Q: Can a misfire cause engine not to start?

asked by on November 23, 2016

I have a cylinder 2 & 4 misfire. I tried to start my truck and a white cloud of smoke came from under the hood and now the engine won't turn over at all. Why won't it start?

My car has 210000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. This sounds like it could be an internal mechanical failure. Were there any other symptoms that started prior to the no start? How long has the check engine light been on with misfire codes stored? That white smoke could be coolant which filled the cylinder and possibly damaged the engine further. Remove the spark plugs and see if the engine will turn over; if there are any abnormal sounds, stop. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to properly assess the situation and avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a car does not start inspection.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I tilt the moonroof?
The moonroof can be tilted to let in a little bit of fresh air. To tilt the moonroof, press the center of the power moonroof switch (located next to the moonroof). Press the center of the switch a second time...
Burning smell from engine
This vehicle does not tend to have many issues with burning smells coming from the engine. The main one that I run across is oil burning on the engine. This is typically caused by an oil filter or oil plug...
I accidentally drained the transmission fluid on my car
It's not at all likely that you damaged the transmission as long as it wasn't started. Technically, you can put the CVT fluid back in, but it needs to be done from the same hole it was drained from. This...
Replace run flat tires
If you have run flat tires on your 2011 BMW 328 xDrive and that is your only restriction, then yes, you can only buy one tire and get away with it. If your vehicle is an all-wheel drive, you would...
I'm on the side of the road, the tension pulley bolt came loose now it won't go back in
Look at the threads to see if the bolt is left hand threads, or standard right hand threads. If the threads are damaged, then use a thread chaser to clean them out. If the pulley bearings seized, it may have...
Shift selenoid "A" electrical P0753
If you did not do so while replacing shift solenoid "A" (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/downshift-solenoid-replacement) (if I am reading your query correctly), disconnect the battery for 10 minutes or so, re-connect the battery, and drive the car for 15-20 minutes. This will reset...
Why do my power windows not work? 2005 Buick Century
Hello. There are several things that can cause this. It can be caused by a bad ground connection or an issue with the circuit breaker that supplies power to this circuit. You would need to used a voltage meter to...
Retainer clip problem on rear end 2003 Dodge Ram 1500
Hi there - while not an epidemic problem, rear ends that are "worked" harder (i.e. trailer towing, off-road, etc.) or simply high mileage such as yours will see this problem. There is enough of a side load on these clips...
2010 Volkswagen Jetta stalls after putting gas after hundred miles no check engine light
Hi there. When a car will start then die, it is usually caused by one of two items. First, existing fuel system components are dirty or clogged with excessive carbon deposits, or one of the components of the EVAP system...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport
The The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport is a brand new vehicle and is an eco-conscious crossover SUV for the environmentally friend consumer. It comes standard with many features, but also has many available options so it can suit any buyer’s...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have Kids
Once Once you have kids, the kind of car you have becomes very important. Suddenly, the amount of space, entertainment features, reliability, safety, and easy to clean interior become the top priorities. Here’s a list of vehicles meant to satisfy...
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars of 2016
Ford F-series pickup trucks, Toyota Camry, and Honda Civic are some of the best-selling cars of 2016 and all deliver on reliability and efficiency.