An engine misfire typically takes place when the engine misses a step during its combustion process. When an engine misfires, you may find your car jerking or riding roughly. If your engine misfires regularly, you may need to head to a qualified car service to get the problem fixed. Knowing the probable faults behind an engine misfire in your car will enable you to take appropriate action.
Faulty Cylinder
One of the major causes behind an engine misfire is a faulty cylinder. Every car has a few cylinders running to power the engine by burning the air and fuel mixture. An engine misfire can typically occur when one of these cylinders wears out or fails completely because the air and fuel mixture remains unburnt. A misfire can also be caused by a faulty cylinder head or head gasket, which is the result of a defective combustion process. Failing cylinders are best addressed by a qualified car service to optimise your vehicle's performance once again.
Faulty Spark Plug
A spark plug sits at the top of the cylinder where fuel and air are compressed during the combustion process. Over time, this spark plug wears out because the spark burns the metal from the plug. The sharp edges are rounded up and the gap between the electrodes is increased, which requires additional voltage. An engine misfire occurs when the voltage is not strong enough to generate a spark. A misfire can also be caused if the spark plug wires are damaged or corroded. You will need to check your spark plug wires for any sign of damage. A misfire associated with a spark plug is typically known as an ignition misfire.
Faulty Fuel Injection System
A fuel injector disperses fuel into the engine, which results in your car running. If the fuel injector is damaged or dirty, then it could lead to an engine misfire. A fuel injector typically gets damaged because of a flawed fuel and air mixture, which results in incomplete combustion. When this happens, your cylinder may also miss a stroke. Fuel injectors usually get dirty because of fuel debris deposits over time. For your car to run smoothly, your fuel injector must be cleaned regularly. A qualified car service may use specialised injector cleaning products to clean them thoroughly.
An engine misfire may lead to a reduction in your engine and fuel efficiency, while emitting high levels of hydrocarbons. If you notice an engine misfire, be sure to head to a qualified car service immediately to get your problem fixed.
