Engine Management Light o2 sensor Problem

[LouLou]

Hi All.

I was just wondering if any of you can shed some light on this problem for me please.

I have a 04 1.1 LX Picanto. The engine managenent light first came on in October last year and was analysed by the dealer ship twice as needing a new o2 sensor. The light stayed on for about 2 months then came on an off intermittently.

That dealership then went in to liquidation and I took it to another dealer they re-analysed and said the same. The sensor was replaced at the end of March.

Two weeks later the light re appears analysed again - needs a new o2 sensor.

Well I am wondering if this is a known problem or if this is indeed the problem. My car is comming up to the end of its warranty and the dealer doesn't seem to be interested really.

I hope you can help.

Many thanks.

[robertstone]

Hi there, that sounds similar to my problem which the dealership haven't yet diagnonsed. Does the car drive differently when the light is on? Mine feels like a cyclinder isn't firing.

[LouLou]

Hi

When the light it on it seems a bit sluggish acceleration wise but I may be imagining this I suppose. It definitely uses more petrol.

I was told the o2 sensor manages something to do with the o2/fuel ratio and this is why it may use more petrol. But It would not do the car any damage at all.

I hope you get your problem diagnosed soon.

[ron1004]

Originally Posted by LouLou

Hi

When the light it on it seems a bit sluggish acceleration wise but I may be imagining this I suppose. It definitely uses more petrol.

I was told the o2 sensor manages something to do with the o2/fuel ratio and this is why it may use more petrol. But It would not do the car any damage at all.

I hope you get your problem diagnosed soon.

If the O2 sensor fails then the ECU uses a "limp Home" value for the fuel /air ratio, which is rich.
This would make the car sluggish and use more fuel.

A rich mixture and a lean mixture cause damage, with the rich mixture being the lesser of the two evils.
Lean mixtures burn valves and pistons, whereas a rich mixture causes soot that gets into the piston rings and cause cylinder and piston wear.

Some fuel additives can cause problems with the O2 sensor.

[LouLou]

Thank you for your reply. It does sound like this is what's happening then.

[hanzel371]

Dear all -

How economical is the picanto? am reviewing the owner's experiences and it doesnt match with what the manufacturers here in the Philippines is claiming. Can it really go 20 kms / li in normal city traffic? How is its performance? are the parts durable?

thanks!

[robertstone]

My problem has returned, I'm 99% certain that one of the cyclinders isn't firing when it happens. I have my foot to the floor and am stuck at 20mph. Does seem that I've been just unlucky though as no one else has had similar problems. Ah well, trying my third dealer this week!