Kia Stinger GTS

[bgunsch]

So I had a JB4 installed on my Kia Stinger GTS and after 4 months I am now getting low compression out of #5 cylinder. Took it to the shop that installed it and they stated they fixed it and as soon as I started it my car started shaking again. I took it straight to Kia and they did their diagnostics test on it and stated compression was bad. They did not want to cover under warranty due to the JB4 installed so they pushed the buck to the people that installed it. They went over all their installation and stated it was all installed correctly. I am now being told it is my responsibility of $15,500 for a new engine on a 2019 Kia Stinger GTS that has less than 20,000 miles on it. Does anyopne have any recommendations or who I should go to or am I pretty much with the luck I have and lose my car? See attached as to what they installed on my car.

 

[Robilar]

Kia does not warranty engines with aftermarket mods on them, frankly no car company does but I expect you knew that when you went to them.

You could try to sue the company that installed the tune but I suspect they had you sign a purchase agreement. I'd have a close look at the language on it. If they have language that indicates they are not liable for any damage caused by the device then you can't sue them.

Option 3 would be to look for a used engine from a wrecked Kia, much cheaper.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Installing used engine might be your best option here. You can get low miles one for around $5k. And since kia dealership knows about jb4, dancing around warranty claim, will be just wasting time,imho.

 

[Kamauxx]

So I had a JB4 installed on my Kia Stinger GTS and after 4 months I am now getting low compression out of #5 cylinder. Took it to the shop that installed it and they stated they fixed it and as soon as I started it my car started shaking again. I took it straight to Kia and they did their diagnostics test on it and stated compression was bad. They did not want to cover under warranty due to the JB4 installed so they pushed the buck to the people that installed it. They went over all their installation and stated it was all installed correctly. I am now being told it is my responsibility of $15,500 for a new engine on a 2019 Kia Stinger GTS that has less than 20,000 miles on it. Does anyopne have any recommendations or who I should go to or am I pretty much with the luck I have and lose my car?

Good advice given above.

If after it's repaired you decide to reinstall the JB4, remove it before going to the dealership for anything. It's a 3 minute job and there are instructional videos on YouTube.

 

[Robilar]

Also wouldn't rebuilding the engine be a possibility? Kia does have the engine parts and in this case given they won't warranty it may be willing to sell a new block and heads. Parts and labor would still be a lot less than replacing the entire engine.

 

[G70LEbyAdoom]

So I had a JB4 installed on my Kia Stinger GTS and after 4 months I am now getting low compression out of #5 cylinder. Took it to the shop that installed it and they stated they fixed it and as soon as I started it my car started shaking again. I took it straight to Kia and they did their diagnostics test on it and stated compression was bad. They did not want to cover under warranty due to the JB4 installed so they pushed the buck to the people that installed it. They went over all their installation and stated it was all installed correctly. I am now being told it is my responsibility of $15,500 for a new engine on a 2019 Kia Stinger GTS that has less than 20,000 miles on it. Does anyopne have any recommendations or who I should go to or am I pretty much with the luck I have and lose my car?

The real question here is did they even attempt actually getting it warrantied? if not, you could remove the JB4 and have it brought to a different dealer. Its a stretch and I cant promise anything will come of it, but still. if you want to play that card, the option may be there.

 

[MerlintheMad]

^^^This is the best shot suggested so far. Another dealer with a stock engine being diagnosed is definitely the first thing I'd try. Then, as I love my car, engine repair would be my next pursuit. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

 

[rpoffen]

So I had a JB4 installed on my Kia Stinger GTS and after 4 months I am now getting low compression out of #5 cylinder. Took it to the shop that installed it and they stated they fixed it and as soon as I started it my car started shaking again. I took it straight to Kia and they did their diagnostics test on it and stated compression was bad. They did not want to cover under warranty due to the JB4 installed so they pushed the buck to the people that installed it. They went over all their installation and stated it was all installed correctly. I am now being told it is my responsibility of $15,500 for a new engine on a 2019 Kia Stinger GTS that has less than 20,000 miles on it. Does anyopne have any recommendations or who I should go to or am I pretty much with the luck I have and lose my car?

What other mods to you have? What map(s) did you run on the JB4? What fuels did you use on those maps?

 

[Devin]

"Compression is bad" doesn't mean a whole lot. Try the another dealer suggestion, but if that door closes, get a mechanic to actually give you cylinder compression data so you can make an informed decision. You could have detonated a hole in a piston, or could be a stuck valve, or a ring. There are a lot of possibilities and a new engine seems like the dealer is trying to make excuses.

 

[bgunsch]

Also wouldn't rebuilding the engine be a possibility? Kia does have the engine parts and in this case given they won't warranty it may be willing to sell a new block and heads. Parts and labor would still be a lot less than replacing the entire engine.

I asked that and they don't rebuild it must be replaced. You know the Dealerships need to make all the extra cash they can.

 

[bgunsch]

The real question here is did they even attempt actually getting it warrantied? if not, you could remove the JB4 and have it brought to a different dealer. Its a stretch and I cant promise anything will come of it, but still. if you want to play that card, the option may be there.

Yes they did as once the dealership denied claim I asked for corporates number and went as far as they would allow me of course and still denied as they state the issue was due to the JB4. So what KIA is telling me is that their STINGERS can't compete with power is pretty much what they are saying since they would never think their engine would be bad. Haha Yeah it is already marked and I had Kia uninstall the whole entire JB4 and then wanted them to run another diagnostics test to see if all along everyone was wrong and don't know what they're doing... This is what customer service has turned into now. It is no longer the customer is always right that's for sure... So once they have my car back together factory stock I will give everyone an update to let you know if my engine is bad or if Kia is just well I will just wait until then. Haha.. Have a great day everyone.

 

[bgunsch]

What other mods to you have? What map(s) did you run on the JB4? What fuels did you use on those maps?

I only ran map 1 & 2 and 3 1 time with ethanol but the guys that installed it did the mixture before I got the vehicle and I only ran that in my car that 1 time other than that just Superunleaded.. I attached what they did to my car on my message and here to you as well...

 

[rpoffen]

I only ran map 1 & 2 and 3 1 time with ethanol but the guys that installed it did the mixture before I got the vehicle and I only ran that in my car that 1 time other than that just Superunleaded.. I attached what they did to my car on my message and here to you as well...

They said plugs one step colder. Do you know what brand? What gap?
Most people with JB4 recommend HKS plugs gapped no more than .024. Some use Denso, but have had problems. If they didn't use good plugs, perhaps that caused a failure?

 

[bgunsch]

They said plugs one step colder. Do you know what brand? What gap?
Most people with JB4 recommend HKS plugs gapped no more than .024. Some use Denso, but have had problems. If they didn't use good plugs, perhaps that caused a failure

They said plugs one step colder. Do you know what brand? What gap?
Most people with JB4 recommend HKS plugs gapped no more than .024. Some use Denso, but have had problems. If they didn't use good plugs, perhaps that caused a failure?

I am not sure but my wifes car has the same set up as mine and hers did the exact same thing and so they replaced her plugs and so far with the JB4 and all on hers it is still running really smooth with no issues. I think that it is either the plugs or the 02 sensor adaptor they put on could also be messing with the system. So many things but I will try everything before I give up on this car... By the way here is what they said they installed: Spark Plugs NGK Laser Platinum

 

[bgunsch]

^^^This is the best shot suggested so far. Another dealer with a stock engine being diagnosed is definitely the first thing I'd try. Then, as I love my car, engine repair would be my next pursuit. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

Appreciate that and thank you....

 

[Robilar]

Yes they did as once the dealership denied claim I asked for corporates number and went as far as they would allow me of course and still denied as they state the issue was due to the JB4. So what KIA is telling me is that their STINGERS can't compete with power is pretty much what they are saying since they would never think their engine would be bad. Haha Yeah it is already marked and I had Kia uninstall the whole entire JB4 and then wanted them to run another diagnostics test to see if all along everyone was wrong and don't know what they're doing... This is what customer service has turned into now. It is no longer the customer is always right that's for sure... So once they have my car back together factory stock I will give everyone an update to let you know if my engine is bad or if Kia is just well I will just wait until then. Haha.. Have a great day everyone.

I'm not defending Kia's practices here but their engines being unable to handle power as you put it is misleading. As much work as a small boutique company can put into tuning cars doesn't equal the testing Kia or any other auto maker does on their engines. Tunes change many aspects of the engines' performance, not just power.

Every maker invalidates warranty if you do an aftermarket tune for a reason.

It's not just about increasing the output of the engine, tuning changes timing, fuel consumption and a whole bunch of other aspects of the engine that are not tested for more than a brief window of time. Car makers run engines for thousands of hours before replicating them into production vehicles.

That's a reason why I have never tuned a car. If I want my car to go faster, I just trade it in for something faster

 

[stoopid]

...

Every maker invalidates warranty if you do an aftermarket tune for a reason.
...

Definitely this. It's not Kia's fault you tuned your car. They're under no obligation to repair things you (or your tuning company) damage.

That said, isn't #5 the one with the most difficult access to the plug? Hopefully they didn't cross thread the plug trying to get it in there, or something stupid like that (maybe it's just not torqued down all the way?). Maybe even damaged the plug trying to get it in there.

You're on the right track chasing down causes and solutions. Engine rebuilds and replacements aint cheap. Maybe you'll luck out.

 

[stoopid]

Have you tried swapping the plug in #5 with a plug from another cylinder, to see if the problem follows that plug to the other cylinder?

 

[Ric 'Ochet]

The bigger question is WHY on EARTH would you take it to the dealer without unplugging the JB4, ever??

Every 3rd post on every forum is about the dealer, JB4, and warranty warnings.

Not to sound callous… but…It’s your responsibility to understand the pitfalls of modding your car...It sucks, yes, but you pretty much did this to yourself.

 

[rpoffen]

IMO the biggest advantage to a piggyback tune like the JB4 is the fact that it can be removed within minutes if necessary.