad one gets fixed, the good one gets tired and fails too. Talking from experience, it's happened with multiple customers of mine.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    It's important. Improperly controlled fuel injection will run either too lean or rich, and both over an extended period of time will damage any engine.

    Add in the expense of poor fuel mileage, the aggravated wear on other components causing higher maintenance costs, and the poor driveability nagging at your confidence while driving. You don't want it to stumble and die at the wrong time in traffic.

    If it was a carbureted car, and one plug wire fell off, you'd be getting it fixed. Find a parts house with the best price, and you can probably change it yourself with a crescent wrench or socket.

    Source(s): Asc. Auto Tech, ASE Parts, 35 years fixing my own.
  • seems to be important?...because it sounds like youve got a rotary engine?...normally the oxygen sensor (Llamba sensor) doesnt need replacing all the time you are passing your yearly MOT...because emmissions are part of the test?...and any problems would fail it...

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  • 1 decade ago

    yes it will damage the vehicle. computer need this sensor to control fuel mixture precisely. without this input to the computer, vehicle will reduce gas mileage,reduce horsepower,damage the catalytic converter,other oxygen sensors, exhaust pipes,and muffler

  • 1 decade ago

    No not really. It will costy you more in fuel though, and might be a bit hard on your catalytic converter but otherwise.. no...

    its not very much money to replace though you might want to have someone do it anyhow..

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