How long can you drive with a busted oxygen sensor

[TrogL]

It's been acting up for about a month, gradually getting worse. It's been hesitating and making the noise cars make when the fuel mixture's too rich. Other times it runs fine. I had thought it was a bad sparkplug but changed my mind.

Today it got really rough and the engine light went on and stayed on.

I can't afford to get it fixed until month end.

Is it driveable? Will it hurt anything other than my gas mileage?

[ProudGerman]

1. How old is your car

Do you know if its OBD I or OBD II? I've been running my car with a busted second O2 sensor for two years, and other than running rich and needing to clean the gummy deposits, all is good. (OBD II cars ignore the second O2 sensor at WOT anyways)

[TrogL]

6. 95 windstar van

It's also been overheating and I just replaced the thermostat. It's still overheating, but this morning I topped up the rad properly (I was doing it wrong) and it's been improved, but still not right.

Oil is clear of radiator fluid. It's not using much oil or radiator fluid. Exhaust looks fine. Plugs haven't been changed since I got it (about a year).

[CanuckAmok]

8. You won't have a short-term problem...

But a Windstar O2 sensor can be found dirt cheap in any wreckers. I picked up one for a '90 Mustang LX the other day for $30.

You may run too rich, but that won't hurt tour engine for a while.

Your mileage will suffer.

[tridim]

2. It'll just mess with your car's computer

You might get bad mileage but I doubt it'll cause any damage. Just an incorrect fuel/air mixture.

O2 sensors are such a rip off, they're about the size of a spark plug and cost around $250, just for the part. What the? I think it's a scam.

[i have issues]

3. My 83 volvo had the same prob.

I drove it for about 2 months before it started sounding really scary...could barely make safe highway speeds... took it in had the damned thing replaced with a USED part for 400 bucks... hope you don't own a volvo... EXPENSIVE! Good luck, get it replaced as soon as you can, apparently it can lead to other problems.

[raysr]

5. O2

If it's a GM it's cheap, Jap, Expensive. Use more gas, clog up cat. Running lean, burn valves, ping, make hole in piston, overheating. I wouldn't ignore it.

[illini]

4. Get it fixed now.

Its not terrible on your car but it will cost you in the long run. Your car will use more gas and get dirtier quicker. Dirtier means even less effeciency. Dirtier engine also means dirtier air. Have a good one. :smoke: <- ya I spotted the irony :P

[jus_the_facts]

7. it starts dumping lot's o' gas into your oil.....

....and blowin' black smoke outta the tailpipe and backfirin'...but it's goin' on 2 years now and still haven't gotten it fixed...the sensor for this truck is 700.00...just get your oil changed every other week and RIDE ON...RIDE ON...RIDE ON! :evilgrin:

[SoCalDem]

9. Til you pass out or the mask drops from the visor??

:shrug: