Month: January 2022

How to Troubleshoot O2 Sensor Failure in Volkswagens

Posted on January 20, 2022 by - Volkswagen Repair

Volkswagen Engine Misfire

Volkswagens come equipped with an O2 sensor which simply measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. When too much or too little oxygen runs through the exhaust, the sensor sends signals to the ECM to adjust the air/fuel mix. This helps your Volkswagen run smoothly and reduce emissions.

When less oxygen is present in the car’s gasoline, more fuel will remain after combustion. This is called a rich mixture. However, when more oxygen is present in gasoline, it is referred to as a lean mixture.

A rich mixture prevents fuel from burning off properly, creating excess pollution emitted from your Volkswagen. While a lean air/fuel mixture creates nitrogen-oxide, which pollutes the atmosphere and leads to a decrease in overall vehicle performance and, subsequently, engine damage. This article will discuss the symptoms and the causes of a defective oxygen sensor.

The Volkswagen O2 Sensor

The oxygen sensor is the electronic measuring tool your engine’s computer uses to properly regulate the operation of your Volkswagen’s engine and keep it running smoothly and safely. It sends readings to the engine’s Electronic Computer Module (ECM) to adjust the air/fuel ratio in the engine.

The oxygen sensor measures the level of fuel and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that leave the engine cylinders. The sensing element is a zirconium ceramic bulb coated on both sides with a thin coat of platinum. The bulb comes in contact with the hot exhaust gases, and the inside of the bulb is vented through the sensor body or wiring. Should the sensor detect too much fuel or gases, the ECU reduces the flow of fuel into the engine, and if the sensor detects too little fuel, the ECU increases the amount of fuel entering the engine.

Over time, the sensors age and become less accurate or faulty. When the sensor is damaged, the ECM cannot properly regulate the air/fuel mixture.

Symptoms of Bad O2 Sensors

When your Volkswagen’s O2 sensor is damaged, the following are the possible symptoms that you may notice:

  • Check Engine Light Comes On: This is known to be the easiest way to determine when your Volkswagen’s oxygen sensor is damaged. When the O2 sensor fails, the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) sends a signal to the ECM that illuminates the check engine light to alert the driver to the issue.
  • Increased Fuel Consumption: When the O2 sensor is damaged, it fails to regulate the air/fuel mixture efficiently. Thus, too much fuel can be sent to the engine. This will cause your fuel mileage to suffer.
  • Engine Misfires: As a result of the imbalance in the air/fuel mixture caused by the damaged O2 sensor, the standard engine combustion process is disrupted, resulting in a misfire. Engine misfires frequently occur at lower speeds.
  • Rough Engine Idle: A bad O2 sensor may cause different problems within the engine, including driving it to idle roughly.

Causes of Oxygen Sensor Failures

The failure of the oxygen sensors is usually caused by:

  • The natural wear and tear of the sensors after a long period of use is one of the primary causes of its failure.
  • The contamination of the sensors by the by-products of the engine combustion process is another source of its failure.
  • Also, the sensor’s location in the exhaust system exposes it to high temperatures that could damage it when the temperature goes up astronomically.

You should ensure that the failed oxygen sensor is replaced with a quality one to avoid accelerated wear of the replacement. Therefore, you should entrust the replacement to a mechanic you can trust to deliver quality service.

Carotech Automotive: The Go-To Shop For Quality European Auto Maintenance

At Carotech Automotive, We offer repair and maintenance services for your Volkswagen and other European vehicles. Volkswagen O2 Sensor Check Preserving the high performance these vehicles have to offer requires quality service.

Our team has remained committed to providing high-quality services and repairs for European auto owners throughout Los Angeles, CA. Our ASE-certified mechanics have decades of experience working with all models of European and Japanese vehicles.

Our mechanics employ the latest factory-grade tools and equipment available to ensure quality repairs and services. Whether for annual maintenance or emergency repairs, please call or stop by our shop today and let our friendly staff help you take better care of your car.

Where to Go in Los Angeles to Fix Check Engine Light Issues in Your Audi

Posted on January 3, 2022 by - Audi Repair

Audi Check Engine Light

There are many reasons why the check engine light in your vehicle could come on, some more serious than others, but no matter what the reason is, an experienced Audi specialist will be able to help you diagnose and fix the problems that are causing the light to turn on. Today, we’ll be talking about some of the most common reasons why the check engine light comes on in a car and where you can go to get the issue resolved.

Why Your Audi’s Check Engine Light Is Turning On

When your Audi’s check engine light comes on, a mechanic will be able to use specialized technology to read the codes behind the light and figure out what’s wrong. There are some frequently experienced reasons why it might happen that you should know about:

  • A loose or missing gas cap. This is one of the most common reasons for a check engine light, and luckily, it’s also usually a pretty simple solution. A lot of people might forget to replace the gas cap when filling up their cars, which in many cases, can cause the check engine light to come on. You may not realize it, but a loose or missing gas cap can lower fuel efficiency significantly since it allows fuel fumes to escape. Just make sure you always replace the gas cap.
  • Catalytic converter problems. Your Audi’s catalytic converter is the component that turns the harmful gases that your car produces into benign ones. It’s there to cut down on your vehicle’s environmental impact a little bit, and without it, your car cannot pass emissions tests. If this is the issue, you’ll need to take your car in to get it fixed.
  • Oxygen sensor issues. Your Audi’s engine needs to maintain a careful balance of fuel and oxygen inside it to function at its best. The oxygen sensor, as its name suggests, detects the amount of oxygen inside the engine and lets the engine know if it needs more or less fuel to keep the ratios balanced. If the sensors don’t work, your car’s fuel efficiency will go down, and if left unfixed for too long, you can run into even more serious issues later on.
  • Bad spark plugs. The spark plugs are what allows your car to start. They provide the spark that ignites the engine and starts the combustion Symptoms of malfunctioning spark plugs include difficulty in starting the car, engine misfiring, and rough idling, so if your check engine light comes on and you’re also experiencing one of those symptoms, there’s a chance it’s the spark plugs.
  • Mass Airflow Sensor Malfunction. The Mass Airflow Sensor, or the MAF Sensor, is there to determine how much air is entering the engine. This helps with the regulation of airflow and the balancing of air and fuel in the engine. Naturally, if the MAF sensor stops working, your Audi will begin to have lower fuel efficiency. It could eventually lead to more serious engine problems as well.
  • Faulty ignition coil. The ignition coil is another essential part of your Audi’s engine that helps start the car. If it’s broken or not working for some reason, you might experience some similar symptoms to the ones you see from bad spark plugs.

How to Fix Your Check Engine Light

As we’ve discussed, there are many reasons why Audi Spark Plug Check your check engine light might come on. The reasons I listed earlier are only some of them. The best way to figure out exactly what is causing the light to come on is to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic, especially one who is experienced with and knowledgeable about Audi vehicles.

Whether your Audi has engine problems, some other issue, or it just needs routine maintenance, the best place to go is Carotech Automotive and Tires in Los Angeles, California. Our highly skilled mechanics have a well-rounded understanding of many different automobile brands, including domestic, Asian, and European brands like Audi. If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call. We’d love to get to know you!