A code 13 is showing up and I was wondering if its BAD to drive with a BAD oxygen sensor? Whats the most that can happen? Does it cause bad GAS MILEAGE? Also, what exactly is the PURPOSE of an OXYGEN SENSOR? Thanks.

 

Yes it can cause terrible gas mileage.

It measures the amount of oxygen remaining in the exhaust after combustion. If there's none left, it knows there's too much fuel; or if there's too much oxygen left, there's not enough fuel.

 

What he said. Plenty of people drive around with bad O2s and never realize it. A lot of the time they dont even throw a code, they just start giving you horrific mileage.

The only thing it'll really do is richen up your fuel mixture substantially... Most of the time when they start to fail, they read a false lean mixture...so they add more fuel. Rich = further destruction of the O2's, spark plug fouling, maybe carbon buildup or something in the engine over a long period of time. No biggie, but I'd change it/them as soon as possible to keep decent mileage and prevent your plugs from getting trashed. And dont forget to reset the ECM after the swap.

 

Do I need any special HAND TOOLS to take out the old one and put a new one in? How long of a job is it? I dont want to take it into a SHOP because it would cost me around 100.00 bucks to just fix it. . . including the part and labor and thats a rip! So please help me.

 

There is a special o2 sensor socket specially designed to fit over the sensor. It has a big slash running up the side. they are like 10 bux at autozone.

 

Screw the tool...don't waste the money. Use an open-ended wrench. If you can't get it to budge, put the wrench on the sensor and grab a hammer and whack the wrench....it'll work like an impact wrench and loosen that sucker right up. Also, if you warm the engine/exhaust pipes up JUST A LITTLE, it might loosen up a tad.

 

IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, SPRAY SOME GOOD PENETRATING OIL IN THE THREAD AREA AND LET IT SET A WHILE, THEN TRY REMOVAL (WORKED FOR ME).