TEST 4: Manually Inducing A Rich Condition
If you've reached this point (from TEST 1), it's usually because the rear oxygen sensor is reporting a normal condition. This is usually due to one of two things.
Either the catalytic convert is failing intermittently or the rear oxygen sensor has failed.
oxygen sensor's don't last forever and when they fail, they usually just slow down.
What I mean is that they still produce a reaction to the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust but this reaction slows down considerably or just stops.
So then, what we need to do is to test the downstream oxygen sensor's performance to see how fast it reacts to a manually induced Rich condition.
This is what we'll do in this test. OK, this is what you'll need to do:
- 1
Connect your scan tool to the your car or mini-van and start the engine (Don't have a scan tool? Need a scan tool? check out my recommendation: Actron CP9580 Scan Tool Review).
Let the engine idle for at least 15 minutes before you start the test, to get the catalytic converter to activate. - 2
Now, on your scan tool (and once you're in Live Data mode), scroll down to the PID that's labeled O2S12. This PID is the one that will show you what the rear oxygen sensor is reporting in Volts DC.
NOTE: It's the rear oxygen sensor (O2S12) that measures the activity of the catalytic converter.
- 3
Now, take a look at the voltage readings for O2S12.
The voltage reported should be a steady voltage between 0.100 Volts and 0.500 Volts.
NOTE: Unlike the front O2 sensor (O2S11), whose voltage varies constantly/rapidly between 0.1 to 0.9 Volts, the rear O2 sensor's voltage should fluctuates less and stays around 0.5 Volts or less. - 4
With the engine running, have a helper disconnect the vacuum hose that attaches to the fuel pressure regulator and spray a small shot of carburetor spray.
The engine may stall, if your helper sprays too much, if this happens just restart the engine. - 5
As the carb spray enters the vacuum hose, you should see the voltage numbers of O2S12 immediately go up to about 0.900 Volts.
- 6
A few seconds after your helper has stopped spraying carb. cleaner, the rear oxygen sensor voltage numbers should go back down.
Let's take a look at what your test results mean:
CASE 1: The downstream O2 sensor's voltage shot up to 0.9 Volts. This test result tells you that the rear O2 sensor (O2S12) is working.
Since the rear oxygen sensor is working properly, you now know that the catalytic converter is starting to fail, although intermittently. Your next step is to make sure that your engine isn't suffering an abnormal Rich condition. You should:
- Check for and diagnose/repair any trouble codes lighting up the check engine light (CEL).
- Check fuel pressure, with a fuel pressure gauge, to see if it's too high.
- Check for leaking fuel injectors.
- EVAP canister vacuum hose leaking fuel into the intake manifold.
- Make sure all tune up parts (spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, etc.) don't have excessive wear and tear.
- Check for low engine compression.
CASE 2: The downstream O2 sensor's voltage DID NOT shoot up to 0.9 Volts. This tells you that the downstream oxygen sensor is bad and needs to be replaced.
If the oxygen sensor was operating normally, it would have reacted to addition of the carburetor spray immediately by producing a voltage around 0.9 Volts (900 millivolts) since it did not, you can deduce correctly that it's fried and needs to be replaced.
CASE 3: The downstream O2 sensor's wiring is melted to the exhaust pipe. Replace the downstream oxygen sensor.
Where To Buy The O2 Sensor And Save $$$
I used to buy everything I needed (part-wise) for my vehicle at my local auto parts store. Sadly, everything's over priced!!
Buying my parts online has been one of the biggest money saving decisions I've ever made and I think you'll benefit from it too.
At the top of this section, you'll find a link to an oxygen sensor that you can follow. Once you get there, amazon.com will ask you for the specifics of you particular vehicle to make sure it fits. If it doesn't, they'll show you several that will. It's that easy to find the right part!
Give it a try and see for yourself just how much you can save! I think you'll agree that buying it online is a whole cheaper and can be done without having to deal with the hassle of getting to the auto parts store.
More Test Articles
If this article has helped, or in the least it has been informative, check the other in the Honda 2.2L, 2.3L index. You can find this index here: Honda 2.2L, 2.3L Index Of Articles.
Here's a small sample of the articles/tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Find A Bad Fuel Injector (Case Study).
- How To Test A Misfire Condition (Honda 2.2L, 2.3L).
- How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (Honda 2.2L, 2.3L).
- How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
- How To Bench Test A Starter Motor (Step By Step) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
