H3 Bad cylinder head ;(

[06 H3]

Well I brought the hummer to the dealership because I needed to figure out the cylinder 2 misfire. After changing the plugs and coil pack myself I still had the code....

Took it in and got the call that it is a bad head. So now im trying to decide on my options...the dealer charges $2900 and im out on warranty the service advisor said he would help me out as much as possible, he could get me to $2600. Now I gotta decide what to do...I have heard of stories where you can get some of it covered even out of warranty if u have an early 06 (which I do)....by talking with the hummer service line on the phone

Or I do take this into my own hands and do the cylinder head replacement myself? I have done similar things on a smaller scale on a buggy motor and I have access to any tools and a few friends that have rebuilt motors and done this type of stuff. Im not too concerned about doing it myself.

I have the money to have the dealership do the replacement but I feel like forking over 2600-2900 is basically getting raped.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

How many miles Chris? It doesn't hurt to call GM and see if they will offer you any kind of "goodwill warranty". Sometimes with enough persistence, you can get them to cover half.

 

[backwoods]

Do it yourself bro you need print outs or specs i can send em to you via email via alldata

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[06 H3]

85k miles corey. I wonder if GM cares about loyalty...we have had 4 GM vehicles in less then a 10 year period...

I may do it. how difficult is it?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[atvspeed4]

Read over on the Colorado forums. A guy ran into same issue and was cheaper to swap in the 3.7l from a early 2007. No tuning required.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

85k miles corey. I wonder if GM cares about loyalty...we have had 4 GM vehicles in less then a 10 year period...

Well, they should be willing to do something for you. You are out of warranty time wise, but you are still under 100k. It doesn’t hurt to call and see what they will do. This is a known issue on H3’s and Colorado’s and they have been know to cover half of it. I recently calling GM for a friend and was denied about three times and did not giving up. I wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I just kept asking there isn’t anything you can do. Well what got the wheels turning was getting mad and I mean really mad. Also they don’t like hearing you never had this issue with another brand (I used Ford as my example, thanks Amanda! :wink and that if they won’t help you out this is going to seriously affect your discussion when it comes to buying another GM vehicle. Persistence is the key.

 

[06 H3]

Just talked to my friend, he said he will talk to me about it in more detail later, he was wheeling (lucky bastard...)

My options are these...

For before moab:

if the price is $2600-2900 I will be doing it myself.

If I can get the price half off and 300 off at the dealer I can get it done about 1000, then I will have the dealer do it.

After moab:

If I get screwed on pricing and have no time to dig further into it after moab I would consider doing a 3.7 swap seeing the tuning isnt affected OR find a 5.3 and get all the electronics and have the first ever 2006 H3 alpha lol. That would be a last case scenario but would be cool

 

[06 H3]

Talked to corey (solarflare) and I will get a warranty on the cylinder head...That is worth gold seeing this is a common problem.

 

[06 H3]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5L-L5-cyl...e:Hummer|Model:H3&vxp=mtr&hash=item256a05d09b

Tempting...haha

 

[Zach]

Chris, either give me a call tomorrow or Monday

 

[cgalpha08]

I vote for the 5.3 liter swap, but i did read somewhere that the alpha has a thinner firewall so a swap would be a really tight fit

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[autumn walker]

I vote for diesel swap.

I hope you can get this sorted out with GM, they need to stand behind their products!

 

[backwoods]

85k miles corey. I wonder if GM cares about loyalty...we have had 4 GM vehicles in less then a 10 year period...

I may do it. how difficult is it?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

When i get to work ill get a labor estimated time off alldata and see what the more difficult areas are if yoy can wait till monday!? i personally dont think itd be too difficult as long as your organized and label and remember where everything goes

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[Dennis]

Bummer..I just had my Head redone at 53K..You've beatin the odds at 84K..but I'm of the opinion now, that the 06 vin model range will all eventually have the head issue..I believe that this is your ace in the hole to get GM to help out...they knew/know about this issue and even posted a bulletin about the VIN range (admission of a known defect)...Personally, I would try the mature and diplomatic approach first with GM and include your service advisor and or Dealers' service manager...take the high road before you go ballistic...least that has always worked for me in most issues like this..

Good luck

FYI:

#PIP3935D: Misfire At Idle Due To Leaking Intake Valves - Supplement To 07-06-01-011 - keywords 2.8L 3.5L compression controls cylinder drivability DTC engine excessive head high L52 LK5 leakage leak down low - (Mar 18, 2008)


Subject: Misfire at Idle due to Leaking Intake Valves - Supplement to 07-06-01-011

Affected:
2006 Hummer H3

with Last 6 of VIN Less than 287591​

 

[3Hummers]

Good luck with it Chris.

 

[JonBishop]

Make sure it's not broken motor mounts.... Haha I thought I had a bad head but turned out to be two bad broken motor mounts, thank god Zach got me in the shop an got it fixed!!!

 

[06 H3]

Thanks guys for all the responses. I can't complain seeing I made it to 85k.

A motor swap is a dream but isnt realistic now seeing she's my DD and my rig for moab in 36 days.

Ill give u a call Monday Zach.

Im not too concerned if I do it myself. I have done some major repairs on my rig and other 4x4s. Give me directions and ill figure out, let's just hope GM is reasonable first...

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[atvspeed4]

Here is the link. Doesnt seem to make sense to just replace the head when you could have the 3.7L

http://www.355nation.net/forum/engine-swaps/43667-3-7-engine-swap-complete.html

 

[Hunner]

It does seem strange if it was valve seats that were not hardened or what ever it was that is is just now showing up at this mileage?
I thought I had read a long time back that the Alpha had the fire wall moved back some and the frame widened at some point for the motor mounts. They did not just "drop in" the 5.3L in the production version from reading that.
I just wonder if as these engines get high mileage if now the problem is just, well high mileage? It's not uncommon to have valve seats wear and valves wear and get some carbon build up over time.
Pulling a head and taking it to a good machine shop did not used to be a big deal. Have them rework it and then you put in back on. They have the experience and technique to lap the valves and insert proper valve guides.
Or buy a lower mileage later used head, if you could find one, oh Brodieeee gonna miss him.
Try Schram, it's worth a shot.

 

[06 H3]

My other friend suggested going to a machine shop. It will be interesting to see the swaps in the future. Is there a way we can find the info for the changes made for the 5.3?

A motor swap isn't a bad idea, but going to school full time working part time and leaving for moab in 35 days doesnt leave me a lot of time to be messing around with a big swap like that. It would have to be a summer project where I can work out the kinks and make sure it's as reliable as stock.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[backwoods]

Machine shop if warped and/or needs resurfaced but if its crack youll need a new one bro

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[06 H3]

Bummer..I just had my Head redone at 53K..You've beatin the odds at 84K..but I'm of the opinion now, that the 06 vin model range will all eventually have the head issue..I believe that this is your ace in the hole to get GM to help out...they knew/know about this issue and even posted a bulletin about the VIN range (admission of a known defect)...Personally, I would try the mature and diplomatic approach first with GM and include your service advisor and or Dealers' service manager...take the high road before you go ballistic...least that has always worked for me in most issues like this..

Good luck

FYI:

#PIP3935D: Misfire At Idle Due To Leaking Intake Valves - Supplement To 07-06-01-011 - keywords 2.8L 3.5L compression controls cylinder drivability DTC engine excessive head high L52 LK5 leakage leak down low - (Mar 18, 2008)


Subject: Misfire at Idle due to Leaking Intake Valves - Supplement to 07-06-01-011

Affected:
2006 Hummer H3

and Last 6 of VIN Less than 287591​

I checked my VIN, my last 6 are much less then that lol.

When was the first day that the H3 came off the line? Mine was June 8th 2005 IIRC...its gotta be one of the early ones.

 

[f5moab]

Call Hummer assistance center and ask for assistance. Remind them that the Colorado/canyon had their warranty on the head extended to 75K through a bulletinl. And even though you are beyond that, see if they can cover the labor, and you cover the part or vice versa.

Head is a pain to remove unless you have the special tool, or make one up that can retain the timing chain.

If no tool, you must:
Remove the front cover,
To remove the front cover, you must remove the oil pan,
To remove the oil pan you must remove the front axle assembly.

With the tool, the front cover does not need to be removed.

If memory serves me when we came up with the tool, the time to R&R the cylinder head was around 14 hours (warranty), after tool was released and training was given to the techs, the time dropped to around 8 or 9 hours (warranty). I say warrany since Alldata, Mitchell, etc., increase GM paid warranty times by up to 100 percent.

Hunner is also correct. 08's have the lower firewall moved back to allow for the V8 install.

Good luck....

Just have to ask, are you postiive it is the cylinder head? Did they do a compression test, leakage test, etc., to determine the failed head.

 

[06 H3]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be picking her up tomorrow, as I need it for this week and will be getting the test results and finding out what they did.

The install sounds like a pain in the ass.

 

[06 H3]

Just stopped at the dealership before class. They are really cool....I told em that I had to talk to GM and fight with them to get the price down and the service advisor said he will call and see what he can do...even if he can't get anywhere the offer was super nice. Let's see what he can do.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk