Does your Land Rover have low fuel efficiency or is the Check Engine Light on? If yes, then let us guide you to one of the sources of the problem. One of the main concerns that are frequently reported in Land Rover models is oxygen sensor problems. Oxygen sensors are one of the most important components of the Land Rover’s engine management system and their function is to constantly measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases and relay this information to the ECU.
The ECU then changes the air-fuel mixture to achieve the best combustion in the engine cylinder for your car. When it is absent or failing, you may experience varied performance problems and even severe harm to the engine parts. If your Land Rover is not performing as it used to or if you have noticed some strange signs, then there is a possibility that the oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) may be the culprit. Below are the potential symptoms that indicate that the O2 sensor might be failing and what you should do about it.
Signs of a Failing Oxygen Sensor in Your Land Rover
- Check Engine Light: The first indication that there is a problem with the oxygen sensor is when the check engine light is on. Since the sensor is connected to the ECU, any failure of the sensor will lead to the generation of a fault code that illuminates the warning light. When your check engine light is on, it is advisable to get a diagnostic check to find out whether the oxygen sensor is the problem.
- Low fuel efficiency: When the oxygen sensor is faulty, your Land Rover will consume more fuel than it should. Since the sensor assists in controlling the air-fuel mixture, a failure means an excess of fuel is injected into the engine – high fuel consumption. If you realize that you are frequently refueling your car more than before, then your oxygen sensor may be faulty.
- Rough Idling and Engine Misfires: If the sensor is faulty, it will send wrong signals to the ECU and the engine will be supplied with an incorrect mixture of air and fuel. This can make the engine to vibrate while idling, misfire while accelerating or even feel too lazy to respond. If your Land Rover has some problems with the engine such as shaking, stalling or rough idle, then your O2 sensor could be the cause.
- Emission Problems: Oxygen sensor failure may cause the catalytic converter which clears dangerous emissions to become bad and give off a bad smell. If the sensor permits excess fuel into the system, unburned fuel may reach the catalytic converter and result in the production of a strong sulfur or “rotten egg” smell. This is a severe problem because it causes the catalytic converter to fail, which is costly to repair.
- Higher Fuel Consumption: Your Land Rover’s O2 sensor plays a vital role in the process of complete combustion of fuel. When the sensor fails, the engine may run rich, that is, with an excess of fuel, or lean, with not enough fuel, both of which contribute to high emissions.
What to Do If Your Land Rover Has a Failing Oxygen Sensor
- Get a Professional Diagnosis: If the problem is caused by an oxygen sensor, the only way to be certain is by getting a diagnostic scan. A trained mechanic will be able to decipher the code and take a look at the sensor to see whether it requires replacement.
- Replace the Sensor: In case the sensor is affected, it will be replaced. Thankfully, an oxygen sensor is a relatively easy fix, and it can bring improvements in fuel economy and power output almost right away.
Consult with Our Specialists at Dell’s Service Center
Dell’s Service Center is a company that 
deals with the repair and maintenance of Land Rover vehicles such as diagnosing and replacing the oxygen sensor. Our technicians in Green Bay, WI have worked on many European cars and are capable of returning your Land Rover to its optimal state.
If you are a resident of Green Bay, Manitowoc, or Sturgeon Bay, WI, and you think that your oxygen sensor is faulty, visit our shop for a diagnosis. We will identify the problem, fix it, and make your Land Rover perform optimally as it was from the factory. If you see any of these signs do not hesitate to contact us to set the date for a checkup.