1. Increased Fuel Consumption: A faulty oxygen sensor can lead to incorrect air-fuel mixture ratios in the engine. If the sensor is not functioning properly, it may provide incorrect information to the engine's computer, which can result in a richer fuel mixture. This can cause increased fuel consumption as the engine uses more fuel than necessary.
2. Rough Idling and Engine Surging: A faulty oxygen sensor can also cause the engine to run rough at idle or to experience surging (sudden increases and decreases in engine speed). This is because the incorrect air-fuel mixture can cause the engine to run inefficiently, resulting in unstable idling and surging.
3. Check Engine Light Illumination: A faulty oxygen sensor will typically trigger the "check engine" light on the dashboard. This light is designed to alert the driver of potential issues in the engine's emission control system, including problems with the oxygen sensor.
While it's rare for a faulty oxygen sensor to cause a significant loss of power, the issues mentioned above can affect the overall performance and drivability of the vehicle. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to get the oxygen sensor checked and replaced if necessary.
