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Lambda sensors
Hi all
I'm new to this forum and wonder whether anyone can give me some advice about a recurrent problem I am having in relation to lambda sensors (possibly the MAF sensor or exhaust system too?)
I have a 986 Boxster S, first registered 2002, it's done 60,000 miles, I have owned the car for over 2 years and done about 18,000 miles.
The problem is that every few months, the emission control warning light comes on on the dashboard - this has happened about 5 times in 18 months - and every time, the Durametrics diagnostic software always comes up with the same code: P2096 "Oxygen sensor - ageing, bank 1." When the light comes on, it always happens not long into a journey (within the first 10 miles or so).
In addition to the Durametrics software, my mechanic also used a handheld device that measured various readouts when I revved the engine, and using this we came to the conclusion that it was the bank 1 (right hand side) rear sensor (after the catalytic converter) that was the problem.
However, wanting to knock the problem on the head, I have had all 4 sensors replaced.
However, the light has since come on again and the same fault code comes up: P2096 "Oxygen sensor, ageing, bank 1".
My mechanic says that I could have one of three problems:
1) one of the new lambda sensors is faulty (I have no idea how this could be checked)
2) the problem is not the lambdas but is in fact (despite the fault code reading) the MAF sensor
3) there is a very small leak somewhere in the engine or exhaust system that is causing this intermittent fault message to come up
There has been no noticeable change in the performance of the car throughout this whole issue - it still idles fine, I get about 300 miles from a tank of fuel, it still seems to sound good, so I don't know where to go next.
Can anyone out there tell me:
1) is this a common problem with 986s
2) if there is no change in the performance of the car, then is this recurrent issue something that one should simply accept is a fact of 986 ownership, or does it suggest a bigger problem that does need to be properly diagnosed?
3) if the problem is indeed the MAF and not the lambdas, then to what extent is it surprising that the fault code read out has always said "oxygen sensor - ageing, bank 1" and not mentioned anything about the MAF sensor?
..and of course if anyone has any other useful info on this, I'd be grateful.
Thank you.
TB
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