Could a bad 02 sensor cause overheating?

Question

I had an o2 sensor malfunction code a few moths ago; I cleared the code per the haynes manual and it hasn't shown up again, but could a faulty o2 sensor cause a vehicle to run hot by running too rich of fuel/ air mix? Haven't noticed a decrease in mileage. The dealer couldn't tell me what was wrong; I replaced the thermostat with a new one (and tested it) then took the thermostat right out after I had the same results. I replaced my fan clutch, flushed, checked hoses, no air pockets, no leaks in coolant system, o2 pump works, radiator questionable but throwing a new on in is my next step. The only thing the worthless dealer told me is that there's no leak in the heads. Should I replace that bad sensor or change my radiator... did a sh*tload of trouble shooting on this problem.

'98 3rzfe taco; 4x4

Answer 1

Is it the original radiator? have you ever had water in it? very hard to tell when radiator cores are plugged. I would have gone through same steps you have. I would say it is time for the radiator to be replaced also.

Answer 2

02 just senses the burnt mixture and adjusts the fuel/timing, nothing that would cause over heating. When an 02 sensor goes bad, your car throws a check engine light, when that light comes on, your car goes into a default mode where it protects itself by dumping the same gas and air mixture regardless of the conditions that would be monitered by the 02 sensors.

If the 02 is bad or throwing a code because of a clog in the exhaust system like a bend in the piping or a clogged cat, it would cause some back pressure, affect the 02 sensor and stop exhaust scavenging would have exhaust still left in the combustion chamber, perhaps harming it and POSSIBLY over heating. Consider that and also if you have an EGR valve, consider cleaning that out. If not if you believe the radiator has clogged fins, I do recommend swapping it because backpressure would cause the tanks on the side of the radiator to fail and/or burst.

Water pump failing is also a sign of overheating, check the water pump weep hole or just check to see if the water pump is leaking fluid.

Answer 3

first of all, you did not say what kind of vehicle it is , which is a big factor in diagnosing a problem ! it is very doubtful that you even have an o2 problem if you cleared the light and it has not come back on with the o2 code ! to check for a blocked radiator, bring the vehicle to operating temperature and the feel the air temperature from the fan at the top and the bottom ! if your radiator is blocked you will be able to feel a difference, if not stopped up you will feel no difference the air will feel the same temp. at top and bottom ! if you have a ford vehicle, the most common problem is the impeller on the water pump ! hard to say though without knowing make, model, & engine size !

Answer 4

Replace that O2 sensor. It's not difficult to do and CAN cause overheating, depending on your vehicle. Some are designed to run in 'limp mode' if the O2 sensor isn't sending proper information to your ECM. Engine timing changes, as well as fuel mixture. Even if the O2 sensor isn't the final issue, it's worth replacing to insure the best performance from your vehicle.

I trust you DID take the steps of cleaning out any accumulations on the exterior fins of the radiator ? A blocked air flow definitely can cause an overheat.

Answer 5

The to upstrean (financial business enterprise a million) sensors are component of the gasoline administration equipment, meaning they supply enter that the PCM makes use of to alter gasoline trims and regulate gasoline transport, so with regards to a failed O2 sensor, it is going to result gas milage and at last characteristic to untimely plug placed on and fouling. There are different sensing contraptions on the truck that are additionally monitored to calculate those issues, so there wont be any severe injury by utilising utilising it, besides the indisputable fact that it is going to reason a noticable loss of milage and drivability concerns jointly with hesitations, tough idle, and skill loss. The financial business enterprise 2 sensors down flow in the back of the Cat convertor are strictly monitoring sensors that visual exhibit unit the situation of the CAT convertor. The experience whether that's changing the exhaust gasses. If a financial business enterprise 2 sensor fails, it is going to deliver a difficulty code, yet supply you no drivability themes or result gasoline milage. Failure of the a financial business enterprise a million sensor besides the indisputable fact that could reason it to misadjust gasoline by utilising making it attempt to over compensate or going into limp mode and inflicting a wealthy or lean situation , ensuing in a string of alternative plausible codes and at last unfavourable the Cat convertor to boot. in case you have consistent mess ups of a similar sensor, you will possibly desire to to check out further to work out why they are failing. There are issues jointly with a leaking intake gasket which could wreck O2 sensors using coolant getting on them it quite is making its way for the time of the exhaust manifold. it would additionally be somthing so trouble-free as a vacuum leak, inflicting it to study a lean situation, yet whilst its a real O2 failure and not examining out of parameters, then you definately probable the two are paying for aftermarket junk sensors, or somthing is inflicting it to fail. I especially recommend AC Delco areas once you're changing any electric powered or engine managment sensors. In my adventure, the failure fee of o.e.m digital areas made for GM autos is amazingly severe and that i've got replace many many junk aftermarket areas to handle on-going issues on autos that had "new" aftermarket areas on them.