Re: how to tell if O2 sensor is Bad...

[T Berk <tberk@mindspring.com>]

> robert wrote:
> 
> This is an 86 16V:
> 
> When I purchased my car it had about twice as much oil as it was
> supposed to have in it and it smoked like crazy, even had oil in the
> tail pipe, as well as oil film on all the windows.  Well I changed the
> oil and the car still smoked until the excess oil was burned away and
> now it runs awesome.
>     I just got TT race downpipe and exhaust and want to know if I
> should change my O2 sensor, the light in the dash does not come on and
> it idles good, but all the oil must have dome some damage to the O2
> sensor...I can hear my cat rattling away, but it will be gone soon
> ;-)
> 
> 
> Thanks
> Robert

Too much oil is not so much a problem for the O2 as the seals and valve
guides. Too much oil = too much pressure. How this affects VWs in a
specific way is not in my personal knowledge but if you get a pressure
test on the cylinders (both wet & dry) and monitor the oil pressure you
should be OK.

As for the O2 light, it _won't_ come on, unless you roll past  another
30K miles, at which point a small odometer inline with the speedo cable
will 'pop' it's little button and you get the light. In the mean time
you might have a faulty/ tired O2 and not know it. [Bentley has some
diag tests involving testing it's output in the mVolt range].

If you are going to the trouble to install a new down pipe I'd recommend
not even trusting the old one and just plan on getting a new sensor-
Mike o' Virt Woild er Mark o' the place in the Mountains (contact me if
I'm to cryptic) these guys can hook you up with the right stuff for the
right price.

Sometimes it makes sense to cut corners but when you are putting all new
in, don't forget all the little details too.

(There is always the 'Italian Tune Up' method ;] )

hth,
TBerk

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