Cylinder misfires make the engine less powerful and faster. If you see P0306 Code, don’t ignore it because one bad cylinder can slow down your ride.
Here, we’ll talk about all the most common reasons why cylinder 6 misfires and how to fix the P0306 code.
What Does the Error P0306 Code Mean?
When the ECM (engine control module) finds a mistake on cylinder number 6 then Sends P0306 Code.
If cylinder number 6 misfires, it means that the mixing of air and fuel in that cylinder did not catch fire. Because of this, the engine’s speed changes, which changes the data from the crankshaft position sensor. This picks up by the ECM, which records a misfire in that cylinder.
Signs of Error P0306 Code
There are usually some clear signs that come with a P0306 code error number. These are the ones that stand out:
Lighting up or flashing Check it out The engine Feeling light
Uneven or jerky speeding up
Not enough engine power
Idle rough
Car won’t start Weird smell coming from the engine’s exhaust
What Could Cause Error P0306 Code?
The error number P0306 can be caused by a lot of different things, but these are the most common ones.
Faulty Spark Plug—The bad spark plug might not fire right in cylinder 6 because the wiring is cracked or dirty.
Ignition Coil Fault – If the ignition coil has cracks in the shielding or an open circuit, it may not fire cylinder number 6.
Worn or broken spark plug wire—If a spark plug or plug boot is leaking spark to the ground, cylinder number 6 might not fire.
A valve cover that leaks oil into the spark plug holes could cause the spark plug firing for cylinder number 6 to short out.
A misfire can happen when there is low air in the cylinder, which can be caused by broken valves or rings.
Fuel Injector Clogged, Dirty, or Broken—A failure can happen when there isn’t enough fuel in the cylinder. Low air in the cylinders is caused by a broken fuel injector.
Is Code P0306 Serious?
It is unsafe to drive with a cylinder that isn’t firing right. When there is a mistake in cylinder number 6, the engine runs too rich, which hurts the catalyst. It also changes the way your engine works, making it take longer to speed up and using more gas.
DTC P0306 is not something to ignore; it needs to be fixed right away. If you ignore this code, you could hurt your catalytic converter, which costs a lot more to replace than it does to fix a misfiring cylinder.
How Much it Costs to Fix Code P0306?
There are a few different parts that need to be fixed in order to fix code P0306. We’ll talk about how much each part costs, but keep in mind that labor costs usually range from $80 to $140 an hour, based on where you live and which repair shop you choose.
Plug for Spark
It’s pretty simple to fix if your spark plugs are giving you trouble. Spark plugs can range anywhere from $8 to $20 each, based on the type and brand. It shouldn’t take more than an hour of work to change a spark plug.
Ignition Coil
A broken ignition coil is another common problem that can lead to code P0306. These coils cost between $50 and $150, and it takes about an hour of work to replace one.
Wires for Spark Plugs
Do not forget about the spark plug wires. They might be causing the misfire if they’re old or broken. Sets of spark plug wires can cost anywhere from $20 to $75. It should take about an hour of work to replace them.
Valve Cover
If the gasket on the valve cover leaks, oil can get into the spark plug tubes and cause the engine to fail. These days, valve cover gaskets cost between $25 and $75, and this fix will take a couple of hours of work.
Not very tight
The Coder P0306 can also be caused by low compression in the cylinder. To fix this problem, the engine may need work that can be very pricey. It’s best to have a mechanic figure out what’s wrong because the cost of fixes depends on how many are needed.
Injector for fuel
Last but not least, the failure could be caused by a broken fuel injector. It can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 to get new fuel injectors. It usually takes about an hour of work to replace a fuel injector.
How to Fix the P0306 Code
You will need to look into all of the above reasons to fix this problem. Following these steps will help you fix a P0306 error code.
Finding the cause of Error P0306 Code
First, look for any harm in the connectors and wiring harness. To get all the error codes and freeze frame info, you should use a good OBD2 scanner. With this knowledge, quickly look over the fuel injector, ignition coils, and wiring that goes with them.
Check for any wire that is broken or has loose connections. To find out if that is the problem, take out the ignition coil and put it on a different cylinder. To see if the problem comes back, clear the engine and ETC codes and then try the car on the road.
Check the spark plug out by looking at it. Find any signs of damage or buildup and replace them if needed. Try moving the spark plug to a different cylinder and seeing if the failure goes away. In the event that the ignition system is not the issue, look for any pressure leaks in the number 6 cylinder.
To see if there is anything there, you might need to use a scan tool to look up the fuel trim parameter IDs (PID). To look for vacuum leaks, you can also use a smoke machine or a gas torch that isn’t lit.
Next, check the fuel pump for cylinder number 6 to see if there are any leaks. Problems with the mechanics are likely to be the cause of the problems that have been found so far.
Do a compression and leak-down test to be sure. Watch out for a broken valve spring, a carbonized or burned valve, a damaged piston, a worn camshaft lobe, or worn piston rings.
Another Reason for Error Code P0306
Fix the problem with the help of the data from the tests. Check to see if the spark plugs and ignition coil in the cylinder are fine. If they are working properly, the misfires could be caused by something else nearby.
Cylinder number 6 might be having trouble with compression because the rings and valves are broken. Check to see if the valve cover is leaking oil and the oil is moving through the spark plug holes. No matter what the problem is, it needs to be fixed right away. Things will get worse over time if you wait too long.
