any harm to engine caused by not firing on one cylinder

[daverclasper]

Hi folks

 

had to unavoidably drive 50 miles to a wedding with car not firing on one (no 2) cylinder (out of six). I had taken it gently. Just wondering if this caused harm.

My thoughts were. Cylinder not getting hot. Only a tiny amount of fuel vapor that gets thrown out on exhaust stroke so not washing bores.

 

Only asking, as replaced plug from that cylinder is now a bit oily and carbonated (150 miles later) and not shown that in since owned car 3 years ago (though maybe it  was cause of old plug not firing). Plug was petrol wet with not firing, so replaced it with spare in case plug had failed.

 

Any thoughts, would be great.

 

Cheers, Dave

 

  

[Pete Lewis]

It wont do any real harm ,

 

did the replacement get it on all 6 .?

 

Pete

[daverclasper]

Thanks Pete.

 

Yup. Fired up on all six straightaway and done 150 miles since.

 

I know I can do compression test to point to things, but I'm trying to get in the frame of mind, that it's an old car and running well , so don't get obsessive 

 

Cheers, Dave

[Pete Lewis]

plugs....life and soul of the engine 

    they can fail , its not uncommon even new ones been known to die early  

 

            if the exhaust is a nice burble with no coughs  leave it in peace till you need to do a service

       dont mess about with old unknown plugs , its not worth the bother 

 

Pete

[JohnD]

If cause was faulty plug, all you need is an "Italian tune-up", a blast as fast and hard as you can!

 

If there was another cause, deal with that first, then the "Tune-up".

 

I recommend such "Tune-ups" at least once a week!

 

JOhn

[daverclasper]

Hi and thanks.

 

Would like to take it for a hard blast to clear carbon etc, though concerned something might "let go" as don't have any history of any rebuild type engine work that may have been done in the past.

 

Cheers, Dave 

[Fasterandfuriouser]

If something 'lets go', it needed replacing anyway.

[JohnD]

And I'm not talking 6-7K,just running it up the revs as quick as it will,against so e work, upbhill if poiss. And a few mway miles. No revving tbenuts off!

[daverclasper]

If something 'lets go', it needed replacing anyway.

I think that's subjective.

[GT6M]

IF any damage woud have been done, it would have been to the bores

as the fuel dilution  would ev took the oil covering of the bores.

 

as nee spark /bang to ignite it, it is a.. wash down... sort of actionee on the bores

gon a long way, then rings / bores could have suffered

 

Butt, then agen,it could ev actually removed some  glaze frae the bores,

to could actually be working better on that cyl

All depends on just hoo far it went,or what was needed t,doo damege,or doo it some good

 

M