How many kilometers can you drive with a misfiring cylinder?
2 Answers
You should not continue driving with a misfiring cylinder. The issue needs to be resolved promptly, as continued driving can lead to engine overheating, backfiring, a significant increase in fuel consumption, and in severe cases, crankshaft deformation or breakage. Below are the causes of engine misfiring: Worn cylinder liner and piston ring with excessive clearance: Excessive clearance due to wear in the engine cylinder liner and piston rings, improper sealing of intake and exhaust valves, and leakage from valve oil seals can result in insufficient cylinder pressure, leading to misfiring. Worn fuel injector: Poor fuel atomization caused by a worn fuel injector, which can increase or decrease fuel supply or even stop fuel injection, resulting in misfiring. ECU (Engine Control Unit) failure: For high-pressure common rail engines, misfiring can also be caused by a failure in the engine's ECU. Substandard diesel fuel quality: Excessive impurities in the fuel can cause engine wear. Therefore, it is essential to use high-quality fuel and perform regular engine maintenance to significantly reduce the likelihood of misfiring.
Last time my engine had a misfire, the car shook like a sieve and almost stalled halfway, giving me a real scare. Decades of driving experience tell me that you should never push a misfiring engine too hard—it might only last a few dozen kilometers. When one cylinder isn’t working, the whole system loses balance, and prolonged driving can damage the crankshaft and pistons, multiplying repair costs. On top of that, fuel consumption skyrockets, polluting the environment, and if the engine stalls on the highway, it could cause a serious accident. Misfires are often due to a burnt spark plug or ignition failure. I recommend stopping immediately to check or heading to the nearest repair shop. Don’t even think about long-distance driving—even short trips in the city shouldn’t exceed 50 kilometers. The longer you delay, the greater the risk, and the more expensive the repairs. Safety comes first—the car can wait, but lives can’t.
