What Causes Poor Combustion in One Cylinder?

[VonHarmony]

There are several reasons for poor combustion in one cylinder: Diesel Engine: The issue of poor combustion in one cylinder needs to be analyzed case by case. For diesel engines, the situation is relatively simpler. It is usually caused by malfunctioning fuel injection pumps or injectors—either due to worn pump plungers leading to insufficient pressure or poor fuel atomization from the injectors. Typically, replacing these components can resolve the issue. Gasoline Engine: Gasoline engines are more complex. Start by checking the high-voltage wires and spark plugs to see if weak sparks or abnormal ignition are the causes. If the problem persists after ruling out ignition issues, inspect the valve train. For example, check whether the valves are worn or have carbon deposits, leading to poor sealing, or whether components like the camshaft and valve train parts are excessively worn.

[DelLawson]

I encountered this issue the last time I repaired my car. Poor combustion in one cylinder is usually caused by several reasons. It could be due to excessive carbon buildup on the spark plug or worn electrodes, leading to inefficient sparking; or an aging ignition coil that doesn't provide sufficient voltage to the cylinder. Fuel system problems are also common, such as clogged fuel injectors or uneven fuel injection, resulting in poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture. The compression system might also be at fault—for instance, valves not sealing properly or worn piston rings can reduce cylinder pressure. Additionally, a dirty air filter restricting airflow or a faulty cylinder temperature sensor misleading the ignition timing can cause similar issues. As someone who enjoys DIY car maintenance, I recommend first checking if the spark plugs and fuel lines are clean. Cleaning the fuel injectors and replacing old components often solves the problem. However, never overlook regular maintenance, as excessive carbon buildup in the engine can significantly reduce combustion efficiency. If symptoms persist, such as severe shaking and black smoke, it's safer to get a comprehensive diagnosis at a professional shop to prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.

[BradyLynn]

Having worked in this field for decades, I often encounter poor cylinder combustion conditions, mostly due to fundamental issues. Spark plugs that have aged from prolonged use may fail to ignite, while coil or high-voltage wire leakage is even more common; fuel-related problems are also frequent, such as clogged injectors or fuel line leaks leading to insufficient fuel supply; insufficient compression is another critical factor, including poor valve sealing or excessive piston ring gaps causing air leakage; incorrect readings from sensors like oxygen or temperature sensors can disrupt the ECU's ignition timing; temperature differences inside and outside the cylinder may also affect combustion, as cooling system malfunctions causing excessively high or low cylinder temperatures are problematic. In such cases, it's advisable to check if the cylinder pressure meets standards—using a compression tester can provide a preliminary diagnosis. Regular vehicle maintenance is essential to avoid low-quality gasoline and prolonged idling, as carbon buildup is a common root cause of combustion issues. Early cleaning can prevent more significant failures.

[DeAubree]

I've had a car for over ten years and encountered situations where the cylinder combustion wasn't working properly. Common causes include severe carbon buildup on spark plugs preventing ignition, clogged fuel injectors causing poor fuel supply, or worn piston rings leading to insufficient cylinder pressure. Sensor failures might also falsely report incorrect ignition timing, or excessive engine carbon deposits could reduce combustion efficiency. Recalling that particular issue, the steering wheel was shaking violently, but it improved after replacing the spark plugs. Everyone should pay attention to abnormal engine sounds while driving, and regular inspections of key components can prevent minor issues from escalating.