What would be a possible cause of an individual cylinder mist detector sensing a high reading?

A high reading from an individual cylinder mist detector could indicate a situation where the line to that particular cylinder is clogged. Mist detectors operate by measuring the mist created by the combustion process and the associated lubricating oil vapor. If the line or the detection mechanism for a specific cylinder is obstructed, it may lead to an inaccurate or elevated reading, suggesting that combustion byproducts aren't being effectively removed or detected. This would create a false sense of alarm regarding the operational condition of that cylinder.

In contrast, overheating the engine, low fuel pressure, or contaminated lubricating oil relate to different operational issues within the engine and tend not to directly cause high readings on the mist detector. While these conditions may still affect overall engine performance and may lead to different types of alarms or indicators, they do not specifically address the mechanism of detection related to the mist from that individual cylinder.