How do u know how many cilinders your running on?

[McWatters]

How do u actually know how many cylinders your running on???

cheers

J.McWatters

[joshua43214]

Is this a trick question?

Any experienced tech can tell you exactly how many cylinders its running on by laying their hand on the engine. They can tell you what the RPM is too fairly accurately.

Are you suspecting a mifsire?

My car says V8 in the owners manuel, so I run on 8.

[fujioko]

If you suspect the car is not firing on all the cylinders, here is a very simple method to check.

Make sure the engine is stone cold (let it sit over night). Start the engine and let it run for 15 to 30 seconds. Shut it off.

Now the dangerous part… Lick you finger and touch each of the exhaust manifold pipes. A six cylinder has six short pipes. A V8 has four pipes on the right and four on the left.
Since there wasn’t enough time for the exhaust manifolds to get significantly hot or to sink heat.. you can feel the difference (if any) The runners should all be the same temp. A cool pipe indicates a dead cylinder.

Or just pay a mechanic to check.

[Alexlind123]

Make sure the mechanic is operating on all pistons.

[Jon K]

or just unplug your coil/spark plug wire until you do not hear a change in idle

[Qube]

Wouldn't she throw a code if not running on all?

[Paul in NZ]

if you are running on five or even have a bad misfire you know about it.

[Nick.Hay]

Mines only running on 5... and it feels HORRIBLE!!! I don't drive it now til the plug leads get replaced.

[Paul in NZ]

i know nick.Once after sitting for about 2 weeks my car ran horribly for the first 10 minutes,almost cutting out when on trailing throttle missing badly on accelleration,then when accellerating onto the motorway,it went onto five...no power a couple of backfires,then away...after an italian tune up she was sweet,and on the way homeit was absolutely fine!

[Nick.Hay]

My leads are cactus... A dealership guy looked at it and found that one plug was arcing out. Its been an issue previously, coz one other lead had insulation tape wrapped around it!! And the best part of $1400 AUD for the genuine bits... I can see why. Luckily there is a non genuine option... $350AUD

[mamilapon]

You can also pull all the plugs out and check which one is wet.