Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
The POWERSTROKE-P0301 (Power Stroke) diesel fault code means: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. This is a serious severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Short distances only
- DIY difficulty
- advanced
- Estimated cost
- $500-$9,000 (piston/liner damage is the worst case)
Down with a Power Stroke fault on the road?
Get connected with a verified mobile diesel mechanic near you. Verified diesel & reefer techs, launching on the freight corridor.
Find a mobile mechanic →A $30 car code reader can't do diesel. The HD7000 reads full-system codes and does parked DPF regen, idle/speed-limit, and service resets from the cab — on everything from a 6.7 Cummins/Power Stroke/Duramax pickup to Class-8 trucks (Detroit, Paccar, CAT, Volvo, Mack, International).
Check Price on AmazonAffiliate link -- we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Full-system 6/9/16-pin diesel scan tool for Cummins, Paccar, CAT, Detroit and more — plug-and-play, no subscription. A cheaper way to read heavy-duty codes a basic OBD2 scanner skips entirely.
Check Price on AmazonAffiliate link -- we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common Symptoms
- Cylinder 1 misfire
- Rough running
- CEL flashing possible
- Vibration at idle
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Cracked piston (6.4L has piston-cracking issues on deleted / over-fueled trucks) Very Likely
- Failed injector (6.4L piezo injectors are expensive) Likely
- Low compression from broken ring or melted piston Possible
- Stuck open injector flooding the cylinder Possible
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
Perform relative compression test via scan tool.
If compression is low on one cylinder, borescope through injector hole or glow plug port.
Check injector balance rates / CCT data.
Replace injectors as a set on 6.4L if multiple cylinders show fueling issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P0301 on a 6.4L Power Stroke?
P0301 on a 6.4L Power Stroke (2008-2010) indicates: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. This is a known diagnostic trouble code on this engine family and typically points to the causes listed above.
Can I drive with P0301 on my Power Stroke?
Only drive short distances to get to a repair facility. Continued operation may cause further damage.
How much does it cost to fix P0301?
Repair cost is typically $500-$9,000 (piston/liner damage is the worst case) depending on the underlying cause and whether you DIY or use a shop. Diagnostic time alone runs $100-$180 at most independent diesel shops.
P0301 on Other Platforms
The same code ID appears across other engines, vehicles, and equipment. Diagnostic flow varies by platform — see the matching breakdown: