Poll: Who is having issues with Spark Plugs?

[Rufus]

Well, he has posted abot an issue with violently jerking, sounds more like a transmission related issue and not ignition.
I personally drive a 3.3 and so far the 3.3 stock have not reported any problems with spark plugs.

Ah, interesting! Thanks for the input! I expected some birthing pains being a 1st gen of a new model, and all of us benefit from members posting not only their issues, but also reactions/impressions from other members. Thanks again!

 

[Steven Ruiz]

I have not ,but I

I see in another forum thread you are having it examined...at the dealership, yes? If so, have you informed them of the plug/coil issue being experienced by other members? The issue may not yet be known to those outside of these boards...

Will be calling today

 

[Steven Ruiz]

Well, he has posted abot an issue with violently jerking, sounds more like a transmission related issue and not ignition.
I personally drive a 3.3 and so far the 3.3 stock have not reported any problems with spark plugs.

The ones having spark plug problems ,how many miles on them. Mine only has 3500 miles on it ,so you can say I am not a happy camper

 

[robz32]

I have 2k miles and counting on mine. Also form you posts, it looks like you have a 2.0, I have a 3.3 so not really a good comparison as most spark plug related issues are coming form 3.3 owners with chipped cars. Also your issue seems more related to transmission rather than ignition.
Keep us posted.

 

[Steven Ruiz]

They are replacing the fuel pump now, we will see how it goes. Fingers crossed

 

[Kamauxx]

Great poll. Confirms what I had thought.

What I think is this whole infamous issue of STOCK 3.3 cars having spark plug/coil issues was fabricated by an unnamed vendor looking to save face because a product he sells is breaking people's cars.

 

[Kamauxx]

They are replacing the fuel pump now, we will see how it goes. Fingers crossed

Good luck. Let us know.

 

[Rufus]

@Bryan2.0 , @Marty17 --You guys are running the Lap3 chip, correct? Have you guys experienced any issues with It? I know you both own 2.0 Stingers, but any real world updates would no doubt be much appreciated!!!

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

@Kamauxx just because all issues arent reported on a forum doesnt mean they dont happen.

Think about this, most people that are interested in modding their car are more likely to be on a forum wouldnt you think? Especially on a new car.

Those that are just regular consumers that never get on a forum but are stock and having issues never get reported on any forum but gets reported to KIA. You make the assumption that because its not reported on here it's fact and all issues are with the product which is not true.

I know where you stand and I've argued enough with you but I'd like to point out that what you're stating is your opinion and it's not a fact as much as you'd like to push your opinion as it's fact.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

@Bryan2.0 , @Marty17 --You guys are running the Lap3 chip, correct? Have you guys experienced any issues with It? I know you both own 2.0 Stingers, but any real world updates would no doubt be much appreciated!!!

We are happy to report that we haven't had any issues with customers using the Lap3 chip with a 2.0T or 3.3T using upgraded plugs

 

[Kamauxx]

I'd like to point out that what you're stating is your opinion and it's not a fact

Yes, Tink Tink. That's why I said "what I think".

I think an unnamed vendor is trying to push a narrative that 3.3t Stingers have faulty plugs/coils because an unnamed vendor doesn't want to own the fact that said unnamed vendor told customers not to upgrade their plugs and when said customers (50% of them based on the poll from the other site) ended up with broken cars that unnamed vendor changed his (or her) tune (no pun intended) and decided "oh wait, actually LAP3 just informed me that the plugs DO in fact need to be changed."

That vendor thinks we're all idiots who will just believe anything she (or he) says. GTFOH unnamed vendor.

Edit: Ya know what? Since that unmamed vendor (oh hell, let's just call him "Liar @ L7 Kia Shop" for shits and giggles) swears this is a known issue with Kias across the country I'm going to call a bunch of service departments along the east coast tomorrow and see if any have reported the issue. I'm even going to call the dealers local to Liar @ L7 Kia Shop. Let's see, that'll be Hendrick Kia of Cary, Fred Andersen Kia, Deacon Jones Kia, Chris Leith Kia, University Kia, and a few others.

I'm sure since Liar @ L7 Kia Shop says he's been in contact with dealerships around the country who are reporting plug/coil issues ONE of those would have heard of it.

I'll report back my findings and maybe Sal can put them in the original post to go along with what we already see in the poll.

Good night unnamed vendor, whoever you are.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Yes, Tink Tink. That's why I said "what I think".

I think an unnamed vendor is trying to push a narrative that 3.3t Stingers have faulty plugs/coils because an unnamed vendor doesn't want to own the fact that said unnamed vendor told customers not to upgrade their plugs and when said customers (50% of them based on the poll from the other site) ended up with broken cars that unnamed vendor changed his (or her) tune (no pun intended) and decided "oh wait, actually LAP3 just informed me that the plugs DO in fact need to be changed."

That vendor thinks we're all idiots who will just believe anything she (or he) says. GTFOH unnamed vendor.

Those are some bold statements there.

Facts are there was a small isolated issue with a couple (2-3) customers that was corrected. Normally manufactures need more than just a few customer issues to make any changes.

The thing is we take our products seriously and take any potential problems VERY seriously! That’s why we took swift action to find a soltion in a matter of days!

We’ve been working with Korean cars for over 4 years for a reason. We take care of our customers and do so with a smile

 

[Kamauxx]

Those are some bold statements there.

Facts are there was a small isolated issue with a couple (2-3) customers that was corrected. Normally manufactures need more than just a few customer issues to make any changes.

The thing is we take our products seriously and take any potential problems VERY seriously! That’s why we took swift action to find a soltion in a matter of days!

We’ve been working with Korean cars for over 4 years for a reason. We take care of our customers and do so with a smile

That's awesome, but I wasn't even talking about you.

Good night.

 

[Aquadog]

Same here. And in another poll out of 53 people that participated in the poll not a single person reported having any issues with a stock car.

Every single person that reported issues said their car was/is chipped. Every. Single. One.

View attachment 4318

Is this problem being caused by just one chip manufacture or several ?

 

[robz32]

Is this problem being caused by just one chip manufacture or several ?

So far people using the LAP3 chips are the ones reporting problems.

 

[Larry Denen]

So far people using the LAP3 chips are the ones reporting problems.

So if you buy the LAP3 chip, you need upgraded spark plugs. Is that all?

 

[Aquadog]

So far people using the LAP3 chips are the ones reporting problems.

Thank you just wanted to know what to steer clear of .

 

[robz32]

So if you buy the LAP3 chip, you need upgraded spark plugs. Is that all?

No real answer to that yet. As the coils were also failing, but that could be due to the spark plugs failing first.

The real solution is correcting whatever mapping they have set on that chip for the 3.3 engine. Thankfully other companies have caught on and are about to release their chips.

 

[Killian]

I’ve also just started having problems with mine at 3.5k miles. It feels like an obvious intermittent misfire under mid throttle. Maybe we should abandon the lap3 product?

I was happy with the chip. But when I ordered it the website said nothing about upgraded plugs. And now I’ve got to take it in to be repaired.

Maybe I’ll just toss it in the can. Don’t want this to keep happening. From what other people are saying, there are safer options out there now.

 

[jdouga]

I’ve also just started having problems with mine at 3.5k miles. It feels like an obvious intermittent misfire under mid throttle. Maybe we should abandon the lap3 product?

I was happy with the chip. But when I ordered it the website said nothing about upgraded plugs. And now I’ve got to take it in to be repaired.

Maybe I’ll just toss it in the can. Don’t want this to keep happening. From what other people are saying, there are safer options out there now.

I'm not gonna go and accuse anyone of snything just give my opinion, I had a 2014 sonata 2.0t with the lap3 chip, and it misfired and knocked like crazy, as soon as it came off it went away, now I used the upgraded spark plugs and an oil catch can while it was doing this. I was told to use it at the lowest octane setting but still with the highest octane fuel i could find. That being said when it worked it worked great, but I gave it up for a real tune because it was too much risk involved, had coils, spark plugs and 2 engines replaced while using it(i know there was a recall on those engines but still). I have personally only read of the 3.3tt engines haveing issues with the chip, however when and of you nod your car you're doing it at your own risk, I'd just rather wait a little longer for something better.