My friends 96 2.2 auto cav is running sounding like a diesel at idle, but smoothes out at higher rpm's. I know I can't likely get rid of the notorious 2.2 ohv lifter tick sound, but would like to make it run a bit better. The exhaust has a muffled sound at idle. Almost like an old 2.8 Z24 burble exhaust noise. I heard somewhere that disconnecting the rearward 02 sensor by the cat may make it run better. It threw a code on this 02 or the cat at a previous inspection. Would disconnecting this 02 have disastrous effects? I know replacing it and the cat and code reading is the way to go, but this is a complete beater at this point, she just wants to get 4 more months out of it. The erratic idle is driving her nuts. Car has no loss of power or bogging issues, and no rotten egg smell. The engine and exhaust just shake and rattle at idle, and it cold starts hard at times.
It won't hurt the engine at all if you disconnect the rear o2 sensor. All that the rear o2 sensor does is sniff the exhaust after the cat to make sure the cat is working. You will get a CEL however, so your mileage will not be as great...but it is fine to remove/disconnect it.
Disconnecting the rear O2 sensor will not hurt nor help the running of the car.
FU Tuning
