How to judge the lack of cylinder
In automobile repair and maintenance, engine cylinder shortage is a common problem. Lack of cylinders will lead to problems such as insufficient engine power, jitter, increased fuel consumption, etc. In serious cases, it may even damage the engine. This article will introduce in detail how to determine whether the engine is missing a cylinder, and provide structured data to help you quickly diagnose the problem.
1. What is a missing cylinder?

Cylinder shortage means that one or more cylinders of the engine are unable to function properly, resulting in insufficient combustion or no combustion at all. Common causes include ignition system failure, fuel supply problems, insufficient cylinder pressure, etc.
2. Common symptoms of tank shortage
The following are typical symptoms of a missing cylinder:
| Symptoms | possible reasons |
|---|---|
| The engine vibrates significantly | Imbalanced cylinder combustion |
| power loss | Some cylinders are not involved in the work |
| Increased fuel consumption | Reduced combustion efficiency |
| Black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe | Insufficient fuel combustion |
| Difficulty starting | Ignition system or fuel system failure |
3. How to judge the lack of cylinder?
The following are several commonly used judgment methods:
| method | Operation steps |
|---|---|
| listen to the sound | When the engine is running, a missing cylinder will sound noticeably different, usually duller or silent. |
| Pull out the high voltage wire | Unplug the high-voltage wires one by one and observe the changes in engine speed. If the rotational speed does not change after unplugging a certain high-voltage wire, the cylinder may be missing. |
| Use diagnostic tool | Connect the OBD diagnostic instrument, read the fault code and data stream, and determine whether there is a cylinder misfire record. |
| Check spark plug | Remove the spark plug and observe. If the spark plug of a certain cylinder is abnormal (such as severe carbon deposition), the cylinder may be short of cylinder. |
| Measure cylinder pressure | Use a cylinder pressure gauge to measure the pressure of each cylinder. Cylinders with obviously low pressure may have a cylinder shortage problem. |
4. Common causes and solutions for lack of cylinders
There are many reasons for lack of cylinders. The following are common reasons and corresponding solutions:
| Reason | solution |
|---|---|
| Spark plug failure | Replace spark plug |
| Ignition coil damaged | Replace ignition coil |
| Fuel injection nozzle clogged | Clean or replace fuel injector |
| Insufficient cylinder pressure | Check piston rings, valves and other components, and overhaul the engine if necessary |
| ECU failure | Repair or replace ECU |
5. Measures to prevent cylinder shortage
To avoid cylinder shortage problems, it is recommended to take the following precautions:
1. Replace spark plugs and ignition coils regularly
2. Use high-quality fuel and oil
3. Clean the fuel injector and throttle valve regularly
4. Avoid running the engine under high load for a long time
5. Perform regular engine diagnosis and maintenance
6. Summary
Cylinder shortage is one of the common engine faults. Timely detection and resolution can avoid more serious damage. By observing symptoms, using diagnostic tools, and troubleshooting one by one, you can accurately determine the cylinder shortage problem. Regular maintenance and proper vehicle use are keys to preventing cylinder starvation. If you cannot solve it by yourself, it is recommended to contact professional maintenance personnel in time.
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