Intermittent Engine Misfire Analysis -

Intermittent Engine Misfire Analysis

Even for an experienced diagnostic technician, ­attempting to diagnose an intermittent misfire ­condition that occurs only under specific driving conditions can be a frustrating exercise. Let's begin by getting the basics out of the way. As we know, the general causes of a misfire fall under the ­general headings of 1.) ignition, 2.) fuel density, 3.) compression and 4.) timing failures.

Even for an experienced diagnostic technician, ­attempting to diagnose an intermittent misfire ­condition that occurs only under specific driving conditions can be a frustrating exercise. Let’s begin by getting the basics out of the way. As we know, the general causes of a misfire fall under the ­general headings of 1.) ignition, 2.) fuel density, 3.) compression and 4.) timing failures.

Photo 1: The P0300 random misfire code might indicate a sympathetic cylinder misfire, which will disappear after the cylinder-specific P0304 code is ­repaired.
Photo 1: The P0300 random misfire code might indicate a sympathetic cylinder misfire, which will disappear after the cylinder-specific P0304 code is ­repaired.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) detects a misfire by using the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor to measure the acceleration of the crankshaft when a cylinder fires. When a cylinder fires normally, the crankshaft momentarily accelerates, and when a misfire ­occurs, the crankshaft ­momentarily decelerates.

In brief, the PCM counts misfires at 200- and 1,000-rpm intervals and uses this data to sort misfires into Type “A” misfires, that can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, and Type “B” misfires that cause ­exhaust emissions to exceed the ­federal test procedure (FTP) standards by 1.5 times.

Type “A” misfires are indicated by a flashing orange “Check Engine” light (CEL), while Type “B” misfires simply illuminate the CEL. Both types of misfires will store a P0300-series diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in the diagnostic ­memory. As a point of clarification, the fourth zero on a P0300 code indicates a “random” ­misfire distributed among a majority of cylinders, whereas the fourth digit (ex. P0301) indicates which cylinder is misfiring.

With that said, the misfire detection strategy programmed into specific engine management systems will vary widely among vehicle models, model years and manufacturers. Remember also that a rough idle doesn’t always meet the criteria for storing a cylinder misfire code. See Photo 1.

Ignition Misfires

Photo 2: To prevent cylinder misfires at idle speed, some ignition systems fire each spark plug twice, producing a “double-strike” waveform.
Photo 2: To prevent cylinder misfires at idle speed, some ignition systems fire each spark plug twice, producing a “double-strike” waveform.

Intermittent ignition misfires can be caused by faulty spark plugs, spark plug wires, ignition coils and ignition coil drivers located in the ECM. Some intermittent misfires can be more easily ­detected if a scan tool displays an individual cylinder misfire count in its datastream, or monitors coil activity and variations in burn time and ­primary coil amperage. Since misfires caused by coolant leaking from cylinder head gaskets often depend upon engine temperature, they can ­become very intermittent. In most cases, the diagnostic tech must pursue intermittent ignition faults by visually inspecting parts for spark perforation or carbon tracking, or by using a labscope to ­monitor ignition activity.

Many intermittent ignition misfires can be ­prevented by using a rubber spark plug holding tool to keep the insulators clean when installing new spark plugs. Using an anti-seize compound is also an issue because the compound must be nickle-based. Manufacturers differ on whether or not to recommend the use of anti-seize, but most do not. Excess anti-seize compound can cause a misfire under load by spattering on spark plug electrodes. Lastly, always install a long-life spark plug that meets the OE manufacturer’s ­standards for heat range, shell plating and electrode design. See Photo 2.

Fuel Density Misfires

Fuel density misfires are caused by air/fuel (A/F) ratios that are too lean or too rich. A leaking intake manifold gasket or an intermittently clogged or inactive fuel injector, for example, can reduce the fuel density inside the cylinder to the point that it fails to support combustion. Intake manifold gaskets, especially those sealed with rubber O-rings, are often temperature-sensitive and can cause lean misfires when the engine is cold.

A disintegrating substrate in a catalytic converter can also cause intermittent misfires when the cylinders can’t draw enough air to support combustion. When dealing with an intermittent or “hard” cylinder bank misfire, it’s important to determine if the ­engine is equipped with a catalytic converter on each bank. Keep in mind that many in-line engines are now configured in the ECM with a “bank 1,” which is the front half of the engine and a “bank 2,” which is the rear half.

In many cases, an excessively lean or rich A/F ratio will be accompanied by short- and long-term fuel trims exceeding plus or minus 5% and a P0171/174 (lean) or P0173/175 (rich) diagnostic trouble code. Keep in mind that a rich A/F ­condition might cause a rough idle, but often won’t store a P0300-series code. Many P0173/175 “rich” trouble codes are mechanically caused by leaking fuel pressure regulators, leaking fuel injectors or excessive fuel pressure.

The more common P0171/174 “lean” codes are typically caused at higher engine speeds by faulty data supplied through the engine coolant temperature (ECT), barometric pressure (Baro), throttle ­position (TP), mass air flow (MAF) and oxygen ­sensors (O2). Examples include out-of-the-box problems like broken TP sensor ground wires or by loose debris floating in the MAF sensor housing. Intermittent P0171/174 codes can also be ­created mechanically by low fuel pump pressures or clogged fuel injectors when the engine is operating under load.

Compression Misfires

Compression misfires are most often caused by leaking intake or exhaust valves, mechanical valvetrain failure or incorrectly timed camshafts. Diagnosing an intermittent compression misfire can be tricky if the problem is caused by a marginal failure like a carboned-up intake valve seat or a broken valve spring.

In either case, the misfire might occur only under specific operating conditions. Engines equipped with variable valve ­timing (VVT) generally cause misfires on a single cylinder bank of a V-type ­engine if a cam phaser or solenoid intermittently sticks in position. On rare occasion, a sticking ­exhaust valve caused by insufficient valve stem oil clearances or a weak valve spring can also cause a very ­intermittent loss of ­compression and cylinder misfire.

Timing Issues

Obviously, over-advanced ignition timing can cause cylinder misfires. Excessively retarded valve timing won’t cause a misfire, but will cause a ­substantial loss of power. But since ignition timing on most modern ignitions is non-adjustable, any failure in ­ignition timing would be caused by a computational error in the ECM. Computed valve timing problems are less of an issue ­because an ­appropriate DTC is stored in the ECM’s ­diagnostic memory.

Scan Tool Tips

As mentioned earlier, the general causes of a misfire fall under the headings of 1.) ignition, 2.) fuel, 3.) compression and 4.) timing. Always begin any intermittent misfire diagnosis by using your professional scan tool to retrieve misfire codes and freeze-frame data. When diagnosing intermittent misfires, don’t forget to look at pending codes for indications of an individual cylinder misfire.

If your scan tool’s misfire history indicates multiple cylinder misfires, focus on the cylinder with the most misfire counts. The misfire counts on adjacent cylinders are often “sympathetic” misfires that will often disappear when the primary misfire is repaired.

Short-term fuel trim (SFT) numbers can be used to determine if the misfire is caused by lean or rich a/f ratios. Normal SFTs running about plus or minus 5%, or even as high as 10%, might not indicate a problem. But, for example, if the SFT is running high positive numbers at idle and returns to zero as the engine speeds up, you’re probably looking at a vacuum leak.

As mentioned earlier, negative SFTs indicating a rich A/F ratio might produce a rough idle, but won’t always produce a P0300 code. Keep in mind that the downstream, post-catalyst oxygen sensor can often be used to differentiate between an ignition- or fuel-related misfire. To illustrate, a misfire caused by a lean A/F mixture will drive the downstream voltage lower because an excess of oxygen is passing through the catalytic converter. In contrast, an ignition misfire will drive the downstream O2 voltage higher because raw fuel and oxygen is being oxidized in the catalytic ­converter.

Labscope Tips

Photo 3: This current ramp waveform indicates that the ignition is a ­non-current limiting system that’s drawing about six amperes of current.
Photo 3: This current ramp waveform indicates that the ignition is a ­non-current limiting system that’s drawing about six amperes of current.

Labscopes can be used to display secondary ignition waveforms through a special inductive probe. If you’re testing primary ignition, you should use an attenuated test lead to avoid damaging your scope. In any case, secondary waveforms are ­valuable for ­detecting bad spark plug wires and ignition coils. If available, your “movie” feature can be used to more easily detect intermittent cylinder misfires.

Current ramping the primary ­ignition system by using a low-amperage current probe to display the current rise through the coil primary ­circuit is the best method to detect a bad ignition coil because it’s non-invasive and provides a far more accurate indication of coil performance than do most primary or secondary displays. See Photo 3.

Photo 4: While pressure transducer testing requires advanced ­labscope skills, it’s well worth learning to help diagnose compression and camshaft timing problems. In this waveform, the exhaust valve opens at cursor 1, while the intake valve closes at cursor 2.
Photo 4: While pressure transducer testing requires advanced ­labscope skills, it’s well worth learning to help diagnose compression and camshaft timing problems. In this waveform, the exhaust valve opens at cursor 1, while the intake valve closes at cursor 2.

In-cylinder pressure transducer testing is an ­excellent method for accurately testing running compression and camshaft timing. While space doesn’t allow a more detailed explanation of scan tool and scope diagnostics, keep in mind that many excellent training books and videos are available through several ­reputable aftermarket suppliers. Practice makes perfect and collecting known-good data in your scan tool or scope memory for future reference is the best way of recognizing the various causes of an intermittent misfire. See Photo 4.

Propane Testing

When used with care, introducing propane into the intake system to enrich the A/F ratio is a quick and generally efficient method for diagnosing fuel density misfires. In brief, adding fuel will temporarily ­correct a lean-fuel condition caused by a vacuum leak or clogged fuel injector. Remember that when propane is added to intake air, the lean cylinder will return to normal, while the remaining cylinders will run slightly rich. Keeping it quick and simple is often the best way to diagnose any fuel-related ­intermittent misfire.

Courtesy ImportCar.

You May Also Like

Ignition Coil Output

To see inductance inside the primary windings, use an amp probe placed around the positive wire for the ignition coil.

Kilovolts or kV is the unit used to measure the output of an ignition coil. Some coils can output 20kV to 40 kV. So, how does an ignition coil turn system or battery voltage into these huge voltages? The answer is inductance. 

The ECM provides the voltage to the primary coil winding. The primary winding might have 100 turns around the coil’s core or plates. When the voltage to the coil is turned off, a magnetic field collapses. The collapsing field will generate more than 100 volts thanks to inductance. The energy is transformed by the windings in the secondary with inductance again, but thanks to the 10,000 windings, the voltage is boosted to 40kV at the spark plug’s electrodes. The best way to see inductance inside the primary windings is to use an amp probe placed around the positive wire for the ignition coil. With this setup, you can see the current ramping in the coil and the collapse of the magnetic field. 

Maximize Your Scan Tool

Are you maximizing your scan tools to their full potential? Don’t let them be just an expensive code reader.

Air Ride Conversion Kits

Air ride and active shocks and struts will eventually fail – succumbing to either damage to or dry rot of the air spring.

Nylon Fuel Line Repair Techniques

Can you repair fuel lines yourself? Yes, if you make quality your number one priority when making decisions.

Understanding Differences Between Aluminum And Cast Iron

Sheer material differences aside, what are the features and benefits of aluminum and iron engine components?

Other Posts

Wheel Speed Sensors and Bearings

The only way to diagnose the sensor and circuit is with a scan tool or scope. 

Timing Chain Systems Need Clean, Quality Oil

Using the wrong oil causes a vehicle’s timing chain to wear quicker.

Threadlocking Compounds For Vehicle Corners

To get the most out of these “liquid” tools, you first need to know how they work.

Battery Charging and Programming Diagnostics

Temperature changes how the battery discharges and the amount of current that can be delivered.