In the metro of Dubai, which sees extreme heat, dust, and heavy traffic that put each car to the test, engine performance is key. What is also very frustrating for drivers and at the same time a very misunderstood issue, is engine misfire. It begins slowly – your car may start to shake, lose power when you step on the gas, or the check engine light may come on. But what does it all mean? An engine misfires is a much larger issue than a passing hiccup; if left unattended, it may cause in-depth engine damage and expensive repairs.

Let us look at what an engine misfires is, what causes it, and what can be done to repair and prevent it in Dubai’s tough driving conditions.

What Is an Engine Misfire?

An issue of misfire presents itself when one or more of your cylinders do not fire properly. This imbalance breaks up your engine’s flow, which in turn causes it to run rough or lose power. According to the severity, you may see rough idling, poor response to the pedal, or a shaking noise from the engine as you drive. In today’s cars, a misfire will set the check engine light, which in turn alerts the driver that there is a problem.

In a metropolis like Dubai that has some very high-speed highways and stop-and-go urban traffic, even minor misfires are an issue, which, from a safety standpoint, may be a concern, which is why timely diagnosis and repair are of great importance.

Common Causes of Engine Misfires in Dubai

Ignition Coil Issues

In many cases, what we see is that the cause of the misfire is a faulty ignition coil. In Dubai’s hot summer climate, electronic components, such as those which include ignition coils, are at greater risk of overheating or short-circuiting. When an ignition coil goes out, it is no longer able to put out the required voltage to the spark plug, which in turn results in incomplete combustion.

If in the course of driving you notice your car to be losing power at random times, or to slow down when you step on the gas, or if your check engine light comes on and then goes off for no reason, it may be an issue with the ignition coils.

Spark Plug Damage

Spark plugs are the elements that ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. As they age, spark plugs wear out, develop carbon buildup, or crack from overheating. In Dubai, which has lots of stop-and-go traffic and high engine temperatures, spark plug failure is a common cause of engine misfires.

A problem with bad spark plugs, which is a common issue, manifests itself through jerky movement during acceleration or engine vibration at idle.

Less Obvious Causes That Lead to Misfires

While it is true that ignition coils and spark plugs are the usual causes of engine misfires, we also see other, less obvious issues that do the same. For instance, we have fuel injectors that are malfunctioning, which in turn disrupt the fuel supply to the cylinder, thus creating a lean mix and poor combustion. Also, we see very often in Dubai’s dusty climate, vacuum leaks, which play up the air-to-fuel ratio, which is also a result of worn-out rubber hoses.

However, engine timing issues play themselves out when the timing belt or chain wears out, causing the internal components to not work in unison, which in turn causes rough performance. Also, we have sensor failures, mainly in the mass airflow sensor or crankshaft position sensor, that send out wrong signals to the ECU, which in turn confuses the ignition system, and we see misfires. Identifying these root causes is key to an accurate diagnosis and long-term repair.

Why Engine Misfires Are Dangerous in Dubai Conditions

In the UAE, which includes the city of Dubai, cars are put under great stress by the weather, which is very hot, by high speeds, which are the norm, and also by very dry, dusty air. When you have a misfire issue in the engine, it does what it can to make up for it, which in turn uses more fuel and produces more emissions. In luxury and performance cars, which are very popular in Dubai, the issue of misfire can cause quick damage, which may lead to failure of the catalytic converter or total engine damage.

Also, rough idling and vibration from misfires cause transmission strain and poor driving comfort, which is more noticeable during highway driving or AC load.

How to Fix Engine Misfires the Right Way

At We Fix Car, we tell our customers that they should never ignore signs of an engine misfire. We take a methodical approach to diagnosis, which includes a scan of the onboard computer (OBD-II system) for trouble codes and also a physical and technical inspection of the ignition components.

In the case of a faulty ignition coil, we replace it and check the voltage to see that the system is back to normal. For damaged spark plugs, we use high-quality plugs that are suitable for Dubai’s hot climate, which in turn gives you better performance and longer life.

In which in-depth issues present themselves, like that of fuel injector clog or vacuum leaks, we do pressure tests and smoke diagnostics to identify the issue. We then put in the proper repair, test out the vehicle, and reset all warning lights.

We at this garage only use trusted parts and our team, which is very trained to work on European, American, and Japanese car brands, which is what makes us Dubai’s most trusted garage for engine misfires.

Preventive Maintenance Tips to Avoid Engine Misfires

Prevention is always better than repair — in fact, it is with issues of misfires that this is so. We put forth that regular maintenance is the key to the avoidance of these issues. At We Fix Car, we recommend annual service, which for most cars is every 10,000 km, a spark plug check-up at 20,000 to 30,000 km, and regular engine diagnostic checks. In climates like that of Dubai, which is very dusty, we also see to it that air filters are checked often to avoid issues with air flow.

By keeping up a regular check-up schedule and at the first sign of issues like rough idling or acceleration lag, taking care of them immediately, you can save on future repairs.

Drive Smooth in Dubai with We Fix Car

When it comes to engine misfires, action is required right away. If you are experiencing vibration, a loss of power, or your car is acting up under the hood, do not delay until it breaks down. We Fix Car is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment and very experienced mechanics to determine and fix your engine misfire issues.

Visit today as we do quick scans, provide reliable repairs, and also give you expert advice for your car’s performance in the UAE. Don’t wait for that little spark to turn into a large engine issue. We at We Fix Car will keep your engine running smoothly in Dubai’s tough climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What to look for in a misfiring car?

Sure signs are of a rough idle, shake during acceleration, poor fuel economy, and a check engine light that comes on.

Q2: Do I have to drive with an engine misfires?

It is not advised. When you have a misfire in your engine, take it to the shop before it damages the catalytic converter and leaves you with an expensive repair.

Q3: What is the price of fixing an engine misfires in Dubai?

Costs of repair work will depend on the issue at hand. For simple repairs like that of the spark plugs, we see lower prices, but issues related to fuel injectors or sensors will be more extensive. For a free quote, contact us at We Fix Car.

Q4: In what interval should I get spark plugs replaced in Dubai?

In Dubai, which is a city with a certain climate, we see that it is best to get your spark plugs checked or replaced at intervals of 20,000 to 30,000 km, which will depend on your driving habits.

Q5: Does heat cause more engine misfires?

Yes, also we see that extreme heat will wear out ignition parts like coils, and make fuel to vaporize too quickly, which in turn causes misfires.