New Short Engine Block

[Brichinelo]

Car is at the dealership being diagnosed as we speak. Only mods are lap3 1.5 ecu tune, Afe intakes, and custom exhaust. Long story short I believe I purchased a stinger that had some engine modifications done to it and the owner might have not wanted to put the money into it. The ecu bracket was sitting crooked in the car when first trying to install my afe intakes when I first got the car. First big red flag. 19 stinger gt used with about 30k miles when purchased. Second big red flag that went wrong or I noticed and some local guys was the turbos. Dealership did not want to pay stating it was wear and tear that has causd one of the turbines to be chewed up and something had possibly got in there. Had those replaced through local guys and car is running good. Recently involved in a fender bender and had to get the whole front bumper replaced, drop bar, and intercooler through insurance . Got the car back from the body shop and I’m making no boost . They didnt tighten down the clamps on the charge pipe so took it out to my performance shop and they tightened everything down. Friday night on the way home with the wifey from dinner and all I see is a cloud of white smoke in the rear view mirror. Start to smell it in the cabin as well. Pull over to a gas station and car is still smoking. Pop the hood and oil is leaking in the engine bay. Had it towed on Saturday and swapped out the lap3 ecu tune and put back the oem one. While driving with the lap3 ecu tune stage 1.5 since getting the car back it felt smooth but sometimes felt like it was studderring when I stepped on the pedal. The best word I can describe a pull or getting on the pedal is “studderring”. The car did it sometimes but not all the time. It did do it the night out with the wifey. Is this technically a “misfire” ?


So the tech was able to get my car on the lift yesterday and I had misfires. Cylinder 1 had nothing in it. The compression stated for cylinder 1 was 0psi. They are stating I need a new short engine block which the tech is trying to get covered under warranty for me. The tech did ask me was there any modifications done to the ecu which had me thinking they probably saw something from when I swapped out the lap3 ecu. Mind you I only had the hks plugs in since 40k miles. This happened around 45k and some change miles. The tech didn’t mind the intakes and exhaust or the hks plugs but the ecu modification question he asked just had me pretty down because I’m pretty sure they saw something. They are still working with Kia to try and get it covered under warranty but I highly doubt it. The tech stated this is the first stinger he has seen like this . Red flag after red flag. Once this is over and the car is back I’m parting out but thought I would like to share my experience with those who had similar problems and just in general.

 

[AWDGT2]

Ouch, sorry you had such a bad experience. Sounds like the previous owner hurt it and knew it. Not wanting to deal with it he just traded it in for something else, leaving the headache for someone else.

 

[Brichinelo]

Ouch, sorry you had such a bad experience. Sounds like the previous owner hurt it and knew it. Not wanting to deal with it he just traded it in for something else, leaving the headache for someone else.

Yeah definitely had some things done to it prior to my purchase of it. One commonality I did find out about with another guy who’s engine also needs to be replaced is his cylinder 3 hks plugs were burnt and melted. My cylinder 1 psi was zero once the compression test was done. Weird

 

[Mo-mo]

Honestly I got very lucky with mine. With such low mileage I asked about the first owner, and it was an older gentleman who was just used to trucks. It's clean from tip to tail. Only minor gripe was when it was delivered they put 87 octane in it making both banks run lean. Octane booster and a fresh tank of 91 with more octane cleared that right up.

 

[Snicklefritz]

more modification sad tales. but it was interesting reading.

Car is at the dealership being diagnosed as we speak. Only mods are lap3 1.5 ecu tune, Afe intakes, and custom exhaust. Long story short I believe I purchased a stinger that had some engine modifications done to it and the owner might have not wanted to put the money into it. The ecu bracket was sitting crooked in the car when first trying to install my afe intakes when I first got the car. First big red flag. 19 stinger gt used with about 30k miles when purchased. Second big red flag that went wrong or I noticed and some local guys was the turbos. Dealership did not want to pay stating it was wear and tear that has causd one of the turbines to be chewed up and something had possibly got in there. Had those replaced through local guys and car is running good. Recently involved in a fender bender and had to get the whole front bumper replaced, drop bar, and intercooler through insurance . Got the car back from the body shop and I’m making no boost . They didnt tighten down the clamps on the charge pipe so took it out to my performance shop and they tightened everything down. Friday night on the way home with the wifey from dinner and all I see is a cloud of white smoke in the rear view mirror. Start to smell it in the cabin as well. Pull over to a gas station and car is still smoking. Pop the hood and oil is leaking in the engine bay. Had it towed on Saturday and swapped out the lap3 ecu tune and put back the oem one. While driving with the lap3 ecu tune stage 1.5 since getting the car back it felt smooth but sometimes felt like it was studderring when I stepped on the pedal. The best word I can describe a pull or getting on the pedal is “studderring”. The car did it sometimes but not all the time. It did do it the night out with the wifey. Is this technically a “misfire” ?


So the tech was able to get my car on the lift yesterday and I had misfires. Cylinder 1 had nothing in it. The compression stated for cylinder 1 was 0psi. They are stating I need a new short engine block which the tech is trying to get covered under warranty for me. The tech did ask me was there any modifications done to the ecu which had me thinking they probably saw something from when I swapped out the lap3 ecu. Mind you I only had the hks plugs in since 40k miles. This happened around 45k and some change miles. The tech didn’t mind the intakes and exhaust or the hks plugs but the ecu modification question he asked just had me pretty down because I’m pretty sure they saw something. They are still working with Kia to try and get it covered under warranty but I highly doubt it. The tech stated this is the first stinger he has seen like this . Red flag after red flag. Once this is over and the car is back I’m parting out but thought I would like to share my experience with those who had similar problems and just in general.

I'm guessing that your stinger is not a Kia cpo. can a modified car returned to stock get a cpo rating? even if it was a lease and the previous lessor took everything off, how would Kia know? The CPO will give you warranty even if Kia screws up, they can't revoke the CPO after the fact, its on them so your engine would be warrantied to 100,000 miles.

 

[Brichinelo]

more modification sad tales. but it was interesting reading.

I'm guessing that your stinger is not a Kia cpo. can a modified car returned to stock get a cpo rating? even if it was a lease and the previous lessor took everything off, how would Kia know? The CPO will give you warranty even if Kia screws up, they can't revoke the CPO after the fact, its on them so your engine would be warrantied to 100,000 miles.

It’s not. I did purchase an extended warranty when first getting the car up to 60,000 miles. The tech mentioned that too so he is trying to get it covered under warranty. Just asking in general if Kia doesn’t cover I still need to get it fixed but once fixed would you hold onto the car, sell it , or trade it in? Just asking for some logical advice. Thanks

 

[Brichinelo]

Honestly I got very lucky with mine. With such low mileage I asked about the first owner, and it was an older gentleman who was just used to trucks. It's clean from tip to tail. Only minor gripe was when it was delivered they put 87 octane in it making both banks run lean. Octane booster and a fresh tank of 91 with more octane cleared that right up.

I was just searching online for some other trims of the stinger and I’m at a lost at this point. Don’t know what to look for anymore. This ish was stressful . I’ll ask you the same question . What would you do ? Trade it in for another stinger , sell it or move to another platform or keep it ? I do still owe money on it .

 

[Mo-mo]

I was just searching online for some other trims of the stinger and I’m at a post at this point. Don’t know what to look for anymore. This ish was stressful . I’ll ask you the same question . What would you do ? Trade it in for another stinger , sell it or move to another platform or keep it ? I do still owe money on it .

I think that should be considered after you find out if it's warranty or not. I've had nothing bad to say about Kia since I got my forte six years ago. I think you got a bad deal, honestly. I haven't heard many problems with the stinger. But I'd wait until repairs are done and then re evaluate this.

 

[bfglitch]

Man, you've had a whole lot of bad luck with that car. Sounds like previous owner really beat the crap out of it. Who knows what else could be a ticking time bomb. At this point I'd question the transfer case and transmission as well.

As for them questioning whether or not there was a tune, they might be asking simply because of the plugs that are in the car. Or perhaps it's something else. If they don't repair the engine under warranty, I'd consider that of a sign of things to come in the future.

 

[Brichinelo]

Man, you've had a whole lot of bad luck with that car. Sounds like previous owner really beat the crap out of it. Who knows what else could be a ticking time bomb. At this point I'd question the transfer case and transmission as well.

As for them questioning whether or not there was a tune, they might be asking simply because of the plugs that are in the car. Or perhaps it's something else. If they don't repair the engine under warranty, I'd consider that of a sign of things to come in the future.

Point taken and noted . Yes one hell of a ride with this car smh

 

[Brichinelo]

Man, you've had a whole lot of bad luck with that car. Sounds like previous owner really beat the crap out of it. Who knows what else could be a ticking time bomb. At this point I'd question the transfer case and transmission as well.

As for them questioning whether or not there was a tune, they might be asking simply because of the plugs that are in the car. Or perhaps it's something else. If they don't repair the engine under warranty, I'd consider that of a sign of things to come in the future.

They questioned about tampering the stock ecu which had me thinning the might have saw something. It’s another guy who had to replace his whole engine as well due to a plug melting. He has the same stage tune as me and we ordered right around the same time. Just a lot of coincidences. When I pulled the lap3 ecu out the next day it still smelled smoky and burnt . Same as with the the other guy when he pulled his lap3 ecu the next day as well. A lot of commonalities I’m starting to see

 

[Snicklefritz]

It’s not. I did purchase an extended warranty when first getting the car up to 60,000 miles. The tech mentioned that too so he is trying to get it covered under warranty. Just asking in general if Kia doesn’t cover I still need to get it fixed but once fixed would you hold onto the car, sell it , or trade it in? Just asking for some logical advice. Thanks

Finances. all your questions need to be answered first regarding this car. if it looks like you can get your money out of it and your nervous about keeping it then of course sell and look for something else. Don't dig a hole for yourself, pay everything off. and better luck next time.

 

[byebyeSTI]

They questioned about tampering the stock ecu which had me thinning the might have saw something. It’s another guy who had to replace his whole engine as well due to a plug melting. He has the same stage tune as me and we ordered right around the same time. Just a lot of coincidences. When I pulled the lap3 ecu out the next day it still smelled smoky and burnt . Same as with the the other guy when he pulled his lap3 ecu the next day as well. A lot of commonalities I’m starting to see

melting plugs / too much heat / boost or bad gas , or just a bad tune .. that sucks either way

 

[Mo-mo]

melting plugs / too much heat / boost or bad gas , or just a bad tune .. that sucks either way

If I recall, Lap3 ecu is like...what 2 grand? I wouldn't expect that for the price range but, well shit happens

 

[byebyeSTI]

If I recall, Lap3 ecu is like...what 2 grand? I wouldn't expect that for the price range but, well shit happens

any time you have a off the shelf tune there can be trouble unless there are precautions taken like getting, a real time dyno evaluation of the tune to spot trouble areas , or at the very least taking detailed logs back to lap 3 , even then its a gamble

 

[Mo-mo]

any time you have a off the shelf tune there can be trouble unless there are precautions taken like getting, a real time dyno evaluation of the tune to spot trouble areas , or at the very least taking detailed logs back to lap 3 , even then its a gamble

Also True. When I get my jb4 I'm getting all the trimmings. EWG, fuel, etc. Maybe with enough monitoring something like this could be avoided in the future. And that's if it was just a glitch or issue with the ecu

 

[Brichinelo]

If I recall, Lap3 ecu is like...what 2 grand? I wouldn't expect that for the price range but, well shit happens

I wouldn’t expect it either. Yeah it’s about 2 grand. Not blaming the tune but it’s a lot of coincidences I’m starting to see that’s all.

 

[Brichinelo]

Also True. When I get my jb4 I'm getting all the trimmings. EWG, fuel, etc. Maybe with enough monitoring something like this could be avoided in the future. And that's if it was just a glitch or issue with the ecu

I remember David Chung stating a while back , the owner of lap3 to not run the jb4 in tandem with their ecu because a lot of ppl were getting overboost. I’ve heard nothing but good news about lap3 . The only gripe I can say for myself is my car was modified beforehand . I did get a pre inspection of the car after getting it. I’m hearing that the lap3 tunes fuel run rich. Not sure about that but definitely getting my tune dialed in better once the car is back or at least find out what’s going on. If not I’ll probably sell or swap for a jb4 and leave it as be

 

[Brichinelo]

melting plugs / too much heat / boost or bad gas , or just a bad tune .. that sucks either way

Definitely want to find out what went wrong with the tune, plugs , boost whatever it may be. From talking with the tech sounds like it was a misfire but two ppl having same the issues with plugs just has me thinking something is fishy. Less than 6k miles on my hks plugs and about 1k on the other plugs that the tune and car and engine went bad

 

[Brichinelo]

any time you have a off the shelf tune there can be trouble unless there are precautions taken like getting, a real time dyno evaluation of the tune to spot trouble areas , or at the very least taking detailed logs back to lap 3 , even then its a gamble

I didn’t get the tube Dyno tested but probably should have . I did not see one person prior to purchasing the tune that had problems with the lap3 tune. Which was a big part in my decision. I definitely want to get the tune Dyno tested to see any hiccups or discover that plugs go bad with the tune