Poll: Who is having issues with Spark Plugs?

[SEA Stinger]

I have a 2.0 and might consider installing a tuning chip, but only after it has been demonstrated to be quite safe. That means I am interested in two things:
1. Has anyone who has installed the LAP3 chip had spark plug and/or coil problems?
2. Has anyone else had spark plug and/or coil problems without the LAP3 chip?

This thread began as a poll to gather data on those questions, which seems totally reasonable and useful.

Looking at the results of the poll so far, it is logically correct that just because none of the poll responses indicate spark plug/coil issues on a Stinger without the LAP3 chip, that does not mean there are no instances of that situation. It is also logically correct that just because several Stingers with the LAP3 chip installed are having spark plug/coil issues, the chip is the only possible cause.

HOWEVER... It would NOT be logically correct to say that because it hasn't yet been definitively proven that the chip can cause spark plug/coil problems, that makes it safe to go ahead and install the chip.

Some members of this forum who have installed the chip have reported problems. No members who haven't installed the chip have reported problems. While that is not definitive proof for or against the chip, it is a clear signal that caution is called for.

It is certainly useful and important to keep gathering more information, which will hopefully lead to definitive answers.

Until and unless it can be clearly shown that the chip isn't causing spark plug/coil issues, I would not be willing to put my car's engine at risk by installing it.

Thankfully there are some brave Stinger owners who are willing to accept the risks associated with trying the chip. I look forward to hearing about their experiences.

 

[Craig SSFifty]

Since people are obviously coming here, brand new, asking about this problem, let's have a vote on who's having issues and who is not.

I am one of them. I am new to the forum and interested in any issues with the Stinger. Over at the 6 Gen Camaro Forum we have a lot of transmission issues with the A8.

 

[max2382]

Sorry for the dumb question, but how can I know if one or more plug is broken or if a cylinder is misfiring? what I mean is would I feel it in the way the car drives, accelerates, etc.. or I have to take the plugs out to check them? thanks

 

[robz32]

you will certainly feel it in the way the car drives and responds.

 

[Kazz]

You would also have a check engine light.

 

[Adamdan]

I have a 2.0 and might consider installing a tuning chip, but only after it has been demonstrated to be quite safe. That means I am interested in two things:
1. Has anyone who has installed the LAP3 chip had spark plug and/or coil problems?
2. Has anyone else had spark plug and/or coil problems without the LAP3 chip?

This thread began as a poll to gather data on those questions, which seems totally reasonable and useful.

Looking at the results of the poll so far, it is logically correct that just because none of the poll responses indicate spark plug/coil issues on a Stinger without the LAP3 chip, that does not mean there are no instances of that situation. It is also logically correct that just because several Stingers with the LAP3 chip installed are having spark plug/coil issues, the chip is the only possible cause.

HOWEVER... It would NOT be logically correct to say that because it hasn't yet been definitively proven that the chip can cause spark plug/coil problems, that makes it safe to go ahead and install the chip.

Some members of this forum who have installed the chip have reported problems. No members who haven't installed the chip have reported problems. While that is not definitive proof for or against the chip, it is a clear signal that caution is called for.

It is certainly useful and important to keep gathering more information, which will hopefully lead to definitive answers.

Until and unless it can be clearly shown that the chip isn't causing spark plug/coil issues, I would not be willing to put my car's engine at risk by installing it.

Thankfully there are some brave Stinger owners who are willing to accept the risks associated with trying the chip. I look forward to hearing about their experiences.

It’s a problem with spark plug gap. I gapped my oem plugs before installing my jb4 and have not had one issue with plugs . I also run map 3 and have run map 5 and 7 with no issues.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

It’s a problem with spark plug gap. I gapped my oem plugs before installing my jb4 and have not had one issue with plugs . I also run map 3 and have run map 5 and 7 with no issues.

I only have the RS chip, but after reading about some of the plugs and coil trouble s ,, I bought a set of colder (Denso )spark plugs and, re gapped them to .024 but also run off 94 Octane only,, the car runs very well but as it is winter time here so, I will get a better chance to test it over the
course in Summer Temps ! These Turbo s are tested to Max pressure ,I believe around 25 psi ,, and the chip I runs it up to just under 20 psi to be safe , My is lower yet around 16 or 17psi perhaps !

I will be adding a exhaust upgrade just to get a bit better flow and a bit different sound ,, good luck everyone but remember high octane fuel is very very important for tuned cars in general !! just my 2 cents worth !

 

[Adamdan]

I only have the RS chip, but after reading about some of the plugs and coil trouble s ,, I bought a set of colder (Denso )spark plugs and, re gapped them to .024 but also run off 94 Octane only,, the car runs very well but as it is winter time here so, I will get a better chance to test it over the
course in Summer Temps ! These Turbo s are tested to Max pressure ,I believe around 25 psi ,, and the chip I runs it up to just under 20 psi to be safe , My is lower yet around 16 or 17psi perhaps !

I will be adding a exhaust upgrade just to get a bit better flow and a bit different sound ,, good luck everyone but remember high octane fuel is very very important for tuned cars in general !! just my 2 cents worth !

What kind of fuel do you run? I tried chevron 94 in the summer but was getting lots of pinging. I had better luck with shell 91. I run E85 mix now.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

What kind of fuel do you run? I tried chevron 94 in the summer but was getting lots of pinging. I had better luck with shell 91. I run E85 mix now.

Adamdan ,
here in Kelowna BC, I run on Chevron 94 only ,with my Stinger ,and as well I used this brand of fuel in my ZX10 Ninja when I still had it , never a problem with pinging , so perhaps where you were buying your gas there was ,
not truly 94 Octane as the pump said, due to either fuel tank being filled with low grade gas and sold as 94 or the fuel got sour with perhaps some moisture within the underground tanks from not being used much in your area ! It may be better to do what I used to do and that was to carry a top grade Octane boost just to make sure getting proper detonation happening .
I have only the RS Chip and use Mutol full synthetic oil installed, but even running with the car in stock under full load , never a problem with pinging ! I will also being using in summer Lucas OR NOS ,high Octane boost in my tank if there is any pinging what so ever !
Just some food for thought ,but hope it make sense

 

[Adamdan]

Adamdan ,
here in Kelowna BC, I run on Chevron 94 only ,with my Stinger ,and as well I used this brand of fuel in my ZX10 Ninja when I still had it , never a problem with pinging , so perhaps where you were buying your gas there was ,
not truly 94 Octane as the pump said, due to either fuel tank being filled with low grade gas and sold as 94 or the fuel got sour with perhaps some moisture within the underground tanks from not being used much in your area ! It may be better to do what I used to do and that was to carry a top grade Octane boost just to make sure getting proper detonation happening .
I have only the RS Chip and use Mutol full synthetic oil installed, but even running with the car in stock under full load , never a problem with pinging ! I will also being using in summer Lucas OR NOS ,high Octane boost in my tank if there is any pinging what so ever !
Just some food for thought ,but hope it make sense

I was defiantly wondering if it was a bad tank of gas. I’ll try chevron again once the weather gets nicer at a different station.

 

[KAGE]

Hey guys. I have a stock stinger with this problem. Probably the worst case to date. My car has been in for this multiple times. This last time it’s been 5 weeks and still don’t have it back. If they Have it figured out this time. I should have it back in two days. More to come on this but what we know for certain is it’s NOT the plugs or the gap. Seems to be a lot of opinions based on speculation here. As for the tuned guys. This is a big deal. Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s likely what would have happened if it wasn’t tuned.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

I was defiantly wondering if it was a bad tank of gas. I’ll try chevron again once the weather gets nicer at a different station.

What are you using for a performance chip ?? And I always add octane boost , as for now I run my settings in Race mode and if I use the lower map settings then 91 should be ok but if you have a car running a bit crappie, maybe just bad fuel ️ as I said earlier I use my car as my DAily Driver

 

[Jaymorz]

I really don't mean to criticize but I think the poll would be best served mentioning the gap & brand of spark plugs you have and subcategorize if there are or arent any issues.

Perhaps I can put together a list from across all forum threads in both LAP3 & JB4 sections

 

[Bauser]

I had a bad stumble under heavy acceleration and it ended up being a cracked plug. Couldn't notice it under normal low load driving so they figure the crack only opened up when cylinder temps were at their highest causing the plug to stop firing. Replaced the plug and it runs just fine now. Happened at 3700KM or so

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

I had a bad stumble under heavy acceleration and it ended up being a cracked plug. Couldn't notice it under normal low load driving so they figure the crack only opened up when cylinder temps were at their highest causing the plug to stop firing. Replaced the plug and it runs just fine now. Happened at 3700KM or so

Was the plug noticeably cracked when you removed it?

 

[Bauser]

Was the plug noticeably cracked when you removed it?

I didn't get to look at the plug, but that is what the dealer tech told me. He said the Crack was barely noticeable though

 

[Angel]

I am having issues with plugs.

 

[Angel]

3.3TT - Check Engine Light goes on and off. Weird exhaust crackle/pop sound when WOT.

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

I am having issues with plugs.

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Densos?

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

I am having issues with plugs.

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What’s happening in your logs and on the App for the jb4?