Friday, November 8, 2013
Is the Oxygen Sensor Part of the Engine
Modern automobiles rely on sophisticated computerized engine management systems that include fuel injection, and monitor the air/fuel ratio by means of oxygen sensors in the exhaust system. Thus, oxygen sensors are an integral part of the engine system.
Air/Fuel Ratio
The air/fuel ratio for a gasoline engine has an optimal value of 14.7 to 1. This ratio results in good performance, and also reduces harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Oxygen sensors monitor and maintain this critical ratio.
Performance and Emissions
Too much fuel in the air/fuel mix results in a "rich" mixture, and produces excessive unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Too little fuel results in a "lean" mixture, which produces excessive nitrogen oxide emissions. The fuel/air mix changes in response to data from the oxygen sensors, which monitor these emissions to make sure that the mix is neither too rich nor too lean.
Computer Management
A properly functioning engine management system uses fuel injection metering, a computer program and emissions sensors to ensure optimal engine performance, and the lowest possible level of harmful emissions, under a wide variety of operating conditions.
