02 sensor and leaded fuel

[bax]

Will leaded fuel mess up an 02 sensor. We have a new sunoco gas station the is selling leaded racing gas 110 octane. I saw a guy putting some in his newer mustang, it just got me thinking.

bax

 

[broncnaz]

I'm pretty sure it will mess them up. Might take a while and worst that happens is the system runs closed loop I believe or open loop cant remeber which when the O2 goes bad but it causes it to run richer. I think it will also cause problems with the cats. The guy you saw is probably racing and doesnt run cats and has the $$ to change the O2 sensors every so often.

 

[wildbill]

The lead will plug up the cat's and then you go slow. Bill %) ;D

 

[bax]

Like broncaz said it may not of had the cats on it. It did sound good

 

[bmc69]

My understanding of that is that it's only about the cats...the leaded fuel kills the ability of the cats to catylize. I run leaded racing gas in my rig every chance I can get my hands on some..or lots of 'off road only' octane booster otherwise, and I'm running the same O2 sensor you are, Roger.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Lead will contiminate the O2 sensor. but it isn't a little will kill it, it take a bit over time to do it. A tank here or there won't do it. Several tanks will. And it will loose accuracy, not just die all together.

As for teh cats, the lead blockst the catalist reaction. At that point they don't do anything.

Now are you sure that the pump is actually pumping out leaded fuel? I have noticed that a lot of the race gas is now unleaded. If it has lead in it there is a distenct sweet smell to it. Even the 100LL Av gas will vary its lead content. I have had some tanks that were really leaded and others that had little to it. I wish I could find that source of 80 octane mogas locally again. That stuff was nice and volitile. Wakes up old low compression engines, like the one in my boat.

 

[bax]

Yes I am sure it was leaded gas. Good to know I can run a little too.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

I agree O2 sensor will be fine a little wont hurt but the cats will go south.