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Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing


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ChimeraKip
New User

Feb 2, 2020, 5:43 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1596 views)
Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

I was driving and the check engine light came on and the engine started shaking. Drove a few miles home and the neighbors code machine said cylinder 4 has an ignition/plug problem. He is a retired mechanic and thought it was ok to drive it a short distance. My mechanic is about 10 miles away.

In online searches there was strong consensus not to drive it - can ruin the engine. I am tempted to get it towed. Opinions?
A year ago it did this and it was a bad fuel injector - we probably drove it just 2-3 miles in that case. I wonder if what caused that is causing this? Not sure what cylinder that was.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 2, 2020, 6:01 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1592 views)
Re: Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

Quote >"In online searches there was strong consensus not to drive it - can ruin the engine."<


So why are you still asking? Same answer here,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 2, 2020, 6:13 AM

Post #3 of 6 (1590 views)
Re: Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

Well, it depends on what the problem is whether it will do any damage.

If the problem is actually ignition, then you are dumping unburned fuel into the Catalytic Converter and yes that will do damage but if you can disable the injector for that cylinder in the meantime, that would prevent the damage. If your problem is a bad injector, then there is no issue with unburned fuel.

Since you didn't bother to post the year, make, model and engine size as we require, I can't help you with any specific info on that model.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



ChimeraKip
New User

Feb 2, 2020, 6:26 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1584 views)
Re: Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

I am still asking because that was just a general google search on the question and I wanted to contact individuals who have knowledge. Thanks[


ChimeraKip
New User

Feb 2, 2020, 6:27 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1584 views)
Re: Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

I have no way to figure any of that out and a tow is free so going to be conservative and do that. Thanks


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 2, 2020, 6:32 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1580 views)
Re: Can I drive car with one cylinder not firing Sign In

That's the smart move.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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