The cylinders in your engine are critical for producing power. Combustion takes place inside the cylinders as fuel burns. If a problem develops, cylinders can misfire. This process is also sometimes called an engine misfire. It’s an issue that you should take very seriously and not ignore if it happens to you. Our professional mechanics here at Huffines CJDR Lewisville have considerable experience in dealing with engine problems and cylinder misfires in particular. So we’ve put together a guide to inform you how to handle them.
Understanding Cylinder Misfires
If your engine is working properly, fuel is transferred to it by the fuel injector, then the spark plugs cause it to combust in the cylinders. Depending on the vehicle you’re driving, you could have anywhere from two to 12 cylinders in your engine. Most passenger vehicles have between four and eight cylinders in their engines.
When a cylinder misfires, it fails to produce power through combustion. This failure may be linked to various issues, which a mechanic will diagnose so they can decide on the best repair approach. However, you don’t need to be a mechanic to tell if your Dodge or Jeep has experienced a cylinder misfire. You may hear a loud pop coming from the engine or exhaust when the misfire takes place. Alternatively, you may notice that the engine sounds rough when you’re driving.
You may also sense that your engine loses power from time to time. When a cylinder misfire occurs, your engine will lose a proportion of power in line with the number of cylinders you have. For example, if your car has a four-cylinder engine and one experiences a misfire, your engine’s power will drop by 25%.
Consequences of Ignoring Cylinder Misfires
If you don’t respond to a cylinder misfire, you’ll be taking a serious risk with your vehicle. Whatever the cause of the misfire may be, the problem is likely to get worse and could result in more damage to your engine. The unpredictable loss of power from your engine will make it harder for you to remain in control of your vehicle and drive safely.
In a worst-case scenario, the misfires could cause your engine to fail and leave you stranded at the side of the road. That’s why it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with a trusted mechanic as soon as you experience an engine misfire.
Diagnostic Process for Cylinder Misfires
The process for diagnosing cylinder misfire causes can be complex since there are so many working parts that could malfunction. Our mechanics will typically start by inspecting your engine. If the spark plugs have black marks on them, are wet, or are just old, they could be to blame and will need replacing. If the spark plugs can’t ignite the fuel, a misfire will occur.
The fuel injector could be clogged with dirt or debris from worn parts. In this case, not enough fuel reaches the cylinder to produce a successful combustion. It may be possible to clear the injector.
If one of these possible cylinder misfire causes turns out not to be the culprit, we’ll need to perform a more thorough inspection of the cylinder. It may be the case that a gasket has blown, which we can determine by performing a pressure test on the cylinder. Replacing a gasket is a major job that can prove expensive. A final possibility is an issue with the coil.
Once we’ve explored all of the possibilities and identified where the problem lies, we can fix the issue and help you prevent future misfires in your truck or crossover. We offer plenty of service specials and coupons to cover some of the repair costs.
Addressing Cylinder Misfires
If you’re lucky, dealing with your cylinder misfire could be as simple as replacing the spark plugs. As long as you respond promptly to a cylinder misfire, new spark plugs could do the trick. Another less extensive repair may be clearing the fuel injector, but this won’t be the case if components need replacing.
The job will be more challenging and require more time if a gasket or the coil needs replacing. These tasks are best performed by a highly qualified mechanic due to their complexity. They have the benefit of working with cutting-edge technology and high-quality OEM parts to complete the task.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
The best way to reduce the risk of your vehicle having a cylinder misfire is to stick to your routine maintenance schedule. Many of the cylinder misfire causes we’ve outlined above are easily avoidable by performing the recommended maintenance tasks at the right time. For example, replacing your spark plugs according to the maintenance schedule substantially reduces the danger that they’ll fail. Regularly changing your engine oil reduces the wear and tear on all its components.
Each maintenance appointment at Huffines CJDR also includes a multi-point inspection by an auto technician. These inspections are critical since the maintenance technician could identify a potential problem and propose a solution before the issue gets serious. For instance, they might identify a poor fuel connection or another engine issue that can be remedied before it results in a cylinder misfire.
Generally, repairs carried out as part of a preventative maintenance routine are cheaper than those you have to conduct after a serious problem has developed. One reason for this is that more extensive damage to other components can occur as a result of undiagnosed issues, including a cylinder misfire.
Get Your Engine Serviced at Huffines CJDR Lewisville
We hope that you now understand the importance of taking cylinder misfires seriously and what you should do to avoid them. If you’ve experienced this problem or you want to schedule a maintenance appointment, we’re here to help. You can stop by our Lewisville service center or make an online reservation to fit into your busy schedule. Our professional technicians will perform all tasks to a high standard so you can get back on the road as soon as possible.