What Is an Engine Misfire?

A misfire is a condition where the pistons are not moving up and down in the engine. A misfire can cause serious damage to your car's engine if left ignored for too long. Read on to learn more about what engine misfire is.

What Is an Engine Misfire?

A misfire is when a cylinder does not fire when it should. This can cause the engine to run rough. It can cause a rattling noise and stall out the vehicle.

What Causes an Engine Misfire?

An engine misfire is a problem that can cause your car not to start, stall or run poorly. It's also a symptom of other problems with the vehicle's fuel system, such as dirty injectors or worn-out spark plugs. Engine misfires are caused by many things, including:

  • Dirty, broken or worn-out spark plugs
  • Low oil pressure (injector clogging) and/or overheating issues
  • Engine parts that aren't fitted correctly.

How To Detect if You Have an Engine Misfire

You can determine if your vehicle is experiencing an engine misfire. Check the following:

  1. Spark plugs. If you have a hard time getting your car to start in the morning, or if it's idling rougher than usual, it may be due to a problem with the spark plugs. You'll want to inspect them for wear and ensure they're clean before replacing them
  2. Oil pressure gauge reading (if equipped). A low oil pressure reading can cause engine damage over time
  3. Coolant level gauge reading. The coolant system helps maintain proper operating temperature levels within an internal combustion engine by transferring heat from its components back into the surrounding air so that no part overheats during operation.


When an engine misfires, it should never be ignored — a constant misfire could cause increased fuel consumption, excessive emissions and poor performance. Bring your vehicle to Future Auto Service today, so we can diagnose and repair any engine issues you may be having.