Cylinder misfire and blown spark plug with LAP3 tune

[Dark_Knight GT]

Wanted to put this out for public consumption. About a week into running the chip, I experienced a cylinder misfire and blew a plug (at a minimum). I am on stock plugs. It may have been bad gas or maybe bad plugs from the start. I had the chip set to 91. Not blaming the chip as the problem could return as I read somewhere else on here about spark plug problems.

 

[Chris]

Wanted to put this out for public consumption. About a week into running the chip, I experienced a cylinder misfire and blew a plug (at a minimum). I am on stock plugs. It may have been bad gas or maybe bad plugs from the start. I had the chip set to 91. Not blaming the chip as the problem could return as I read somewhere else on here about spark plug problems.

Ouch.

 

[Kamauxx]

Welp, that does it for me. Guess I'll spend that money on an intake or something.

Let us know what all went wrong, whenever you find out, Dark_Knight.

 

[SEA Stinger]

At this point it seems wise to hold off on the tuning chip. Hopefully with time this will get sorted out. Until then:

 

[Dark_Knight GT]

I’ll keep folks posted. I’m thinking it was the gas and 91 setting combo. I’m typically religious about fueling up with higher quality (shell) gas. Was informed lesser quality gas and this chip is a bad marriage. Last fillip was an “unknown” vendor in the boonies. Two days ago starting getting a flashing CEL (no beuno). Took off the chip. Drove it the next day and the CEL came and stayed. Dealer reset it and it’s off, but I get a pronounced shutter under heavy boost. So I now drive like it’s a mini van until i can swap the plug out (available only thru Kia). Hopefully, that’s all it is.

 

[RobertPaulson]

Wanted to put this out for public consumption. About a week into running the chip, I experienced a cylinder misfire and blew a plug (at a minimum). I am on stock plugs. It may have been bad gas or maybe bad plugs from the start. I had the chip set to 91. Not blaming the chip as the problem could return as I read somewhere else on here about spark plug problems.

This was an issue on sonata/optima 2.0T’s with the lap3 chip. It quickly became a requirement to upgrade to the hks m45xl plug.

 

[Dark_Knight GT]

I inquired about upgrading prior to installing. Was informed the stock Stinger plugs were sufficent. That said, the current evidence suggests otherwise. I totally agree.

I wonder had I set it at the lower setting...

 

[Never thought]

This is the reason I’d never buy the tune. 40-50hp isn’t worth the potential aggravation in my book. Hopefully it gets sorted out for you

 

[TJH]

Wanted to put this out for public consumption. About a week into running the chip, I experienced a cylinder misfire and blew a plug (at a minimum). I am on stock plugs. It may have been bad gas or maybe bad plugs from the start. I had the chip set to 91. Not blaming the chip as the problem could return as I read somewhere else on here about spark plug problems.

Apart from the chip, is your car completely stock?

 

[iclicku]

I've read also that the HKS plugs were a requirement on the K8 store page. I'm still on the fence and would not run the tune without the plugs and the OCC. I'm waiting on K8 store to fabricate the mount before I dive in. In the meantime I hope all issues are resolved.

 

[Kamauxx]

The guys from K5/K8 store were saying they got word from Korea that the plugs we're only required for 2.0t models. The word they got was that the 3.3's plugs we're sufficient.

 

[Dark_Knight GT]

Apart from the chip, is your car completely stock?

Yes.

 

[Kazz]

It would be helpful if the community could identify upgraded plugs for the 3.3TT and find a source for those interested. I'm not sure what to look for.

 

[iclicku]

I believe the HKS M45XL spark plugs are recommended. I'll source them from Amazon or eBay unless I find a vendor that is cheaper.

 

[Kazz]

I saw somewhere that our plugs were different than those in other vehicles. So the old recommendation may not hold true?

 

[Dark_Knight GT]

I’ve been trying to figure out the same thing. I confirmed with the dealer the stock plugs are NGK SILZFR7AG9. The above image is from the Kia tech manual. They were unable to provide the exact specs; however on another forum they’re reportedly: thread 14mm, pitch 1.25, reach 19, hex 16. I’m no plug expert, but wouldn’t these HKS plugs be too long?

 

[iclicku]

I saw that info as well.
Maybe the gap is incorrect?

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Wanted to put this out for public consumption. About a week into running the chip, I experienced a cylinder misfire and blew a plug (at a minimum). I am on stock plugs. It may have been bad gas or maybe bad plugs from the start. I had the chip set to 91. Not blaming the chip as the problem could return as I read somewhere else on here about spark plug problems.

Sorry to hear about your misfire!

Just to go over a few things with you, you were running the chip on the 91 setting with 91 octane gas?

We have seen a few others with stock motors/no bolt ons or chip have some issues with their plugs (only a few incidents so far).

Lap3/PROS did inform us that the stock plugs should be sufficient to run the chip (unlike the Optima which did not come equipped with plugs sufficient for the tune). I will be contacting Lap3 in Korea and HKS this week to look further into a possible alternative to stock plugs (if needed).

We want the community to know we take all products we carry seriously and always looking out for the best interest of the customer. As soon as I hear back from both Lap3 and HKS I'll be sure to let the community know if we will be requiring a different set of plugs/solution if there is an alternative!

Thanks

I believe the HKS M45XL spark plugs are recommended. I'll source them from Amazon or eBay unless I find a vendor that is cheaper.

I'm pretty sure these will not fit the 3.3TT, just for the 2.0T

 

[Dark_Knight GT]

Just to go over a few things with you, you were running the chip on the 91 setting with 91 octane gas?

Yes, set at 91 and running 91 octane gas.

Lap3/PROS did inform us that the stock plugs should be sufficient to run the chip (unlike the Optima which did not come equipped with plugs sufficient for the tune). I will be contacting Lap3 in Korea and HKS this week to look further into a possible alternative to stock plugs (if needed).

I inquired with David prior to purchasing the chip who indicated the same. I trust he had done his due dilligence and this was the information he received from Lap3.

We want the community to know we take all products we carry seriously and always looking out for the best interest of the customer. As soon as I hear back from both Lap3 and HKS I'll be sure to let the community know if we will be requiring a different set of plugs/solution if there is an alternative!

I believe this as the customer service I've received from you guys has been nothing short of excellent. This is just the pain of being an early adopter. Accordingly, my intent was to inform the community to be aware and certinaly not toss anyone under the bus.

 

[iclicku]

Sorry to hear about your misfire!

Just to go over a few things with you, you were running the chip on the 91 setting with 91 octane gas?

We have seen a few others with stock motors/no bolt ons or chip have some issues with their plugs (only a few incidents so far).

Lap3/PROS did inform us that the stock plugs should be sufficient to run the chip (unlike the Optima which did not come equipped with plugs sufficient for the tune). I will be contacting Lap3 in Korea and HKS this week to look further into a possible alternative to stock plugs (if needed).

We want the community to know we take all products we carry seriously and always looking out for the best interest of the customer. As soon as I hear back from both Lap3 and HKS I'll be sure to let the community know if we will be requiring a different set of plugs/solution if there is an alternative!

Thanks


I'm pretty sure these will not fit the 3.3TT, just for the 2.0T

I was going by information listed on your website.