'85 duke auto.

I got a code 13 a few days ago - no other symptoms, seems to be running fine. The check engine light is being thrown at me constantly at ~40mph with hard acceleration. No other codes. I have a new O2 sensor waiting for me about 200 miles away but need the car for the weekend. Can I drive these few days without a working O2 sensor or can it cause damage?

Thanks.

From Mr. Google :
The main problem with a faulty O2 sensor is that your car's ECU cannot monitor whether the engine is receiveing the correct amount of fuel.

The reason that the warning light comes on for this fault is because it is part of the emissions control system - generally faults that cause excessive pollution cause this light to come on - faults which don't cause this, allow the light to stay off.

You may notice poor fuel consumption, and maybe worsened performance. However, if you don't get it fixed relatively soon you do run the risk of damaging the catalytic converter because of excessive unburned fuel in the exhaust. O2 sensors are much cheaper than catalytsts.

I think that quote really means the "downstream" o2 sensor which the Fieros don't have and what usually sets a check engine light in newer cars. My cat is due anyway and a new one is already waiting for replacement so I guess if we get that out of the way is there any more bad things that could happen?

If the O2 is bad then can cause problems and damage.
Iffy O2 or wiring for it can have same.

bad/iffy O2 then ECM runs Open Loop operation means engine is likely to run rich and that can cause the cat to overheat and kill it and worse cause a fire.

DTC 13 is often not the sensor but wiring. One wire to the sensor and 1 tan "ground" wire to the block.
Clean/fix all ground in the engine bay. Coat ends w/ silicon/brake grease.

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Mr. Google's comments would be equally applicable to the upstream (or only) oxygen sensor.

In your place, I would drive the car with the code, as long as it drives OK without sputtering or other driveability symptoms.

That said, if something goes wrong, I'm not willing to back my statement by offering you a warranty for a a replacement engine, so it may be wise to ignore my recommendation.

quote Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Mr. Google's comments would be equally applicable to the upstream (or only) oxygen sensor. In your place, I would drive the car with the code, as long as it drives OK without sputtering or other driveability symptoms. That said, if something goes wrong, I'm not willing to back my statement by offering you a warranty for a a replacement engine, so it may be wise to ignore my recommendation.

I just need to drive it a few hundred miles, I have a new o2 sensor and a new cat waiting. I'll think about winging it or let the car sit. Thanks for the input, guys.

If you unplug the O2 sensor, the engine will revert to "open loop" (i.e. pre-programmed) fuel values.
If the engine is in otherwise good condition, it should run decently, and not hurt anything.
The light will likely come on as soon as the engine is warmed up, and stay on while it's running.

As pointed without an O2 sensor the ECM reverts to a mode that depends on set default values in the program for a cold engine. Those values are fixed and do not allow adjustments for conditions of engine operation. The engine will run but on the rich side as it is operating in a safe default mode with an Air/Fuel value that must be used for all operating conditions. Your mileage will plummet. I would replace that sensor ASAP.

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Replaced the sensor. The code no longer seems to appear. My MPG didn't plummet really, maybe 2 MPG worse than normal on this route. No real harm done I guess.