Fix P0316: Mechanic’s solutions that WORKED

The P0316 is one of several misfire codes that are most commonly seen on Ford vehicles, but this guide will teach you how to solve this cause and deal with misfires in general on any other vehicle and car brand.

You don’t want to delay fixing your P0316 as the misfire will damage your catalytic converters or engine internals. Both of these fixes are priced at thousands of dollars while the misfire is often caused by a worn-out $5 spark plug. Fix it ASAP.

P0316 quick overview

Meaning	P0316: Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)
Is it serious?	Yes, this code is serious as it indicates an engine misfire occurring right at startup, which can lead to significant engine damage and catalytic converter failure if not addressed promptly.
Possible causes	-Worn or faulty spark plugs -Faulty ignition coils -Vacuum leaks -Clogged or leaking fuel injectors -Low battery voltage or faulty electrical connections -Faulty crankshaft position sensor -Timing issues
How to diagnose?	Perform a Swap Test: Swap spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors between cylinders to see if the misfire follows a specific component. Check for Vacuum Leaks: Perform a smoke test on the intake system to identify any vacuum leaks, which are a common cause of startup misfires. Inspect the Ignition System: Check the spark plugs and ignition coils for wear or damage and replace them if necessary. Test Fuel Pressure: Ensure the fuel system is providing consistent pressure; low pressure can cause a lean condition leading to a misfire. Perform a Compression Test: If no other issues are found, perform a compression test to check for internal engine damage, such as a faulty valve or piston ring.

Case study: real cases of solving P0316

The code P0316 is apparently showing up mostly on Ford because I could hardly find a service report from other car brands. Here are several examples of solving the P0316 on different Fords.

How to fix P0316 on Ford

Car: 2003 Ford Ranger XL 2.3L
Problem: Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on, P0304, P0316

Fix: Ford also showed Ford specific code P2004- intake runner control stuck open bank 1 and spark plug/ignition coil replacement by technician did not help. There was a vacuum leak in the air intake, which he discovered with a smoke test.

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Car: 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty FX4 5.4L Misfire
Problem: P0012, P0300, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316

Fix: The issue seemed to be affecting the whole bank so the technician assumed it wouldn’t be valve issues but also probably not the timing issue because they could affect another bank as well. Ignition and spark plugs were tested OK, the fix was done by changing the VCT solenoid.

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Car: 2003 Ford F-150 XLT 4.6L
Problem: P0016, P0304, P0316, P0401

Fix: This is a pretty unusual combination of codes for a misfire because there was a correlation code (possibly an issue with timing) and also EGR code combined with misfire #4 and misfire on startup. But starting with the spark proved to be the most effective solution and coil change for cylinder #4 solved the issue.

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Car: 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L
Problem: P0301, P0316

Fix: The technician started by observing the live data. The fuel trim for bank 1 seemed to be a little off (+11%) while bank 2 had a fuel trim value of -4%, possibly indicating some vacuum leak. The technician tried to do full fuel system flush, without any effect on fuel trims. A smoke test detected an air intake leak.

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Car: 2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty FX4 5.4L Misfire
Problem: P0012, P0300, P0304, P0316

Fix: The issue was again misfire and fuel trims way of healthy limit (+15%), indicating the vacuum leak and smoke test confirmed this theory. Fixed by repairing the vacuum leak.

The key takeaways from studies I’ve done

• Never change the catalytic converter before solving the misfire, it will get damaged again costing you a lot of money
• Always diagnose first, then change parts. You can follow my diagnostic process and solve most of the misfire issues before randomly replacing different parts