What is Engine Misfiring?

Every motorist has experienced a misfire at some point. It usually shows itself in the form of stutter, shudder type feeling, slower acceleration and loss of power. An idling car might vibrate a little more than usual in the event of a misfire. What is engine misfiring - and how does it affect your car?

What Is Engine Misfiring?

Engine misfires happen when one of the cylinders does not produce sufficient spark or compression and lack of fuel. It could involve more than one cylinder. It can be caused by a faulty spark plug, fuel injector, ignition coil and or worn cylinder.

The Effects On Your Car

The most common and direct effect of a misfire is that your car’s fuel economy will suffer. A misfire could also jeopardize your safety on the road - easily leading to an accident when your vehicle does not have the power to overtake or avoid a traffic hazard. Aside from these more immediate threats, misfiring cylinders can also lead to significant engine damage. Misfires don’t simply go away - they need to be addressed immediately. Even if they don’t get worse, they certainly won’t get any better unless you take the car to a mechanic. The longer you ignore the problem and drive the vehicle in spite of the misfire, the more likely it is that your engine will suffer serious damage. A misfire on its own does not usually signal a serious mechanical problem. Very often, it is just a spark plug, ignition coil or a fuel injector that needs to be replaced. However, if you ignore the problem, more cylinders could start to malfunction, possibly to the point that the engine stops working entirely. Rather than getting into that predicament, it is best to take your car to a mechanic and have the problem resolved as soon as possible. 

If you experience an engine misfire, visit a professional engine repair shop as soon as possible. If you are a resident of Marietta, GA, come to Professional Automotive Repair Marietta on Lower Roswell Road and let us get your car running smoothly again.