P0316 A misfire was detected during the first 1,000 engine revolutions after start-up

Misfire detected on startup (first 1000 revolutions)

P0316 in short

P0316 means one or more cylinders misfired in the first 1,000 revolutions after start-up. Common causes are worn plugs or coils, moisture and fuel problems; on Ford 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines, coolant leaking into a cylinder is a documented cause. Get it inspected soon; stop if coolant drops or white smoke appears.

The engine computer watches crankshaft speed for the small slowdowns a misfire causes. P0316 is a time-stamped version of that check: it sets when misfires are counted during the first 1,000 crankshaft revolutions after start-up, which is roughly the first 30-60 seconds. It is usually stored with P0300 or a cylinder code such as P0301 that tells you which cylinder.

Misfires right after start-up point at things that are worst when cold or after sitting: plugs and coils that struggle with cold, damp conditions, injectors, and fluid that has leaked into a cylinder overnight.

Ford has bulletins where P0316 is the warning sign of coolant entering a cylinder on 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines (with low coolant and white smoke), water in the spark plug wells on the Ranger, and cold-start calibration issues on the Focus ST, Escape and Bronco Sport.

Most likely causes

  1. Worn spark plugs or weak ignition coils

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Ignition parts are the most common misfire cause and are weakest on a cold, damp start.
    What would change this
    Rises if the misfire stays on one cylinder and follows a swapped coil or plug.
    How to test the spark plug

  2. Coolant leaking into a cylinder (Ford 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford bulletins and a satisfaction program list P0316 with low coolant, white smoke and rough running on 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines, fixed with a new short block or long block.
    What would change this
    Rises sharply if the coolant level drops without an outside leak or there is white smoke at start-up.

  3. Water in the spark plug wells corroding ignition parts (2019-2021 Ranger)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford found water build-up in the plug wells on the Ranger causing P0300-P0304 and P0316.
    What would change this
    Rises if the plug wells hold water or coils show corrosion.
    How to test the ignition coil

  4. Cold-start calibration or plug specification (Focus ST, 2023-2025 Escape and Bronco Sport)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford has bulletins for P0316 on the Focus ST with coolant below 49 C and on the Escape and Bronco Sport after an overnight cold soak.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code only appears on cold mornings with no other fault.

  5. Fuel injector or fuel quality problem

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Injector leaks, poor spray or bad fuel cause misfires that show most at start-up.
    What would change this
    Rises if fuel trims are off on one bank or the misfire does not follow a swapped coil.
    How to test the fuel injector

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. With the engine cold, check the coolant level in the reservoir and look for white smoke at start-up.

    Low riskTool: visual check

    • IfCoolant is low with no visible outside leak, or there is white smoke

      It meansSuspect coolant entering a cylinder; stop driving and have a shop test it.

      Go to step 4

    • IfCoolant is full and there is no smoke

      It meansFind which cylinder misfires.

      Go to step 2

  2. Read codes and misfire counters with a scan tool and note which cylinder misfires and whether it happens only on cold starts.

    Low riskTool: scan tool

  3. Swap the coil (and plug if easy) from the misfiring cylinder to another cylinder, clear codes and cold-start again.

    Use cautionTool: basic hand tools

    Warning:Engine off and cool; ignition coils carry high voltage when running. Do not pull coils with the engine running.

  4. Have a shop run a cooling system pressure test, a combustion leak (block) test and a cylinder leak-down test.

    Best left to a shopTool: pressure tester, block tester

    Warning:Never open a hot cooling system; pressurised coolant can scald. Leave pressure and leak-down tests to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Rough running for the first minute after a cold start
  • Check engine light on
  • Coolant level dropping or white exhaust smoke Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Flashing check engine light Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Car shaking with the check engine light on, Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2014–2019 · 1.5L EcoBoost

    Supported by vehicle data

    On 1.5L EcoBoost Escape (2017-2019) and Fusion (2014-2019), P0316 with falling coolant or white smoke matches the coolant intrusion bulletins and program; the fix is a short block. Stop driving if coolant keeps dropping.

  • 2015–2019 · 2.0L EcoBoost

    Supported by vehicle data

    On 2.0L EcoBoost Edge, Fusion and Escape (2015-2019), Ford lists the same coolant intrusion pattern and replaces the long block.

  • 2019–2021 · Ranger

    Supported by vehicle data

    On the 2019-2021 Ranger, check the spark plug wells for water and corroded coils.

  • 20-2100Status unverified

    1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion: low coolant, white smoke, rough running, P0300-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285, P1299

    2014–2019escape, fusion · 1.5L EcoBoost · issued · NHTSA 10174400

    Coolant enters a cylinder on 1.5L EcoBoost Fusion (2014-2019) and Escape (2017-2019); replace the short block and head gasket. Supersedes 19-2139; later revisions exist.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21N12Status unverified

    Customer satisfaction program: 1.5L short block replacement after coolant intrusion

    2017–2019escape, fusion · 1.5L EcoBoost · issued · NHTSA 10213732

    Program covering short block replacement on 2017-2019 Fusion and Escape 1.5L with the coolant intrusion symptoms and codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 19-2172Status unverified

    2.0L EcoBoost coolant intrusion: low coolant, white smoke, rough running, P0300-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285, P1299

    2015–2019edge, fusion, escape · 2.0L EcoBoost · issued · NHTSA 10162062

    Replace the long block on 2015-2018 Edge and 2015-2019 Fusion and Escape 2.0L; also covers Lincoln MKZ and MKC. Later revisions exist.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-2147Status unverified

    P0300-P0304 and/or P0316 from water in the spark plug wells

    2019–2021ranger · issued · NHTSA 10198581

    Water build-up in the plug wells corrodes ignition parts; fix the source of all codes and install an engine appearance cover.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 18-2093Status unverified

    Misfire and/or P0300/P0316 with coolant below 49 C (Focus ST)

    2015–2018focus · issued · NHTSA 10137073

    Service procedure for misfire on cold starts on the Focus ST; the NHTSA summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 25-2133Status unverified

    MIL with P0300 and P0316 after an overnight cold soak

    2023–2025escape, bronco-sport · issued · NHTSA 11016933

    Bulletin for start-up misfire codes after the car sits overnight; the NHTSA summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Lincoln

  • P0300Random or multiple-cylinder misfire detected

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P0300 (random misfire) is usually stored with P0316; together they say the misfire began at start-up.

  • P0301Misfire detected in cylinder 1

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    A cylinder-specific code such as P0301 often appears with P0316 and tells you which cylinder to test first.

  • P0217The engine computer has detected an engine over-temperature condition

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford lists P0316 with P0217 (engine over-temperature) when coolant leaks into a cylinder on 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines.

  • P1299Ford and Lincoln: cylinder head over-temperature protection is active (the engine computer's fail-safe cooling mode)

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    On Ford EcoBoost engines P1299 (cylinder head over-temperature protection) with P0316 is part of the coolant intrusion pattern.

  • P1285Cylinder head temperature above the engine computer’s limit (Ford, Lincoln, Ford-built Mazda)

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford's 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost coolant intrusion bulletins list P0316 with P1285, P1299 and P0300-P0304, along with low coolant and white smoke.

All Misfire codes

P0316 questions

Why does P0316 only show up on cold starts?

The code only counts misfires in the first 1,000 revolutions after start-up. Parts that struggle when cold or damp, fluid that leaked into a cylinder overnight, and some cold-start calibrations all show up then and fade once the engine warms.

Is P0316 a sign of a head gasket or coolant leak?

It can be. On Ford 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines, P0316 with dropping coolant or white smoke matches bulletins for coolant leaking into a cylinder. Check the coolant level when cold and stop driving if it keeps falling.

Sources and review

  1. P0316 Code: Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions) — CarParts.com Research Team (reviewed by an ASE Master Technician)
  2. Cal. Code Regs. tit. 13, § 1968.2 - Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  3. Ford TSB 20-2100: Coolant intrusion on 1.5L EcoBoost - low coolant, white smoke, rough running, P0300-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285, P1299 — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  4. 2001 Lincoln Continental Owner's Guide - Warning lights (Check engine) — Ford Motor Company
  5. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: Indicator, Coming On/Blinking — American Honda Motor Co.
  6. Ford TSB 19-2172: Coolant intrusion on 2.0L EcoBoost - low coolant, white smoke, rough running, P0300-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285, P1299 — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  7. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: How to Handle Overheating — American Honda Motor Co.
  8. How To Diagnose & Repair Engine Misfires — AA1Car.com (Larry Carley, automotive technical writer)
  9. Ford customer satisfaction program 21N12: 1.5L short block replacement after coolant intrusion — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  10. Ford TSB 21-2147: P0300-P0304 and/or P0316 from water in the spark plug wells — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  11. Ford TSB 18-2093: Misfire and/or P0300/P0316 with coolant below 49 C (120 F), Focus ST — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  12. Ford TSB 25-2133: MIL with P0300 and P0316 after an overnight cold soak — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  13. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U, 2.5L A25A-FKS / 3.5L 2GR-FKS) — Toyota
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Written by
Saurabh K.
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