Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Jay w on 12 January 2008, 23:53:17

Title: Pale looking lambda
Post by: Jay w on 12 January 2008, 23:53:17
Took the lambda off the old cat that was being taken off the car today.

Normal Lambdas that i have seen in the past have looked very sooty and black, the one i took off the car was very pale looking and it made me wonder.

LPG runs cleaner than petrol, would the lambdas be a lot paler or is this because the car is running lean?
Title: Re: Pale looking lambda
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 13 January 2008, 00:07:53
mine was dark grey when I take them out..But not sure for LPG..

it may differ..
Title: Re: Pale looking lambda
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 January 2008, 00:11:38
Just like plugs, deposits are not necessarily an indication of mixture, especially with unleaded petrol which doesn't tend to leave deposits (other than carbon). I find it's pretty variable what state they are in.

Could well be down to the gas burning cleaner. It's more often down to what the car was doing before it was last shut down. If it's shut down hot after a long run, for example, the carbon will have burnt off leaving the sensor clean. Leave it idling for a while and it will build up again as the sensor is running relatively cool.

I don't think it's a cause for concern. If it were not able to control the mixture you would have the EML on.

Kevin
Title: Re: Pale looking lambda
Post by: Craig_R on 13 January 2008, 00:20:58
I remember when i changed mine it was light grey and i only run on gas well 5 mins of petrol or if that even :)
Title: Re: Pale looking lambda
Post by: N2STY on 13 January 2008, 09:05:13
(http://www.lambdasensor.com/main/pic/sensora.jpg)

      A: Antifreeze Contamination

Antifreeze in the exhaust will attack and destroy the sensing element. A leaking head gasket commonly causes antifreeze contamination.

(http://www.lambdasensor.com/main/pic/sensorb.jpg)

      B: Rich Fuel Mixture

This will cause a heavy black carbon layer to form on the sensor element. Rich fuel mixture is usually caused by a failure in the air/fuel metering system

(http://www.lambdasensor.com/main/pic/sensorc.jpg)

      C: High Oil Consumption

This will coat the sensing element with a crusty, brown layer. Worn piston rings and valve guides, or other internal engine problems can cause high oil consumption.

(http://www.lambdasensor.com/main/pic/sensord.jpg)


      D: Silicone Poisoning

Residue from silicone lubricants will rapidly destroy the sensors element. Care should be exercised not to get silicone lubricants on the oxygen sensor when it is being installed.


 :y
Title: Re: Pale looking lambda
Post by: Craig_R on 13 January 2008, 10:11:06
Mine did look like the Antifreeze one but my head gasket had gone so that make perfect sence in my case.

Craig