2015 Kia Sportage idle issue

Jerry84 · Postby **Jerry84** » April 10th, 2025, 3:49 pm

So I realized that my sportage has somewhat of an occasional miss at idle. Whenever the gas runs to 1/4 and I refill, the miss occurs. It only stops when I use a redline fuel treatment/ injector cleaner.

Now this vehicle belonged to my father and he didn't use it for a period of time, to the extent that gas was filled once every 3 or 4 months. I changed the plugs (NGK Iridium), did full service on throttle, coilpacks good, etc but the problem still persist. It currently has less than 60,000 km on it and was bought from the firm brand new.

It was suggested that because the gas was sitting in the tank for a period of time of 2 years, it gave rise to impurities and over the 2 years or so the car was hardly used, sediments accumulated in the gas tank and these sediments are what's causing the issue. The gas was "topped up" with just like $40 just to have gas in the vehicle as he was recuperating from illness and surgery.

Any suggestions?

I was also told that the only way to drain the fuel tank is to literally take down the tank which I'm hesitant to do.

What are your thoughts?

kamakazi · Postby **kamakazi** » April 20th, 2025, 5:00 pm

Try filling up the tank when it drops to 1/2 instead of a 1/4.

Premium or super?

Port or direct injection?

Service covered oil change, air filter change. Everything connected properly no vacuum leaks?

I personally don't like the idea of dropping a fuel tank, on a relatively new vehicle. Not sure where the fuel filter is but I would check that first; it would suck if it is in tank.

We in the tropics don't have to the same extent in tank condensation and rusting as temperate zones...I also don't think we use alcohol blended fuels, so sediment deposits should be pretty low. The fuel itself could deteriorate but you can burn that off by filling up with premium and driving gently.