Lambda & Lead

[robert dingli]

Hi Steve et al.

> This may be an arguable point, so lets just say that I 'want' to run
> leaded fuel and I would 'like' a lambda sensor.
> Does anybody have any experiences with cars with EFI and no cat from the
> factory ?

I haven't done any conclusive tests, but I have been using a non-heated
single wire lambda sensor on my 4.2 Jaguar for over a year.  It has had
absolutely no problems with the leaded fuel available here in Australia
(which I believe is relativley high in Pb concentration).

The signal is read by my ECU and used for display purposes only.  There
is no point in running stoiciometric for my application and thus I only
uses it as a rich/lean guide while tuning.

> One (self appointed) 'expert' has told me that heated sensors show no
> appreciable degradation.

I once met a SEO (self appointed expert) who told me that he had bought 
a special lead tolerant lambda sensor.  I didn't think this was truly
possible given the chemistry of the sensors.  My theory is to choose a 
second hand sensor which is cheap and easy to get and then to replace
it if there are any problems.  So far, there haven't been any.  :-)

The sensor I use started off life on a Toyota 3SG.

regards

Robert

-- 
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             Robert Dingli           r.dingli at ee.mu.oz.au

Power and Control Systems                 Thermodynamics Research Lab
Electrical Engineering                    Mechanical Engineering
   (+613) 344 7966                           (+613) 344 6728
  University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
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