Hey guys I installed my long tubes and off-road ypipe this past weekend but have not yet got oxygen sensor extensions for the front 2 sensors. So the O2 sensors are plugged into the ypipe but not connected electronically to the car and the SES light is lit as expected .. came on after about 5 min when i started driving it.

I've driven it and it runs pretty rich ... smells like im sitting next to the exhaust pipe of a diesel running semi when im stopped, but other than that and the ypipe banging my floorpan in low rpm's, everything seems alright.

Is it safe for me to be driving around with the front O2's disconnected? I've put about 30 miles on it so far mostly highway, any chances I ruined anything? Reason I ask is because the shop from whom I ordered O2 extensions said I shouldn't be driving it. Am I or have I ruined anything? Extensions should be here tomorrow.

Thanks,

Sean

 

the front o2 sensors are VITAL to the car.

they are used to adjust the air/fuel for the engine.

i wouldn't drive without gettting the extensions.

 

Yeah, i wouldn't be driving at all until you get those connected. They are extremely important to how the enitre motor runs. The back ones you can do without, but the front MUST be plugged in.

 

Yeah, front o2 sensor very important to the car. The reason the light didn't come on origionally is because the o2 sensors have to be warm to work right so they aren't even acknowledged by the computer until the car is warmed up.

On a side note, are you going to firebird when it opens this weekend? If so I'll see you there.

 

Nah I won't be there this weekend ... Still in CA for school .. until mid-June ...

Thanks for the replies guys ... Any chance I totally ruined anything running it 30 miles or so on the freeway? Seemed to run okay minus being ultra-rich.

 

Don't think you've ruined anything yet. The PCM is most likely just DUMPING fuel in cause it has no clue whats going on. If do have any issues, check the spark plugs to see if there is fuel on them.

 

I really wouldn't worry about "damaging" anything.

If you do continue to drive it though, you might want to change the plugs (after you get the O2 ext's in there)...and possibly the O2 sensors themselves.
Also, if you are going to be driving it much more, I'd pull the O2's out. There's really no point to them being in there anyway and they're not exactly cheap either (just find something to plug that bung hole).

 

I swapped in brand new NGK TR55's while I did the LT install ... Hopefully they won't be too burnt up ... I'm having some O2 extensions overnighted to me from LS1Speed.com, I'll get them in tomorrow morning before I move the car and then I plan on getting my car into the shop to see if everything is cool ... in addition to checking for any exhaust leaks and to see if they can do anything about my rattling Y-pipe between 1000 and 2000 rpms. Thanks again fellas.

Sean