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P0316 Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)

The engine misfired during the first few seconds after a cold start, then cleaned up once it was running.

Misfire & ignition

The ECU runs a separate misfire check over the first 1000 crankshaft revolutions after startup, because cold-start conditions hide faults that disappear as the engine warms. P0316 is that check failing. It usually arrives with a companion code — a P0301-P0308 naming the cylinder, or a P0300 — and the companion is the one that tells you where to look.

Diagnose P0316 on your specific vehicle Add your year, make and model for ranked causes, repair videos and the exact parts you need

Can I keep driving?

Driveable

Generally yes, and the car will often feel completely normal once warm. That is exactly why people ignore it — but the underlying fault does not improve on its own.

How serious

Moderate. On its own it rarely leaves you stranded, but it is often the earliest warning of a fault that will get worse, and cold-start misfire is hard on the catalytic converter.

Symptoms you'll notice

What causes P0316

Ordered by what to check first — how likely each cause is, weighed against what it costs to rule out. Working down the list in order is what stops you replacing an expensive part to fix a cheap problem.

01

Leaking fuel injector

An injector that seeps overnight floods its cylinder, so the first firing events after startup are too rich to burn. The classic cold-start-only misfire, and it usually names one cylinder in a companion code.

02

Weak ignition coil or worn plug

Cold, dense, damp mixture is the hardest thing a spark has to light. A coil that is marginal but adequate when warm fails exactly here.

03

Loss of fuel-rail pressure overnight

A failing check valve in the fuel pump or a leaking pressure regulator lets rail pressure bleed off while parked, so the first seconds run lean until the pump catches up.

04

Valve-seat or piston-ring leakage

Low compression shows up worst when cold, before metal expands into its running clearances. Suspect this on a high-mileage engine that also burns oil.

05

Carbon buildup on intake valves

Common on direct-injection engines, where no fuel washes the back of the valve. Deposits soak up cold fuel and lean out the first firings.

How to diagnose it

  1. Read every stored code, not just this one. A companion P0301-P0308 identifies the cylinder and makes the rest of the diagnosis specific.
  2. Pull the plug from the named cylinder shortly after a cold start and look for it being wet with fuel — that points straight at a leaking injector.
  3. Check whether fuel-rail pressure holds after shutdown, or bleeds down overnight.
  4. Run a cold compression test if the engine has high mileage or uses oil.

Parts you might need

Tools for the job

Related trouble codes

Get the parts list for your vehicle Ranked causes, tutorials and live part prices for your exact year, make and model

Fitment matters. Causes and parts above are the common cases for P0316 across vehicles. The specific part numbers, procedures and torque specs vary by year, make, model and engine — always confirm against service data for your vehicle before buying parts or starting work.