An engine misfire occurs when your car’s cylinders are not firing simultaneously, causing your car to jerk or sputter. There are many reasons why an engine might misfire, from dirty fuel injectors to bad spark plugs, so you’ll want to have a mechanic diagnose the issue before it gets worse. In this article, you’ll learn what causes engine misfires and how they are fixed.
Does the Engine Misfire Happen on Idle, Acceleration, or Both?
If your car’s engine only misfires at low RPMs or idle, the culprit is usually an issue with spark plugs, ignition coils, or some other ignition system component. However, if your car’s engine only misfires during acceleration but not at low RPMs, this could indicate a few other issues, such as poor fuel quality, dirty fuel injectors, or a failing fuel pump.
Worn Spark Plugs
The most common cause of engine misfiring is worn spark plugs. Over time, spark plugs can become fouled or damaged, causing them to lose their ability to create a spark. When this happens, the engine can misfire, resulting in a loss of power and efficiency. If you suspect your spark plugs may cause engine misfiring, have them checked by a qualified mechanic.
Vacuum Leak
A vacuum leak is another common cause of engine misfiring. If there’s a hole in the intake manifold, unmetered air will enter the engine and throw off the air-fuel mixture. This can cause the engine to run lean, which can cause all sorts of problems, including decreased fuel economy, increased emissions, and drivability issues.
Failing Ignition Coils
Another common cause of engine misfiring is failing ignition coils. Ignition coils are responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders. Over time, they can wear out and cause the engine to misfire. Like spark plugs, ignition coils will wear out over time and need to be replaced.
Carbon Tracking
Finally, another common cause of engine misfiring is carbon tracking. This happens when the electrical current from the spark plug travels around the spark plug rather than going through the gap to the cylinder head. This can be caused by a build-up of carbon on the spark plug or a damaged spark plug.
The good news is the causes of a misfiring car are usually relatively simple to fix. However, ignoring a misfiring car will eventually lead to engine damage. So see your trusted mechanic to get your car’s engine misfire diagnosed and fixed.
