Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #6966
From: Russell Duffy <13brv3@bellsouth.net>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Re: Rusty's O2 / EM2 problems.
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 20:55:01 -0600
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
        Considering that my O2 sensor exhibits similar behavior as yours and I also measure downstream EGT temps (after turbo) right beside the O2 sensor and only see temps in the 700F range, I can't help but think that maybe the low temps are possibly the cause of the problem.  
 
My EGT probes are about 10 inches from the port, and the O2 sensor is about 40 inches farther downstream.  I'm confident that I can get the temps to 800F at the O2 sensor, but I may not have the day I installed the sensor.  I was seeing temps in the 1000 to 1100 range at low rpms, but the other day, when tied down, I was reaching 1600's at full throttle.  That was with the old sensor though.  I'll probably be doing some more running tomorrow, so we'll see what I get.  I also have the old mixture gauge installed as well as the EM-2.  
 
 
Here is a site that explains O2 sensors-  http://www.ngkspark.com.au/tech_info_oxygen_sensors_index.htm
 
Here is an excerpt from that site:
 
How To Test Oxygen Sensors?

Using an appropriate connecting device, connect the sensor output to your oscilloscope; do not disconnect the sensor from the ECU. Run the engine at approximately 2000 rpm. A properly functioning oxygen sensor will show a rapidly fluctuating output voltage between approximately 0.1 and 1.0 volts. The time taken for the voltage to change from 0.1 V to 1.0 V (referred to as the lean to rich response time) should be about 300 milliseconds. A similar time should be measured when the voltage changes from 1.0 V to 0.1 V (rich to lean response time).

If the sensor output is constant or the response time is too slow the sensor should be changed.
 
 
Can anyone explain why the voltage is supposed to cycle between .1V and 1.0V ?  Tracy said the EM-2 doesn't do any averaging, but just captures the voltage in a snapshot when it's time to measure that channel.  If that was the case, it would seem that a "properly operating" sensor would cause the EM-2 to be erratic. 
 
Hopefully, tomorrow's testing will reveal some more useful info. 
 
Rusty (looking to fly again this weekend)
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