Oxygen Sensors, etc

[ernieh]

Hi All,
Have been following the recent debacle about contaminated petrol in the South West, and noticed that most of the correspondence identifies the O2 Sensors as the component that fails when contaminated by Silica (SiO2). This is formed when a silicone compound is burned and forms as a coating on the sensor. I don't have any problems with this as as the reason that cars so affected splutter to a stop.

What happens next is what bothers me and I thought that for the benefit of any Forum members so affected I would pass on my thoughts. Of course, the next thing that happens is that the O2 Sensor is replaced and the fuel tank cleaned of any remaining contaminated fuel, and hopefully everything is back to normal. However, I would suggest that there could be other problems thrown up, not immediately but perhaps some time after the initial claim to whoever was responsible has been settled. For example, the Exhaust Catalyst will also get a coating of Silica which at best will reduce its activity; silica (which is a very hard, abrasive material) is also likely to coat valves and piston crowns, etc, etc, who knows?

In short, I am saying that the problem doesn't stop at the O2 sensor and if anybody on the forum has the problem, they should be getting the emissions checked and monitored as well.

Sorry that this is a bit long-winded, but I would be glad of the opinion of the Forum experts.

Ernie

 

[jberks]

I fully agree. It's ok fixing the duff O2 sensor, but presumably other items are also contaiminated (especially the cat) and assuming it can't be cleaned off, what are the longer term consequences?

 

[type49]

All of the later V engines have 4 cats + 4 sensors. Expensive.

 

[in&out]

I think I may have filled up with contaminated fuel the car still runs but the warning light has come on and the engine was not running as smoothly as normal.

Is replacing the oxygen sensor a diy job? how much do they cost? and if they are now in short supply is it possible to repair the sensor rather than replace?

p.s. does anyone know a good lawyer willing to sue tesco.

 

[television]

Well it certainly gets on the insides of the valves and down the bores,in normal thinking one would have thought that the heat would have destroyed any deposits,its getting on for 600c at the CATs.

Pity it was not teflon as the engine would stay clean forever.

The sensors scew in and need the wires joining up,though some are hard to get to.

Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

I recently had the mobil I oil problem, which destroyed many engines, and this was a result of a bad batch of oil. But here we are looking at a different problem with long term effects. Silicone in an engine system has not been experienced before and therefore we dont know the effects. I think its better for those who have experienced this problem to wait and see the effects. and then sue accordingly, but who do you sue?

 

[ernieh]

I recently had the mobil I oil problem, which destroyed many engines, and this was a result of a bad batch of oil. But here we are looking at a different problem with long term effects. Silicone in an engine system has not been experienced before and therefore we dont know the effects. I think its better for those who have experienced this problem to wait and see the effects. and then sue accordingly, but who do you sue?

The retailer who sold the fuel to those affected has the responsibility in law to ensure that it is 'fit for purpose'. It is then for them make a claim against their supplier.

As you say, the long term effects are unknown. However there is also the danger of victims accepting a payment 'in full and final settlement', making it difficult if not impossible to re-open the case when further symptoms appear.

I can see some lawyers making a fortune out of this problem!!

 

[television]

I can see some lawyers making a fortune out of this problem!!

As you say really,very difficult in the long term and where will wear and tear come into it, biggest snag is that you must have your reciept, how many will have that. If you did a fill up on a ½ full tank you may not notice for some time.

Malcolm

 

[bibamus]

Hi All,
Have been following the recent debacle about contaminated petrol in the South West, and noticed that most of the correspondence identifies the O2 Sensors as the component that fails when contaminated by Silica (SiO2). This is formed when a silicone compound is burned and forms as a coating on the sensor. I don't have any problems with this as as the reason that cars so affected splutter to a stop.

What happens next is what bothers me and I thought that for the benefit of any Forum members so affected I would pass on my thoughts. Of course, the next thing that happens is that the O2 Sensor is replaced and the fuel tank cleaned of any remaining contaminated fuel, and hopefully everything is back to normal. However, I would suggest that there could be other problems thrown up, not immediately but perhaps some time after the initial claim to whoever was responsible has been settled. For example, the Exhaust Catalyst will also get a coating of Silica which at best will reduce its activity; silica (which is a very hard, abrasive material) is also likely to coat valves and piston crowns, etc, etc, who knows?

In short, I am saying that the problem doesn't stop at the O2 sensor and if anybody on the forum has the problem, they should be getting the emissions checked and monitored as well.

Sorry that this is a bit long-winded, but I would be glad of the opinion of the Forum experts.

Ernie

I think the problem is in the South East, where I live, but, as I find Tesco petrol to increase my fuel consumption, I dont use it regularly, and luckily, last week, I used Sainsburys fuel.
I just changed my o2 sensor last month anyway! It cost about £65 and was a 10 minute job to change.

But, there seems to arguments as to whether it was silicon, silicone or silica that was found. Is there a difference? I thought silicon was a lubricant and silica ( gel) was a desicant and came in little packets that we are all told not to eat ( but not why!!)

Allan

 

[eric242340]

I think the problem is in the South East, where I live, but, as I find Tesco petrol to increase my fuel consumption, I dont use it regularly, and luckily, last week, I used Sainsburys fuel.
I just changed my o2 sensor last month anyway! It cost about £65 and was a 10 minute job to change.

But, there seems to arguments as to whether it was silicon, silicone or silica that was found. Is there a difference? I thought silicon was a lubricant and silica ( gel) was a desicant and came in little packets that we are all told not to eat ( but not why!!)

Allan

From what ive read so far, they are talking about a silicone compound. No matter what it is we still dont know the long term effects and that is the most worrying part. As has been mentioned dont take a one term settlement.

 

[television]

I recently had the mobil I oil problem, which destroyed many engines, and this was a result of a bad batch of oil.

There must be a news story somewhere that covers this,as I cannot find it anywhere in the world,with MB or Mobile, perhaps you could put the details up for us to read. must have been some story.


Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

There must be a news story somewhere that covers this,as I cannot find it anywhere in the world,with MB or Mobile, perhaps you could put the details up for us to read. must have been some story.


Malcolm

It was some story Malcolm, but only in China. And Im sure Mobile are not going to make an international story of this. The only media reports where on chinese TV and newspapers. I dont know of any international coverage such as the fuel problem in UK at the moment. Also the chinese are not the sort of people to advertise problems internationally if you get my drift. Sorry cant give you the sort of information you need. Also international coverage of any news here is controled by the main university in the capital. Try to understand what im saying, this is not a free information state. Thanks eric.

 

[television]

It was some story Malcolm, but only in China. And Im sure Mobile are not going to make an international story of this. The only media reports where on chinese TV and newspapers. I dont know of any international coverage such as the fuel problem in UK at the moment. Also the chinese are not the sort of people to advertise problems internationally if you get my drift. Sorry cant give you the sort of information you need. Also international coverage of any news here is controled by the main university in the capital. Try to understand what im saying, this is not a free information state. Thanks eric.

I knew that this would be the answer,thats why I asked the question in the first place and so secret that you can enjoy the Web but the Chinese people cant, all one sided isnt it.

malcolm

 

[eric242340]

I knew that this would be the answer,thats why I asked the question in the first place and so secret that you can enjoy the Web but the Chinese people cant, all one sided isnt it.

malcolm

Malcolm, you dont understand a communist system, and its not the secrecy thats a problem. I have an inernet connection that is monitored. They cant stop me from reporting this Mobil I thing because its all over their news. But i must watch my Ps an Qs do you get my drift?

 

[television]

Malcolm, you dont understand a communist system, and its not the secrecy thats a problem. I have an inernet connection that is monitored. They cant stop me from reporting this Mobil I thing because its all over their news. But i must watch my Ps an Qs do you get my drift?

Thats the bit I like they cant stop you but they can stop every one else.

And Mobile only sent the bad oil to China as no one would know as its all so secret.

Better be careful Tesco could send all of their duff petrol to China and no one would know,I like it, I will await your posting that says that you have 250.000 MBs all damaged with bad petrol.

Malcolm:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[eric242340]

Thats the bit I like they cant stop you but they can stop every one else.

And Mobile only sent the bad oil to China as no one would know as its all so secret.

Better be careful Tesco could send all of their duff petrol to China and no one would know,I like it, I will await your posting that says that you have 250.000 MBs all damaged with bad petrol.

Malcolm:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Thanks for that malcolm, if they do ill make a fortune lol