
If you car’s engine is misfiring, you need to do three things: Find the cause of the problem, buy auto parts online, and use the services of a mechanic.
Engines that happen to be misfiring has something seriously going wrong with them. Before you go to buy auto parts online, you should know the reasons behind engine misfiring. Follow us!
1. Faulty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are those engine components that hold the responsibility of igniting the air-fuel mixture leading to combustion. Spark plugs can go bad for a variety of reasons, amongst them, which are carbon build up, oil leaking into the combustion chamber and even a clogged air filter.
In addition to that, if there happens to be improper plug gap or overheating, that could wear down the plugs quite easily as well. Bottom line, if you experience an engine that is misfiring, you should check the spark plugs, as they could be a major reason behind it.
2. Cracked Distributor Cap
Controlling the spark timing is the responsibility of the distributor. If the distributor is working properly, it will send the spark to each plug at the perfect time when the piston is ready. Therefore, incase if a distributor cap happens to be cracked, it will not be able to send a signal to one or more spark plugs, leading to engine misfiring.
3. Lean Fuel/Air Mixture
The air-fuel mixture in vehicles is a work of art. It is basically a balance that should not be disturbed. If it gets disturbed, it will either lead to overly air-fuel or fuel-air mixture. Both cases, in such a case is not good. If the fuel injectors or the fuel pump is clogged, then sufficient fuel will not be able to enter the engine, causing a misfire.
4. Lack of Compression
Cylinders are those components that hold compression or where compression takes place. If it lacks that, the spark produced by the spark plugs will not be able to ignite the air-fuel mixture. It normally occurs when there is a blown head gasket or exhaust valves that are leaking.
5. Low Pressure
Low pressure can take place due to multiple reasons. It could be due to a faulty regulator, clogged fuel filter or a malfunctioning fuel pump. The thing with low fuel pressure is that, it will result in a lean mixture that will cause misfires in all cylinders. Therefore, if your car happens to show trouble codes for misfires, you will want to get it checked.
6. Injector Problem
Even though injector problems are not common nowadays, unless there is a bad quality fuel put in the car, they are the least likely to pose any problems. However, if in case they become faulty, they are pretty hard to diagnose without testing their flow. Therefore, if your engine is misfiring, you may want to look at other possible causes before jumping to the final conclusion of injector problem.
Conclusion
Engine misfires are not safe to drive with, at all, especially in the case of cars that have catalytic converters. The reason being that engine misfires as already mentioned result in lean fuel mixtures. The unburnt fuel is going to end up in the catalytic converter and explode. Therefore, you definitely do not want to take any chances if any such situation pops up. So, find the cause, buy auto parts online, and get the help of a mechanic.
