A Nissan not running on all cylinders can develop noticeable engine vibration, poor performance and rough running. CMM Automotive recently attended a Nissan in Bullsbrook after the vehicle developed an engine running problem.
The Nissan wasn’t operating correctly and the engine appeared to be misfiring.
Rather than continuing to drive the vehicle and hoping the problem would disappear, the owner arranged assistance so we could investigate the cause.
Nissan Running Rough in Bullsbrook
An engine relies on each cylinder operating correctly to produce smooth and consistent power.
When one cylinder stops contributing properly, the engine can begin shaking or running roughly. Acceleration may also become noticeably weaker.
Several different faults can produce these symptoms, so it’s important to diagnose the problem rather than immediately replacing parts.
We inspected the Nissan to determine why the engine wasn’t running correctly.
What Causes an Engine to Misfire?
A petrol engine requires the correct combination of fuel, air, compression and ignition for each cylinder to operate properly.
If one of these is missing or incorrect, the affected cylinder may misfire.
Possible causes include:
- worn or faulty spark plugs
- ignition coil problems
- fuel injector faults
- wiring or electrical problems
- incorrect fuel delivery
- vacuum or intake problems
- low engine compression
Because several faults can produce similar symptoms, diagnostic testing can help narrow down the cause.
Faulty Spark Plugs Causing the Nissan Misfire
Our inspection found a problem with the Nissan’s spark plugs.
Spark plugs create the spark required to ignite the air and fuel mixture inside a petrol engine. They operate thousands of times every minute while the engine is running.
As spark plugs wear or develop faults, the quality of the spark can deteriorate.
A faulty plug may prevent one cylinder from firing correctly. This can cause rough running, vibration, reduced power and poor engine performance.
In this Nissan, faulty spark plugs were responsible for the engine not operating correctly on all four cylinders.
Why Spark Plug Condition Matters
Spark plugs are relatively small components, but they play an important role in engine performance.
Worn plugs can increase the voltage required from the ignition system and may contribute to misfires under acceleration or engine load.
Drivers may notice symptoms such as difficult starting, hesitation, reduced performance or an engine warning light.
Following the manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule can help prevent spark plugs from remaining in service well beyond their intended replacement interval.
Should You Keep Driving With an Engine Misfire?
Continuing to drive a vehicle that is badly misfiring isn’t something we’d recommend unnecessarily.
An engine misfire can make the vehicle difficult to drive and may place additional stress on other components.
Unburned fuel may also enter the exhaust system when a cylinder isn’t firing correctly. In some situations, this can contribute to excessive heat in the catalytic converter.
If the engine begins running very roughly or the engine warning light starts flashing, having the problem investigated is the sensible option.
Diagnosing the Problem at the Vehicle
This Bullsbrook callout demonstrates the value of diagnosing a vehicle where the problem occurs.
The symptoms showed that the Nissan wasn’t running correctly, but that alone didn’t identify which component had caused the fault.
By inspecting the vehicle and checking the ignition system, we identified the faulty spark plugs as the cause.
Finding the actual fault allowed the problem to be addressed without simply guessing which parts required attention.
Roadside Assistance for Engine Problems in Perth
CMM Automotive provides mobile roadside assistance throughout Perth for many unexpected vehicle problems.
A vehicle doesn’t need to stop completely before roadside assistance becomes useful. Severe rough running, engine misfires and loss of power can also make continuing to drive undesirable.
Our mobile service allows us to attend the vehicle and investigate the problem at its location.
For customers requiring breakdown assistance in Perth, identifying the cause can help determine whether the vehicle can be repaired on site or requires further attention.
Nissan Breakdown Assistance in Bullsbrook
The Nissan in Bullsbrook was unable to run correctly on all four cylinders because of faulty spark plugs.
What initially appeared to be a potentially serious engine problem ultimately came down to components within the ignition system.
This is another example of why proper diagnosis matters when a vehicle suddenly begins running differently.
CMM Automotive provides roadside and breakdown assistance throughout Bullsbrook and surrounding Perth suburbs.
If your vehicle develops an unexpected engine problem, contact CMM Automotive on 1800 888 990 for assistance.
