Oxygen Sensor Trouble?

[Jesse Blom]

Good Morning All,

This is my second post ever so bear with me. I have a 2000 LX470 with 231,450 miles which I have owned for about a year. The vehicle doesn't reflect the mileage either mechanically or aesthetically, and has run flawlessly until the other day. My wife was running errands and it started sputtering and hesitating and barely running all at once and just barely made it home.(I was at work of course!) When I got home I went out and started it and it was doing the very same thing as mentioned above. I also noticed a very strong exhaust smell as if it was running too rich and struggling to operate. I haven't taken it to the auto parts store to be coded yet because I honestly don't know if I will make it there and back. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

 

[TeCKis300]

Get the codes read as any diagnoses will be a stab in the dark. OBD-II readers are readily available everywhere. You can get cheap bluetooth ones on Amazon all day long that work with your phone too.

That said, I would doubt it's the O2 sensors. They degrade over time, but don't typically fail dramatically in a day to cause these symptoms. The ECU will catch the degradation with a CEL well before they bite the dust. And usually, a failed O2, won't result in such bad sputtering.

What's more likely, especially at that mileage, is a failed vacuum hose. Or some other leak in the vacuum system. Likely a leak post MAF.

 

[KillerBox]

Jesse did you ever find your problem? My 2001 LX is doing close to the same.

 

[Cannon88]

Sounds like a coil pack. Simple change. If it was O2 sensor, easy change as well.