Why is my car running on 3 cylinders if its the spark plugs or the coil packs, why is it fine for about 30 mins? or is it to do with the engine temperature or something? When your engine keeps running after shutting it off, you'll hear it firing or coughing. When i use my information button and watch my instant fuel mileage. Nov 8, 2022 · My car keeps misfiring, what can I do? If your car is misfiring while driving and goes into limp mode, you will find that the car is still driveable but will feel “impossible” to handle. Jun 28, 2007 · When I first did my swap, I lengthened the O2 sensor wires and accidentally spliced a braid of shielding to the sense line, which essentialy grounded it out and made the car run open loop as if the O2 sensor was unplugged. Then I swapped #1 and #2 spark plugs and thats didnt fix My car has started running rough all of a sudden. From the sound of it, it seems like only 3. What can cause this? Aug 14, 2011 · So I was driving to work the other day and I pulled up to a red light. I also tried to connect the disconnected injector plug into the old injector while engine running on 3 cylinders. :thumbup: My 1999 528i had the check engine light on, the codes were for spark plug misfire, fuel filter, airmass meter fuel trim and pre cat 02 sensors. More information would be great in this case. All other spark plugs are fine. Dec 30, 2015 · Driving with a misfiring cylinder is not safe. My car started to run crazy as I went onto the highway. It could be because of it sticking or because the electromagnet is faulty. Running fine on highway and traffic slowed with volume. Why Is My Six-Cylinder Engine Running on Only Three Cylinders Despite Spark and Fuel? Mechanic's Assistant chat Customer: This is a six-cylinder engine, but it is only operating on three cylinders. I did spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter and new MAF. With this in mind, what would happen if you had a way of disconnecting the spark plugs and fuel supply to the last 3 cylinders? 🔴 Why Does My Car Run on 2 Cylinders? In this short but informative video, we'll unravel the mysteries behind this common problem and give you the keys to Jun 24, 2016 · Hi All, My 2012 Silverado has been having some issues with the AFM feature. So (probably in ignorance) I am thinking lean misfire on those two cylinders. While staying at the same speed it will shift back into V8, even if I'm on cruise. My car is misfing on cylinder 3 I put new plugs and coil packs In it did the compression test everything all cylinders were the same compression, some Oct 22, 2024 · The P0303 code indicates a misfire specifically in cylinder number three. Feb 23, 2003 · Re: BIG problemrunning on 3 cylinders (joe3180) Post by karmakaze » Tue May 16, 2006 7:19 pm Apr 4, 2022 · If you have owned a car for any period of time, you have probably heard of the dreaded engine misfire. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other Nov 21, 2023 · On a car with multiple cylinders, the distributor will have a wire coming in from the ignition coil that supplies the spark energy. 0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2. This can lead to rough idling, reduced power, poor fuel efficiency, and increased emissions. Questions: 1. Replaced plug wires, both ignition coils, crank sensor, mass air flow sensor and all four fuel injectors. So I am running on 3 cylinders. Apr 12, 2012 · Only Firing On 3 Cylinders? - posted in Problems, Questions and Technical: Right drove back from the gym yesterday and car is running like a bag of spanners, sounds like just running on 3 cylinders. Pulling 3 & 4 made the engine stutter as expected. You may also feel intermittent jerking, bucking, or stumbling from the engine. Aug 31, 2022 · Symptoms of a dead cylinder include a loss of power, rough running, or bad idle. Sep 15, 2023 · Find out why your car is struggling to go uphill. The code P0300 stands for random misfire. This is the reason Barry Grant introduced his new four shooter carb. Had the engine compression tested and the front piston is tested at 200lbs, the second is 400lbs. Can you drive a car with a dead cylinder? It is not advisable to drive a car with a dead cylinder. i checked each cylinder and #1 isnt fireing. And the reason dyno cells have thermocouples on every tube of the exhaust header. What could be causing that? Feb 20, 2025 · Lucky for you, this isn’t a serious issue and can be quickly solved! Read on to find out the top 4 reasons why your car starts rough then smooths out. Apr 26, 2024 · Discover common causes of your engine misfire and learn how to diagnose and fix the real problem. i got it started and it is only running on 3 cylinders. What Causes a P0302 Code? P0302 typically stems from ignition system or fuel delivery problems that prevent cylinder 2 from firing properly. I'm OCD so the rough running bothers me, but I am not sure it affected the car, so in the end it really does not matter. Sep 14, 2020 · Is it bad to run a car on 3 cylinders? The problem with running on only 3 cylinders isn’t the unbalanced load on the crank. 0 ohv engine, outside of just bad engine performance what else can i be looking at as the engine slowly dies. Get step-by-step instructions to diagnose and repair engine misfires. Engine still runs Any ideas? Piston seals or This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. Checked the valve clearance at it is fine Checked Jan 24, 2024 · Can a 6 cylinder car run on 4 cylinders? Most engines with cylinder deactivation turn off half of them at a time, such as an eight-cylinder that switches to four cylinders. I know though that cyl. If you diagnose your car and get all cylinder misfiring or random misfiring codes, you likely have fuel pump issues. Two days ago I started . Oct 26, 2014 · Why is my car running on 3 cylinders -I have changed the plugs , and seen there is no spark going to 1 off the plugs ;) could this be a coil pack Apr 28, 2022 · Why would a motor run on only 3 of 4 cylinders? A motor could run on even one cylinder but the cylinders that are not misfiring will work twice as hard and you could do more damage, for example if your spark plugs got really bad, your ignition coils, wires, or fuel injectors could go bad also. If you don’t see any visible signs of a leak, the issue may be something else entirely. All the injectors are functioning and all the spark plugs are igniting, yet the engine is only responding on three cylinders. Over the last couple of weeks I noticed the occasional miss and within a couple of seconds back to normal. Get your car running smoothly again with our expert vetted tips. Jan 26, 2013 · Running on 3 cylinders. To answer your question; the reason one tube is hotter than another is because of a difference in fuel distribution between the cylinders. Oct 23, 2013 · I inspected all the spark plugs, cylinder 2 spark plug was black, indicating that the car is running rich on cylinder 2, the other spark plugs looked fine. When you have a misfire, the engine will run off balance, creating a powerful vibration through the body of the car, and the amount of power the engine can produce will drop significantly. This Aug 24, 2008 · Hi,my Camry 99 w/ 180k is running on 3 cylinders, my mechanic will be back in town in 3 days, can i drive it about 20 miles per day for 2 days on only 3 cylinders, i found the offending cylinder and the injector connector on the back of the engine was oily dont know why. com Subaru forum. The engine sounds like it is running on only three cylinders. Today’s car engines are complex, and a problem with any of the systems in your engine can potentially cause a misfire. While I was sitting there I noticed the car started to vibrate harshly and my revs dropped down to about 300rpm. The volume delivered in the cylinders can only be adequate if the pressure is high. May 28, 2007 · Thank you for taking the time to reading my problem. I also put some carb cleaner in the gas and still no change after two weeks. the carbs have been cleaned, and the engineer said that the compression on all 4 was good, and was sparking on all 4 cylinders ,but the bottom two cylinders dont run, so it must be fuel related ??? Mar 19, 2007 · Re: Running on 3 cylinders: why?? (vwdaun) A quick check to see if one or more of the plugs or ignition wires is bad, is to have the car running and one at a time remove a wire and see if it makes a difference. The rpm goes all the way down before it increases and goes all the way up. Dec 21, 2017 · Fix Engine Misfire: Common Causes and Solutions Engine Misfire: Causes and Fixes You Need to Know An engine misfire can be frustrating and worrisome for any vehicle owner. I tried swapping the coils from cylinders 1-3 to 4-6, but there was no change. If I had a 4 cylinder engine and disconnected 2 of the ignition coils and 2 of the fuel injectors would there be any harm in driving like that, other than the car running and sounding bad would it cause long term damage? Apr 20, 2023 · One more common reason why your engine has no compression in some or all cylinders is the failed head gasket. Nov 19, 2024 · Car running on one cylinder? It happens When a car isn't running on one of its cylinders, it’s a situation that can occur occasionally. ; It is actually firing on all 4 cylinders as Jan 14, 2020 · What Is a Misfire? An engine misfire is when one or more engine cylinders fail to properly combust the air-fuel mixture, causing a loss of power and stumbling sensation from the engine. What could be causing that? Mechanic's Assistant chat Customer: I have a 1994 Toyota Celica, stick shift, 4 cylinder car. I would think unless I'm on Can you drive with a cylinder misfire? How long can you drive and what damage will it cause. When the engine isn’t running on all cylinders, it’s going to be shaking and sounding funny. is there any benefit or need to remove the lead? do i leave the lead danglin'? 3) Suspect the burnt valve may have been caused by 'running lean'. For a few seconds, the pistons keep traveling up and down the cylinders. Nov 21, 2008 · Okay so lately I have been having all sorts of fun little issues and here is the one that I cant figure out. , P0301 for cylinder 1), indicates that the OBD-II system has detected an engine misfire. Manufacturers design engines with multiple cylinders for a reason. May 22, 2008 · as per the running on 3 cylinders, check if you're getting spark, put a wire in the end of the spark plug wire, while the car is running hold it up to something grounded and see if u have sparks. Causes could be faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors. It has good compression, spark and fuel (I have tested injectors and wires) on every cylinder. Auto mechanic Jason Shackelford says replacing your spark plug and coil is the most common solution. 7 ohms vs new 3 ohms. My May 4, 2004 · My question is could you tell if your running on 3 cylinders instead of 4 by the sound of the engine. I've got this little lump in my Ex Ambulance LDV Convoy. I know it is cylinder four since when I take the plug leads off one by one cylinder four makes no difference. Improve your vehicle's performance and avoid costly repairs today. Instead of driving with no compression in one cylinder, it would be best to get the issue fixed by an auto mechanic. So when you unplug a cylinder that it is running on, the engine might shut off, but it will usually start shaking way more than it was. When I first start them they only run on 3 cylinders. So, here is how to fix those. The problem is all the unburnt fuel from the dead cylinder will end up burning off in the turbo and catalytic converter. The one nearest the distributor cap doesnt appear to do anything! I removed the lead whilst the engine was running, and there was no change whatsoever, whereas removing the other 3 in turn caused the engine to cough and splutter until replaced. Feb 10, 2023 · Is your car's engine misfiring? A misfiring engine can indicate several different issues, but all have one thing in common: catching and fixing the problem early can save you both time and money in the long run. Especially since this is inconsistent. Can be bad spark plugs, defective coils, bad fuel injectors, defective spark plug wires, etc. The car will still be able to run and you’ll be able to drive it, but you’ll start to notice the engine jerking. Oct 28, 2025 · Learn what causes the BMW P0300 trouble code for misfires in multiple cylinders. Once it warms up or if I rev it high the 4th cylinder kicks in. Mar 13, 2010 · Brassneck, have you actually checked for a spark on the dropped cylinder? There's only two coils, one for each pair of cylinders and it's very, very unusual tor one cylinder to lose spark due to a defective coil and not the other paired cylinder Firstly, is it only running on three at all times, or just ticking over/low revs? Jan 12, 2023 · Pros and cons of a 3-cylinder engine. To determine the cause of the misfire, you might have to try a few different methods before you find your answer Dec 26, 2024 · Edit: actually, did the car run on all four cylinders with the old ones? I have compared the resistance of the old and new injectors: old 2. Misfires can be difficult to diagnose, and they can be caused by many different things. When I am driving at highway speeds (55-60mph) the truck will move to V4 and stay there for a few minutes. I've went through both carbs with c Oct 11, 2015 · It started right up the first time (yahoo) and while I was adjusting the timing and waiting for it to warm up so I could adjust the idle speed with the idle stop screw and idle speed adjustment screw, I noticed that the engine was running quite rough, appearing to run on 3 cylinders. Vibration while the May 30, 2025 · Cylinder 3 misfires happen when the fuel-air-spark ratio in your engine becomes unbalanced. Perform compression and leak-down tests, inspect plugs and connections, and check for air leaks in the induction system. Misfiring engine. This can lead to a reduction in power, increased emissions, and potential damage to the engine over time. Jul 28, 2021 · You’re driving down the road, and suddenly your oil light comes on — again! There's no puddle beneath your car, and you know it isn't time for another oil change. Sep 28, 2004 · Something I have found out is a stopped up Exhaust Gas recirculation (egr valve) can cause a toyota with alot of miles to stop running on 1 and 3 cylinders. Since this affects only one cylinder Apr 25, 2025 · How to Fix a Cylinder Not Firing When a car experiences an engine misfire, it indicates that one of the cylinders is not functioning properly. Jan 6, 2008 · Running on 3 cylinders The title says it. Whats going on with me baby? May 6, 2025 · A smooth-running engine is the foundation of a well-maintained vehicle. This is a common problem that can be caused by a couple of things. 0L with 21,000 miles. When I first start the car and its cold outside it idles like its on 3 cylinders. Perhaps you have even felt a misfire as you were driving your vehicle. The missing cylinder is #2 (as deterimined by pulling the wire off the plug and it having no efffect). AFM lifter failures, rough idling, high oil consumption, warning lights, and excessive vibrations are the common Chevy 8 cylinder to 4 cylinder problems. So i try to pull it out, and the spark plug came with it. My car is having bouncy idle and running on 3 out of 4 cylinders only. Manifold gasket needs replacing and could do with a rolling road but running fine otherwise previously. Jan 18, 2023 · Troubles starting the car engine Stalling Running rough Flashing or blinking check engine lights What Is The Consequence Of Misfire On 2 Cylinders? When cylinder misfires happen, the car engine will momentarily stumble and lose its speed (RPMs). Feb 6, 2024 · Here are the major reasons that can cause your car to run on 3 cylinders: Ignition System Malfunctions: Disrupted Sparks Read more What Can I Use Instead Of G12 Coolant? Find Viable Alternatives One of the common reasons for a car running on three cylinders instead of four is an issue with the ignition system. Nov 27, 2005 · I'm not sure if my engine is running on 3 cylinders or 4. Aug 1, 2011 · Hey everyone, i have a brand new 2011 sierra 5. Mar 8, 2025 · What Is Cylinder Deactivation Technology? Chevrolet’s cylinder deactivation technology—officially called Active Fuel Management (AFM) or Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) in newer models—allows V8 engines to run on just 4 cylinders when full power isn’t needed. When your car starts to shake and shudder at a stoplight or maintains high RPM while stationary, it’s more than just an annoyance, it’s a warning sign. Could it be a blown head gasket or blocked throttle body? I notice that when the car is sat their idling the tick over slightly increases and decreases by its self. Engine runs great sometimes, suddenly begins to run on only two cylinders. i also checked the spark plugs wires and bought a new distributer cap/rotor and still no 4 Jan 21, 2017 · What issues will I have running on 3 cylinders? I will disconnect the coil and injector for the bad cylinder. If the My car is misfing on cylinder 3 I put new plugs and coil packs In it did the compression test everything all cylinders were the same compression, some Jul 1, 2008 · Why is it only running on 5 cylinders? Is one cylinder dead due to lack of compression? If so, don’t you think the other cylinders are not far behind? Count on a damaged engine to hold for a 3600 mile round trip? I would not take that bet. This article will detail solutions that can help solve the problem. Sep 30, 2013 · Gotta hand it to the Nissan engineers, the car still is drivable with only 3 cylinders running!! Any thoughts on what I should try next? I've thought about replacing the ignition coils but at around $90 per coil, it seems expensive unless I know that the coils are the culprit. Now when it goes down to 4 the truck runs I have a 1994 Toyota Celica, stick shift, 4 cylinder car. Nov 24, 2010 · Why Is My Mini Only Firing Or 3 Cylinders - posted in Problems, Questions and Technical: hi,my mini recently started to loose power and someone suggested that it was noly firing on 3 cylinders. From what I understand an inline 6 is two 3 cylinder engines glued together with the 1st and 6th, 2nd and 5th, and 3rd and 4th cylinders matching eachother. Can I run on 3 cylinders long term? So my 2006 Honda element EX-P took a crap on me about 3 weeks ago. Car does not Ignition diagnosis on Alfas can seem intimidating, especially when it comes to a misfiring or a rough-idling engine. Checked plugs, leads, had dizzy cap off. May 2, 2011 · Thanks for all of the input, guys. Drove it for about 3 weeks, still Ultimately, your car’s engine will not run efficiently, even if you manage to start and drive your vehicle with no compression in one cylinder. An engine misfire occurs when one or more cylinders fail to ignite the air-fuel mixture correctly. I've had the engine service light on for awhile and then today it started blinking at me and the car began running to 2 cylinders. Bone stock, no mods of any kind. CIS fuel system. Mar 4, 2023 · 4) A bad fuel pump If the fuel pump delivers inadequate pressure, it can lead to the engine running lean, hesitating when accelerating, or misfiring. It ran wayyy too rich in that condition, too. No warningjust wham! Down to 3 cylinders. 0L Turbo) Mar 13, 2016 · When I bought it, it was running ragged on 3 cylinders. Discover common causes, diagnostic steps, and effective repairs to get your engine running smoothly again. just dont shock yourself (i always do and it feels not good) Jun 20, 2019 · Ok, so I have a 97 subaru outback that isn't running like it's on 2 cylinders, no, it really is on 2 cylinders. My tip: start simple! In this video I demonstrate the easiest way to tell if Jun 13, 2024 · Hi everyone, I'm having a serious issue with my 2006 330i. 3. This one is harder to locate because you don't see this part. A lean misfire would mean injector #1 isn't firing, or only partially firing. That energy is then distributed to each cylinder and spark plug by another wire – this is why it’s called a distributor. Once it gets warm it idles fine. Let's see if we can figure out why. Here's the most common symptoms and causes of engine running lean. Feb 19, 2019 · What have you done to try and fix the issue? Do you know what might be wrong with it in the first place which isn't allowing it to run on the fourth cylinder? There could be a plethora of peripheral things wrong with it now that you've been running it for so long on just the three cylinders. I On my way to work, I noticed my car started to run on 3 cylinders, the exhaust note changed very noticeably (straight pipe, so you can really tell when something changes). It felt as if the car was no longer running on 4 cylinders. Discussion in ' XJ Technical Chat ' started by rd337, Jan 26, 2013. Cylinder 4 has no compression and the mechanic told me the vehicle needs a new engine, but it would be more cost effective to look for a new car and part out/ scrap the element. This can kill those parts. Jul 8, 2007 · The facts: 2010 Audi A4 2. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. But to you, the driver, the problem will usually feel like hesitation or shaking when the car is running. My car seems to running on three cylinders. The easiest and cheapest solution is to replace the spark plugs, cables, or the distributor cap. The problem: My car is running on 3 cylinders. It was boggin, backfiring, rough idle. Before diving into this topic, it is essential to point out that if you have this problem after changing the spark plugs or ignition coils, ensure that the spark plug wires and ignition coil harnesses are not switched around. Highway driving seems OK. Might sound crazy but my car is running on all 4 now. This is a sign that something is wrong with one of the many elements that contribute to the smooth running of the engine and cylinders. Keep reading to learn why your car is losing oil but not leaking and what you can do to fix it. 4 cyl engine May 1, 2021 · What causes the Check Engine light to pop on when your car is running? Technically, a misfire is the result of incomplete combustion (or zero combustion) inside one or more of an engine’s cylinders. And once hot it runs on all 4. upon diagnosis on the side of the road, I came to the realization that when I pull all 4 spark plugs, cylinders 1 and 3 do not spark together during an ignition test for cylinders 1 and 3. Read on to learn more about the top five possible causes of misfires, why they occur, tell-tale warning signs that indicate a problem, and recommended solutions for each issue. If I leave and just let it idle like crap it dies sometimes. What is happening is; when you shut the ignition off, something, somehow is causing a couple of the cylinders to keep igniting, which in turn keeps the engine running, although Feb 6, 2024 · You may be wondering, “what does an engine misfire feel like?” There may be a palpable loss of power resulting from a vehicle that may be running on fewer cylinders than normal, or a brief hesitation in the delivery of power when gas is applied. Sep 26, 2025 · Learn how to fix a car running on 3 cylinders with easy troubleshooting tips and expert advice. 3 and i love it but i have a little concern with on thing. Should I just put a piece of tap over the CEL and forget about it? How long do you think it could last? Apr 10, 2007 · Don't know if I would rejet without first reading the plugs. Jan 6, 2008 · Hi, My afn a4 quattro is running on 3 cylinders. its been sitting for 1 1/2 now. Addressing engine misfires promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and maintain optimal vehicle performance. The vibration was worse under acceleration. Then this morning while my girlfriend is driving to work (at 60 mph on hwy), the car begins to studder/jerk violently and the CEL light begins to flash. Even though that might dissipate and send your car back to its normal condition, do not yet rejoice. I had the codes run and they Jul 31, 2002 · Running on 3 Cylinders, any pointers? Normally Aspirated with bolt-on Forced Induction Powertrain Aug 27, 2023 · A "Misfire" code, often displayed as a "P0300" or specific cylinder code (e. The most common problems after changing spark plugs include misfires, engine not running on all cylinders, or refusing to start. Jun 27, 2013 · No spark plug wires, code reader is always reporting cylinder #2 misfire and I have swapped plugs and coils on cylinder #2 just to eliminate it. I thought the plugs might be fouled (All were BLACK = rich), so I replaced them, but still not firing on cylinders 2,3,5, and 8. now I only have 3 cylinders, does this problem reverse itself? will i be running too [edit: rich]? The drivers side cylinder bank is not working. You can adjust the jetting to compensate, or Jul 23, 2008 · The bottom two cylinders dont seem to be running at all so i took it to have carbs stripped down and cleaned thinking it was a stuck jet. Mar 15, 2023 · A lean running engine can cause damages to the internal parts, and it's important to fix it. But you may notice some other side effects when the gasket is dead: Dec 31, 2020 · Running-on occurs when the fuel/air mixture in the cylinders ignites without a spark. Dec 14, 2000 · My second observation is a question: how do you know it's only running on 5 cylinders? Did you do the wire test — remove one spark plug wire at a time — or remove one injector connector plug at a time? If so, was it the same cylinder cutting out? Did you check the plug for that cylinder? When my Honda CBR900’s engine is cold, it works only on three cylinders. You’ll notice rough and/or slow acceleration. I drove about 300 miles on the motorway and then the car developed a misfire. Why are 3-cylinder engines more noisy? What is the life of a 3-cylinder engine? Sep 4, 2007 · Re: running on 3 cylenders wouldn't the coils still be firing anyway? I can take all the drivers side coils out and hold the firing tips to the plenum or other grounded metal surface and get no sparks at all like I usually would also I just got done replacing the timing belt and this is my first time trying to restart it after reassembly. She pulls into a gas station and calls me. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. And, low or no compression leads to, incomplete combustion and misfires. It only had 1k miles on it though and the compression was 178 to 180 psig in all four cylinders, new engine compression. Fuel injectors can clog over time due to fuel deposits. Jan 17, 2010 · #1 & #3 cylinders not firing (help needed) Page: 1, 2 Next Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic Jump to: You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum Inline 6 running on 3 cylinders. When the engine begins to warm, all goes fine and all the cylinders begin to work. Checked my vaccuum lines, swapped my ecu, changedthe distriputer cap and plugs because I found that 2,4, and 6 are not getting any spark. However, some Is it OK to drive with 3 cylinders? The problem with running on only 3 cylinders isn’t the unbalanced load on the crank. Let’s look at the most common causes of rough idling or Finally, a defective fuel pump will also cause the car misfires when accelerating or when running hot. I have spark going to the plug and I have fuel (spray is a mist and cone shaped). Jul 17, 2021 · The code P030X (p0301-P0308) means that the cylinder number X misfires, or there is no combustion in that cylinder. It is only running on 3 cylinders. i hate being Dec 13, 2007 · after driving the car normall legal speeds for about 30 mins, the car missfires/runs on 3 cylinders? when i turn the car off for say an our its fine when is start up again, then the process repeats. Dec 29, 2008 · running on 3 cylinders Newbies & FAQsWelcome to the NASIOC. The car ran on all four with the old ones. At idle the car is running incredibly rough running. I hit the pedal to pickup speed again and noticed a vibration almost like a loose wheel that came through the cabin. Symptoms of low engine compression can be, an illuminated (CEL), and the engine running rough or misfiring. Most vehicles have one fuel injector per cylinder, so if your misfires are localized to specific cylinders, those cylinders may not receive fuel to combust. Dec 5, 2023 · In my shop, customers often describe P0302 as “my car shakes at stoplights” or “it feels like it’s running on three cylinders”—which is exactly what’s happening when cylinder 2 isn’t firing properly. #2 is running rich because every time I pull out the spark plug its quite a bit blacker than it should be. I got it to side of How much does it cost to fix a dead cylinder? To costs of fixing a dead cylinder will vary depending on the car make and model, but in general, costs are between 200$ and 350$ for the cylinder and another 150$ to 250$ for the labor. Car has ran flawlessly, without so much as a hiccup for 21,000 miles. I have spark in the cylinder and when i pull the Feb 13, 2011 · The car is 87 Golf GL (US built). If it was Jan 13, 2007 · It's only running on 4 cylinders, and running SUPER rich all of a sudden. Identify common symptoms of a misfiring cylinder and schedule an inspection today with YourMechanic. I put some gas dryer through it, but after two weeks have not noticed a change. Could the rings be stuck? Apr 19, 2004 · HELP!! My car feels like it is only running on 3 cylinders Factory 2. I replaced the Dec 23, 2011 · Not sure if I'm in the right posting section? I've got a pretty much standard 3. And to inspect it, you will need to take the engine head off which is a task for professionals only. When this happens, you might notice symptoms like the check engine light coming on or your vehicle stalling or losing power. For example, if the cylinder number 1 misfires in a 4-cylinder engine, it will run only on 3 cylinders and will have the code P0301, see the animation. Apr 7, 2012 · My engine is only running on number 3 & 4 Cylinders 1 & 2 are not firing It is a twin port 1600 with solex 30/31 single carb I've replaced the plugs, points (checked gap), HT leads, Distributor complete for a 009, coil twice, condenser twice. I pulled into the services and checked what I could and then decided that as it was after midnight and I was about 75 miles from my destination I should try to carry on. This condition is also known as after-running or dieseling because combustion of the air-fuel mixture happens without the presence of the spark, just like in a diesel engine. Jul 8, 2018 · crusing along a highway in my Subaru when all of a sudden I could detect a misfire in progress. I drove it into a parking lot but it felt as if it was only running on 3 cylinders (very sluggish hard to start Apr 5, 2009 · hey just finished putting my car back together. Never better result, runs perfect for short periods of operation then suddenly no power, feels like two cylinders operating. g. Dec 9, 2024 · Decode the meaning of the P0303 diagnostic trouble code, which signals a misfire in cylinder 3. Weird thing is is when I swap coils from cylinder 2 (dead cylinder) to cylinder 3 the problem doesn't move. 5 apart from a unknown upgraded cam, edelbrock 4-barrel set up, a Mallory duel points dizzy and a RPi LPG system with RPi AMP. Feb 6, 2024 · A car running on 2 cylinders instead of 4 suggests an engine misfire. The more cylinders an engine has, the more power it can generate, enhancing the overall performance of the vehicle. Dec 13, 2005 · Hey Guys, This just happened on way home from work . i have a 2000 gsr. There are several potential reasons Nov 13, 2023 · This article examines common problems that can cause misfire codes on only one block. You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. Some other manufacturers offer similar systems. I have 2 Yamaha bikes right now both with the same problem. This issue can lead to poor engine performance and decreased fuel efficiency. All of the plugs are brand new (it was running really rich), the wires, cap Aug 23, 2023 · Put them back in and tested the car and it ran on 4 cylinders right upon start again. Stored the car for the winter, hoping for a 2023 season that it would see more use Spring 2023: took the car out of storage and it started again only on 3 cylinders, switched to 4 cylinders after a short time (few mins or so) Dec 21, 2011 · So I pulled all the plugs again, and noticed the plugs in cylinders 5 and 8 are running very white, whereas the others all have a bit of color. Aug 26, 2003 · Well any way, i looked under the hood today because i was hearing a wierd sound and my car was running like crap. This article covers the symptoms, common causes, diagnosis process, and effective solutions to get your engine running smoothly again. This is more of a general question but I was curious. Dec 19, 2008 · Hi all, My xr3i is only running on 3 cylinders. Confirm ignition system integrity before addressing fuel delivery. The systems have come a long way from when one was first introduced on Cadillac in 1981. I replaced all the spark plugs (NGK) and replaced all the coil packs (Hitachi). A misfire causes a rough idling, shaky acceleration, or even a blinking check engine lights. Brand new plugs, did resistance check on all 4 coils and everything is in spec. Jul 8, 2019 · 2 If you are getting a misfire on cylinder 1 and a lean code to boot, I'd suggest your issue lies in the fuel injector for cylinder number one. We’ll explore the causes, diagnosis, and common symptoms associated with a misfiring engine. These symptoms can indicate a variety of issues, from minor maintenance needs to serious mechanical problems. It was misfiring on several cylinders but running and driving okay. The best thing to do is get in touch with a local mechanic as soon as Nov 16, 2023 · So, Engine Compression is the pressure created, inside each of the engine’s cylinders. GX engine code with solid JH head. I know I know veggie oil. Remember, most car engines are four-stroke; hence operations are highly timed. Oct 21, 2022 · How do you fix the car that's running on 2 cylinders? Find out why it is only running on 2 cylinders. Think of it as your truck going into “eco mode” automatically. Dec 19, 2013 · I have a 2007 gsxr 1000 only running on 3 cylinders. Why Is My Car Losing Oil? When a car Dec 13, 2008 · So my 1997 subaru outback w/ 230000 miles has no compression in cylinder 4. the reason I'm asking is that I have gas in the oil in my 88 pulsar(ca18de) and was wondering if a coil pack failed thereby not causing the sparkplug to ignite the fuel being shot into one of my Learn what the P0303 diagnostic trouble code means and how to troubleshoot a misfire in cylinder 3 of your engine with AutoZone. Model:AdvantageYear:'87Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible My questions are: does it make sense to think that spark plugs all of the same age would go bad on 3 cylinders but not the 4th one? I assume that last plug is on its last legs as well, but if the car's only running on one cylinder, why isn't there any decrease in power? Are there other problems I should be looking for? Archived post. Ive Aug 10, 2018 · Any ideas? been looking for weeks still cant figure it out, Car starts up but soon as it does it runs like its running off of freaking 2 CYLINDERS, Starts shaking stumbling, seems like the whole world is shaking when it starts up its just so bad its stopping me from driving the car only codes are for misfire in cylinder 4 5 and 6. Aug 5, 2010 · I believe my number 1 cylinder is either dead or at this point it’s compression level is near 0. Also, the engine failing to start, despite turning over quickly. I have driven a few 5SFE with disconnected cylinders but only for a few miles, not a 100. Replaced coil pack, plugs, leads and cylinder four injector. you can see whether im running on all 8 cylinders or when it cuts down to 4. At this point I'm thinking something is wrong with the piston rings for cylinder #4. You figure it out. Mar 24, 2025 · An engine misfire happens when one of the cylinders in your engine fails to function properly. Low compression: Another common culprit of engine misfiring that you want to look into is low compression. So it appeared as though nothing was happening in the first two cylinders and it was only running on 2 cylinders. I have run it on vegetable oil and since has been running really bad. Some people call this "dieseling" or engine "run-on". Top5autorepairs Subscribe 2) Mechanic pulled the wires to the cylinder. could this be the cause?also, if it is then how do i get this started and what causes this to occur?thanks in advance. Why does my engine still try to run after I shut it off? How to stop engine run-on or "Dieseling". If the ignition coil is bad, or is starting to fail, it won’t supply the spark energy to the distributor to make the car run. An engine compression test is the most practical way, to May 1, 2007 · My 2000 115 PD Golf GT TDI is running on 3 cylinders. Engine management light on and barely gets past 60, local garage what £850 to repair, found low compression on cylinder 3. What can cause a misfire on one bank or side of the engine? Catalytic Converter A Aug 6, 2020 · Can a 6 cylinder car run on 4 cylinders? Honda’s system, which it calls Variable Cylinder Management, can switch a V6 engine to run on three or four cylinders, depending on what’s best for the driving conditions. So what I did was swap #1 and #2 coil packs and that didnt fix anything. I noticed on cylinder 4 the plug wire wasn't all the way down, so i tried to push it down and it wouldn't budge. When higher than 1500 the engine sounds more normal. So with the car being a 98 Ford Taurus 6 cylinder/3. This is known as the “dieseling effect” because it is caused by the fuel igniting spontaneously in the combustion chambers, which occurs (deliberately) in a diesel engine. In this video I explain why you should not drive when the car is misfiring. however left the spark plug / lead attached. . It idles very rough and the CEL flashes at me sometimes. If your car is overheating, itÂ€Â™s most likely due to a problem in your coolant system, such as a thermostat failure, damaged radiator or water pump. What I find strange is the engine will be misfiring, you can feel it, if you turn it off/on and it is below standard running temperature it continues to misfire, once the engine reaches running temp and you turn it off/on the misfire stops. The engine sounds like it's only firing on 3 cylinders. Clogged Fuel Injectors Fuel injectors do exactly what their name suggests: they inject fuel into the engine’s cylinders. This could be followed by exhaust smoke coming out of the tailpipe, the smell of gas, and Is there any harm in driving on only 2 cylinders. When I first bought this car, it was running fine, with no visible smoke, but eventually it began to smoke under acceleration and now this. We cover the following questions and topics: changed plugs and coils still misfiring what to do after changing spark plugs cylinder 2 misfire after spark plug change problems after changing spark Feb 10, 2015 · Having done a little fault finding I noticed that pulling plug leads off cylinders 1 & 2 made no difference to the way the engine was running.