An engine misfire is a problem that causes the engine to run rough, stumble, or hesitate.
Misfires can cause a loss of power and reduced fuel economy.
They can also damage the engine over time.
If you experience an engine misfire, have your car serviced as soon as possible.
The cost of repairs will vary depending on the cause of the misfire.
How Serious is an Engine Misfire Issue?
Engine misfires are very serious.
While the cause of the misfire may be easily addressed, it does not mean that the issue should not be taken seriously.
If your car is misfiring, it is important to get it looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Estimated Cost to Repair a Misfire
Depending on the cause of the misfire, repairing an engine misfire can cost you anywhere between $100 to $1,000.
Replacing spark plugs tend to be the least expensive fix for a misfiring car.
On the flip side, cleaning up carbon build up or replacing the fuel injector tend to be the most expensive fixes for misfiring engines.
What Causes an Engine to Misfire?
There are a number of things that can cause an engine to misfire. The most common causes are:
- Dirty or clogged fuel injectors.
- A vacuum leak.
- Bad spark plugs.
- Incorrect timing.
- Low compression.
- Faulty fuel pump.
1. Fuel injectors
A dirty or clogged fuel injector can cause engine misfires.
The injector may not deliver enough fuel to the engine, which can cause the engine to misfire.
2. Vacuum Leak
A vacuum leak is a leakage of air into or out of a sealed system.
A vacuum leak can be due to a hole in the engine’s air intake manifold, broken engine seals, or a bad O-ring.
When engine vacuum decreases, the engine’s ability to suck in fuel also decreases.
This can cause the engine to misfire and run poorly.
3. Spark Plugs
Bad spark plugs are one of the most common causes of engine misfires.
When the spark plugs are dirty or worn, they can’t create a spark that’s powerful enough to ignite the fuel and air in the engine.
This can cause the engine to misfire and run poorly.
4. Engine Timing
Incorrect timing is when the engine’s valves open and close at the wrong time.
This can cause the air/fuel mixture to be off, which will lead to engine misfires.
5. Low Compression
Low compression is when the engine isn’t able to create enough power to turn the pistons.
This can be caused by a number of things such as worn rings, valves, or cylinders.
When the engine can’t create enough power, it will start to misfire.
6. Faulty Fuel Pump
A faulty fuel pump can cause engine misfires by not providing enough fuel to the engine.
This can cause the engine to run lean and misfire.
Symptoms of a Misfire Problem
Symptoms of engine misfire can include:
- Engine hesitation.
- Engine stalling.
- Engine running rough.
- Reduced fuel economy.
1. Engine Hesitation
Engine hesitation is a common symptom of engine misfires.
When an engine misfires, it can cause the engine to hesitate or stumble.
This is because the engine isn’t getting the proper amount of fuel and air, which can cause the engine to run rough.
2. Stalling
Engine stalling is another common symptom of engine misfires.
When an engine misfires, it can cause the engine to stall.
3. Engine Running Rough
When an engine misfires, it can cause the engine to run roughly.
This can be dangerous, as it can lead to decreased performance and even engine failure.
4. Reduced Fuel Economy
Engine misfires can also cause a reduction in fuel economy.
This can lead to an increase in your fuel costs and a decrease in the overall life of your engine.
If you experience any of these symptoms, have your car serviced right away.
Is it OK to drive your car if the engine misfires?
You should not drive your car after it misfires until you have had it looked at.
The last thing you want to do is be driving down the highway and have your car misfire, putting you in a very dangerous situation.
Not to mention, ignoring a misfiring engine could result in further damage that will make the total cost of repairs skyrocket. Replacing the engine can be very expensive.