I noted on my 2000 Kia Sephia, with 40,000 miles, that after starting it up, it began chugging (missing) and check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they wanted $130 to change plugs and spark plug wires. I felt this was unacceptable so looked into the problem myself. Spent $20 for four NGK platinum plugs and $20 for aftermarket (2 plug wire set). Runs fine now except never was happy with the fuel economy. Kia recommends changing plugs and wires at 30,000miles, which I though was kind of premature, but after looking at the plug wire tubes, I understand why. Found a pin hole burnt through the tube shorting the spark to ground. Good thing it wasn't one of the two coil/plug combination part. That could have cost me. I mention this because owners with similar problems might want to check the sparkplug tubes first.
-   Where are the plugs and wires located?-   david_vanars
Mar 03, 2009
-   Just curious, when you guys solved this problem was it just one cyclinder that was misfiring? -   robb1s5
Dec 30, 2008
-   Where are the sparkplugs and tubes?-   AWickersham
Aug 05, 2008
-   I had exactly the same problem. While accelerating, engine would miss and throw the "check engine" light. Took it to autozone and had code scanned. It read a cylinder 1 misfire. After buying new plugs, I noticed a series of pinholes on the #1 sparkplug tube. Replaced the set and it runs like a top now. Got over 150,000 miles on it.
I heard that the NGK wires were good replacements, perhaps even better than Kia wires? Have you had any experience with the NGK wires...Im going to be installing a set soon.
Was this helpful?
Yes
No
Solution #2
posted on May 14, 2008
Rogers - usenet poster
Rank: Apprentice
Rating: 0%, 0 votes
Most aftermarket wires will be even worse than the Kia wires. Actually, I believe the wires are redesigned from the original to reduce the problem you describe.
Was this helpful?
Yes
No
Solution #3
posted on May 14, 2008
Rogers - usenet poster
Rank: Apprentice
Rating: 0%, 0 votes
I got about 60,000 out of the originals on my 97 sephia. The BP engine in the 97's was basically a mazda miata motor, and guess what..the 1.8l miata's have the same problem with the plug wires going bad. Mine had a tiny little hole in the tube just as you describe, the giveway was the rubber around it was burned white from the arcing going through it.
I never bothered with the platinum plugs. I usually just get the bosch super plugs and run em 30,000 miles. 99 cents each is hard to beat.
Ok, I was having trouble getting it to start. It would crank, but wouldn't start, till you tried it...
(More)
Ok, I was having trouble getting it to start. It would crank, but wouldn't start, till you tried it several times. I changed the plugs, wires and coil packs. Now it still won't start for ****, and when it does start, it runs horrid. Please help
how do i reset the overdrive light so that it stops flashing.
The overdrive light came on the dash...
(More)
how do i reset the overdrive light so that it stops flashing.
The overdrive light came on the dash flashing how do i
reset it so that it quits flashing. What also could be causing
it to flash