Questions and Answers

Isuzu Impulse Eats O2 Sensors Q. Hi Vince, I have an 1984 Isuzu Impulse, and my oxygen sensors keep going bad every four or five months. I know this because I have identified the code in the blinking check engine light, and after I change the sensor the light stops flashing the code. My question is, what might be causing my oxygen sensors to go foul so often? Thanks for the help, David

A. First thing I have to say is are you sure it's the O2 sensor that's going bad? All too often a code is mis-read and a lot of O2 sensors get replaced even though it's operating properly by reporting a, usually, rich or lean mixture. It would be nice to know what the code is.

Assuming, for the moment, that the code is correct, the main reason for repeated O2 sensor failures is due to engine oil burning. The oil residue coats the O2 sensor causing it to fail prematurely.