what does, oxygen sensor too rich/lean mean? is it dangerous to ignore this?

Answer 1

It means that the engine is receiving too much fuel or not enough fuel for the correct air/fuel ratio! It is dangerous in the long run because you can damage you catalytic converter which in turn can cause burnt valves, valve seats, and upper cylinder wear.

More than likely you have a simple vacuum leak. Could be a hose or a gasket possibly even a sensor.

A faulty MAF, or MAP sensor can cause an engine to run rich/lean.

You can check for a vacuum leak yourself by buying a can of brakekleen or throttle body/carb cleaner and w/ the eng. running, spray in short bursts on all hoses, around the air cleaner, the throttle body or carb, egr gasket, intake gasket, any gasket on the upper part of the engine, if the engine revs up a little there's your leak.

You can check for a poss. exhaust manifold leak by using soapy water in a spray bottle, if it bubbles, there you go

Answer 2

Not dangerous to ignore. But, it means that either, you're engines running an air fuel above 14.7 parts of air to 1 part of fuel or its running below that ratio. That can be the case if you've got worn spark plugs or bad fuel injectors. OR, it could be that the O2 sensor is going and cant tell how the cars running. If you are running too rich or too lean i wouldnt let it go too long though, you'll end up spending extra money that you dont have too

Answer 3

I'd get it looked at right away - when my oxygen sensor went out my car died every time I stopped for a light or stop sign. Not what you want to have happen when driving through town during rush hour - sometimes it would start right up and sometimes it would take awhile.

Answer 4

Too lean can run hot. Too rich will cook the catalytic converter.

Answer 5

running too lean (too little gas in fuel /air mixture) tends to overheat the valves, shortening their life /// too rich (more gas than needed) tends to be inefficient