Hey guys,
Question for you regarding how to diagnose a bad 02 sensor on my 93 vx. A few background bits.
I bought the car about 2 years ago with 135k on it, now 155k. Totally stock, down to the 13 inch rims. Whilst not bought from the original owner, it was bought from their car wash guy who bought it for his nephew who didn't want it. As such their was no additional mileage put on it after the original owners, so the car was in very good shape. Lucky me. Sweet rust free ride for $2200 cash.
The problem: my car has never gotten that good of gas mileage (by vx standards anyway). The lifetime average (that I have had it) is 38.97 mpg (80% city/20% highway, 60-65mph) with only 13 tanks being > 40 mpg. Of those 13, 1/2 of the high mpg tanks were followed by lower than average tanks. I drive pretty darn docile, with most of my shifts being about 1600-1800 rpms, and lots of coasting to stop lights to maximize coast and not come to a stop.
I have researched quite a bit on here but don't see any easy way as to conclusively diagnose a bad o2 sensor. This thread
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2427 shows a way but that gets a bit complicated. I will take that routes if necessary, but rather avoid it.
When I bought the car the sensor wires looked pretty darn clean so I wondered if it had been replaced already. What it is stamped on the outside of the sensor: c6 (I think) OOo L1h1 Japan.
Additional to the bad mpg sometimes my sil works, sometimes it doesn't.
What I have done regarding the o2 sensor:
1) Unplugged it. Cel is on, car runs much smoother, no lean burn stumble. Just did a run around the block so no mpg results.
2) Paper clipped the jump socket on the passenger kick panel. I got NO flashes at all, just a solid light.
What I have done to the car:
Dunlop A60(?) tires, inflated to 37psi (5 above limit)
New Bosch plug wires shortly after purchase. Just replaced these yesterday as they were arcing already.
Honda fuel filter
Sears die hard battery
Every 12k miles:
Splitfire platinum plugs
Honda air filter
Honda cap
Honda rotor
On a side note, my car beeps six times on start up. I don't recall it doing that before but it's quite possible it did. Seems like a lotta beeps though.
Thanks VERY much for any help you can give.
ElCheapo
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