At some time while discussing the loss of performance from a car, you may have heard someone use the term misfire or engine misfire to be more specific.
But what exactly does an engine misfire mean? What’s involved in a misfire? Is it something to be concerned about if it happens with your car? This guide is about what you need to know about engine misfires.
What is an engine misfire?
In a conventional petrol or diesel engine, multiple cylinders are used to ignite fuel introduced within it and the hot gases produced from this combustion ultimately help drive the car the engine is in.
A misfire is what happens when one or more of the cylinders inside an engine fail to fire correctly. The cause is an interruption of the air-to-fuel ratio inside the combustion chamber of the affected cylinders.
When it occurs, a misfire results in a loss of power, reduced fuel efficiency and an increase in CO2 emissions output.
Drivers will likely hear a distinct bang noise originating from their car’s engine when a misfire occurs. If a severe engine misfire occurs, then the driver could feel a jerking action in their car while driving. Engine misfires can occur either intermittently or constantly.
What causes an engine misfire?
It is strongly recommended you get your car checked at a garage if you notice your car’s engine misfiring (whether it’s intermittent or constant). That’s because the issue is usually linked to a problem related to fuel, ignition or at least one of the engine’s mechanical parts.
Ultimately, the problem may be a problem with your car’s fuel-delivery system, or it could be fault with certain engine parts like the spark plugs, ignition coils or plug wires. Professional mechanics at a garage should be able to diagnose which parts of the car are causing the engine to misfire.
The best way to avoid an engine misfire from afflicting your car is to follow the maintenance schedule laid out in the owner’s manual for your vehicle.
If engine misfires are occurring with your car, then the cost to replace the part or multiple parts causing the issue can vary wildly, it could be less than a hundred pounds or cost thousands depending on the exact parts which are faulty. That makes it really important to get your car’s engine checked properly if you notice misfires occurring, particularly if they are frequent.
