The problem is most likely one of the O2 sensors in the car. If you take the car to a dealer or a shop they can hook the car up to diagnostic equipment that will be able to tell exactly which sensor has gone bad by measuring the voltage going to each sensor. This will cost some money, but It may be cheaper than just guessing and replacing all of the sensors and hoping you fixed it.

If you decide to replace the O2 sensor yourself, and are correct in replacing the one that was bad, your check engine light will shut off automatically and the computer will clear the codes itself after the PCM is able to successfully run and complete the emissions tests that caused the code to be thrown in the first place. This may take a day or two depending on how much driving you are going to do. In order for the car to run the emissions tests, certain criteria have to be met first i.e. car started and shut down a certain number of times, engine maintain a certain RPM for a designated amount of time.

Worst case scenario is that the catalytic converter is bad. In most cases these devices will outlast the car, but they do fail occasionally. GM vehicles especially have a bad rep for this happening. I own a 2001 Trans am and just went through this process and needed a new cat. Due to the high volume of incidents with these cars, GM issued a bulletin extending the warranty of this part. $700 part and I got it for free under warranty.

Finally, to finish out your question. If you don't have the time to get this looked at right away there is no harm that will be done to your car during your trip. You may see slightly decreased gas mileage, but aside from that your car is basically just "polluting" a little more than usual.

Hope this helps!

Asker's Rating:

Permalink | Report