PT Cruiser Misfire: Common Causes and Repair Costs

I dealt with nearly identical symptoms on my 2003 PT Cruiser GT last year. With some experience working on cars, I recognized the classic signs of fuel delivery problems. The check engine light came on, and diagnosis revealed a faulty fuel injector was causing the cylinder misfire. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, rough running, jerking during acceleration, and reduced power output. After checking spark plugs and ignition coils first (which were fine), the workshop confirmed the fuel injector was not spraying properly. They found carbon buildup had clogged the injector, preventing proper fuel atomization in that cylinder. Total repair cost was 515€ for replacing the defective fuel injector, including parts and labor. The repair completely resolved the misfiring issues and restored normal power and smooth operation. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you share: Have you had the check engine light codes read? Which cylinder is misfiring? When was the last time spark plugs were replaced? Does the problem get worse when the engine is cold or hot? Any unusual sounds or vibrations at specific RPM ranges? This information would help determine if your issue is also injector-related or potentially caused by other components in the ignition system.

Just had the same issue resolved at 121519 KM. The workshop first tested the spark plugs and ignition coils since these are common misfire causes. All plugs showed significant wear, and two ignition coils failed the testing. After replacing all spark plugs and the faulty ignition coils, the rough idle disappeared completely. The engine now runs smoothly without any jerking during acceleration. Total repair cost was 380€. The mechanic mentioned the original spark plugs were well beyond their service interval, which caused the engine misfiring and performance issues. Regular maintenance could have prevented this. Suggest getting the check engine codes read first, this will point directly to which cylinders are misfiring and help narrow down the exact cause.

Good to hear you got it resolved. My PT Cruiser had a very similar repair path, first suspecting the fuel injectors but ultimately tracing it to worn spark plugs and failing ignition coils. The throttle response improvement after replacing those components was remarkable. Engine misfiring issues can be tricky to diagnose since similar symptoms can stem from either ignition or fuel delivery problems. In our cases, the ignition system turned out to be the culprit. The 380€ repair cost seems reasonable considering all the components replaced. My repair was slightly more expensive at 515€ since we initially replaced a fuel injector before identifying the actual issue with the ignition coils and spark plugs. Worth noting for others reading, when multiple cylinders show misfiring symptoms, checking the basic ignition components first often makes the most sense before investigating fuel system issues. The rough running and power loss we both experienced are classic signs of worn spark plugs and failing ignition coils. This really emphasizes the importance of following the maintenance schedule for spark plug replacement. Regular inspection of ignition components can prevent these issues from developing into more serious problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Reading everyone's feedback has been really helpful for understanding these engine misfire issues better. Initially, I was worried about major engine problems, but it turned out to be relatively straightforward with the spark plugs and ignition coils. The check engine light and cylinder misfire symptoms definitely had me concerned, but the actual fix was manageable at 380€. The smoking gun was those original spark plugs being way past their service life. The combustion misfire problems cleared up completely after the repair. For anyone else experiencing similar rough running and jerking during acceleration, getting those diagnostic codes read first really helps pinpoint the problem. In my case, replacing the worn spark plugs and faulty ignition coils completely resolved the issue. Regular maintenance definitely would have prevented this, lesson learned on keeping up with those service intervals. At least the engine is running smoothly now with no more misfiring issues or power loss during acceleration.