A misfire in an engine is caused by a buildup of dielectric grease. The grease does not conduct electricity at all, but it coats the inside of the cylinder and causes a spark to jump from one gap to another instead of igniting fuel. This can lead to an uneven firing that causes rough running or even worse problems like backfires.
In order for this problem to occur, there needs to be too much dielectric grease on the engine parts. There are several ways this could happen: if someone was using a solvent which contained dielectric fluid as part of its chemical mix, or if they had been spraying some type of lubricant containing dielectric fluid onto something else and then accidentally sprayed it onto their engine without realizing, or if they tried to clean the engine not knowing about the harmful effects of dielectric grease.
However, there is a way to fix this problem: by simply replacing the part that has been damaged. Sometimes it might be the spark plugs, and others it could be something like a piston ring; either way, parts can be replaced.
What is dielectric grease and how does it cause a misfire in an engine
Dielectric grease is a type of electrolytic fluid that is used for insulating parts in electrical equipment. When it leaks, too much dielectric grease can cause a misfire in an engine.
Reasons a misfire occurs from dielectric grease
When there is too much dielectric grease in an engine, the terminals on the spark plugs can become coated and prevent a spark from happening. This causes a misfire, which leaves black smudges behind on the plug tip. A few other evidence signs of excess dielectric grease in an engine are a burned smell from the exhaust and poor gas mileage.
How to prevent a misfire from dielectric grease
An easy way to avoid a misfire due to too much dielectric grease is by adding a cap of penetrating oil on top of the part that has excess dielectric grease attached to it. When the penetrating oil mixes with the grease, it will thin out enough for a spark to happen again.
Misdiagnoses of dielectric grease misfires
Other reasons that black smudges are found on spark plugs include bad coil packs, faulty fuel injectors, or clogged air filters. If users change these parts, but find that the misfires are still happening, they may need an engine tune-up.
How to fix the problem by replacing the part of the engine that has been damaged
One of the most common ways that dielectric grease can get into your engine is by using “dielectric grease” oil. This is one in the same with oil, but it has dielectric grease added to it. Some other ways that dielectric grease can find its way into your engine are by leaving old equipment around. Before throwing anything out, make sure that all of the fluid has been drained from the part.
Wrapping Up
What is the risk of using dielectric grease in an engine? Put simply, it can cause a misfire. In some cases, too much dielectric grease will lead to a short circuit and could even start a fire! The best approach for avoiding this problem is to use your car’s manual as guidance on how much you should apply.
