Another Lambda failure?

S

Shunt

Member
Manchester - ish
Emissions light has just come on again after not using the car for a couple of days, seems strange telling the muppet on the service desk what the problem is, her reply "a what sensor?" oh never mind........

Anyway a least it's still in warranty, I'll ask them to look at the rear springs while they're poking around.
 
Is that your first sensor fail?? I regularly leave the car in the garage for a week or two without running it through the Winter but I haven't had one go (yet!)
 
No it's my second, assuming that's what the problem is. I usually use Tesco 99, and recently had to put some normal slurp in. I remember that being a factor last time.
 
I really dont use SU often enough these days but mine had 2 O2 sensors in 30k, hoping it won't need any more.
 
Confirmed, one of the lambda sensors has gone again. Booked in for a replacement next week. They want £15 for a courtesy car and I'd rather they didn't bother washing the car, they just smear dirt around. I think I'm going off BMW.
 
I had my first lambda failure yesterday after using 97 octane UL. It was post CAT. I just wanted to ask if anyone had ever seen an increase in performance with the post CAT lambda sensor failing? Car seems to be absolutely FLYING, immediate and urgent pick up and a real increase in the surge to the redline. I remember the old Vauxhall group N fuelling modification swapped from a closed loop system to an open loop system. Is this just in my head?
 
No it's not in your head, now you come to mention it mine is running better with the emissions light on. Not sure which sensor has failed, but yes much smoother, more urgent pickup too. Could be the colder air though....
 
Not used the car at all in the last three weeks due to the snow, but there has been quite a bit of stopping and starting the engine, partly due to a failed attempt to get out of the garage. Disaster very narrowly avoided, I gave up and waited until the snow had melted

Z4_2.jpg


On the first proper drive, fully warmed engine etc, I gave it some revs and then my emissions light came on. Can I assume that this is the dreaded lambda sensor failure? Car's done 19k miles, but I guess that's not too relevant judging from other similar posts.

Shame, I was enjoying being back behind the wheel.

Cheers

James
 
Sorry to go slightly off topic but I'm sensing I might be using the wrong fuel in mine.
'04 2.5i - should I be using unleaded or super unleaded?
I've only put one tank full in since buying the car but assumed normal unleaded would be ok.
 
Seems I might have been a little quick with my post - didn't realise it was in the 'M' specific forum. :oops:
Apologies!
 
You shouldn't be restricted to SU, your engine will take both happily, your results with SU will be dependant on whether you stick with it or not, the odd tank here & there you may not notice the difference.

Wow.. ^^ that's really close. Without the mirror in place too, must have been scary to look back when you got out.

Sounds like the o2 sensor - but I'd run it for a bit just in case, get some SU in it and give it a good run. I've had two sensors go on mine (about 15k & 26k iirc) and you barely notice the difference except the EML light, but more recently I've had splutters which triggered the EML but then turned out to be fuel related and solved themselves, without leaving any codes.
 
Andy said:
Wow.. ^^ that's really close. Without the mirror in place too, must have been scary to look back when you got out.

quote]

It was a bit of a shock I can tell you, but the car shifted on the snow so it was far from planned.

Anyway car booked in on Friday at local dealer for investigation. Bought through AUC so warranty should cover any problems.
Click to expand...
 
Local dealer confirmed that lambda sensor had failed, but part not in stock so going back to have it fitted. All covered by warranty of course - which I am relieved about, since they tell me the part is £160 and there's fitting on top.

Meanwhile they had an M3 Edition in the showroom - very nice.
 
Emissions light here, 14100 miles.

Just reading the posts above...I filled the car up last night with unleaded after picking it up. Car was fine on the 100 mile trip home. Emissions (picture of engine block) light on today when I got the car out to go for a run.

Car is not misfiring or anything.

BTW is the O2 sensor and the lambda sensor the same thing?

Ta
 
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