H3 We have another one down...

[4speedfunk]

I dread doing this on my H3. I'm sitting 6"+ taller, and I can't imagine what my back would feel like after all day of bending over like that. It would probably be easier to take the hood off, take all four wheels off, and sit the truck down on jack-stands where you could reach things. Hope I never have to find out.

BTW...Does anybody know what exactly the problem is with the head? Why do they fail? Is it a crack, a warp, or what?

 

[Xlr8n]

Should have by end of business today. From the amount of work he is doing I don't feel to bad about the price as long as it feels like a new engine when i get her back
View attachment 8635

For what is involved, I think the goodwill pricing they gave you is reasonable. It should be like new when done.

As far as the failure goes, the research I've done indicated that the 3.5's all had the valve seats that weren't hardened, and some of the early 3.7 heads still weren't hardened correctly. It was supposed to be rectified in the later model years.

 

[Hunner]

The dealer that did mine asked me to remove my winch and brush guard which I gladly did. Then they did remove the front wheels and get it as low as possible to do the work.
I have heard several reasons and don't know which it really was. One was the valve guides and possibly other components or the whole head was not hardened properly allowing the valve seats to deteriorate. I did not get enough time to examine mine as they already had it off when I was called and partially packed up to send in. The tech told me it failed the leak down test so the valves were not seating properly.
I believe they used up all the room there was.

 

[JohnnySpikesH3]

^^^ What HUNNER STATED , is the cause . Now i am a bit foggy , but did i hear that the heads were made in Mexico . Only the blocks were Isuzu ?

 

[4speedfunk]

Interesting. So its safe to say that must replace the head, correct? Same with the head bolts....TTY, I assume?

 

[mkmcgreg]

The tech I talked to today had done numerous of these In Both colorado's and h3's. his reasoning was that the exhaust valves get full of carbon and fail. Not sure I'm not a mechanic but the tech that did mine is there designated head replacement guy. But it's driving great so far!

 

[08H3]

Awesome! Price was fair and the turnaround time was excellent. Your call, but you might give a public shout out for the shop that did it.

 

[4speedfunk]

Cool. Now lets go tear it up!

 

[mkmcgreg]

Awesome! Price was fair and the turnaround time was excellent. Your call, but you might give a public shout out for the shop that did it.

I had Hare Chevy in Noblesville do the work. So far I will recommend them for a head replacement. Just over 24 hours and I am back on the road! However last time I took it in for a axle seal it was a week long ordeal.. Bent brake shield,CEL etc so I don't know yet if they are all around recommendable but they are across the street from my work and I get a discount so it's way to convenient

 

[mkmcgreg]

NEVERMIND!!!!! I am stuck down town engine is screwed not working at all...

 

[mkmcgreg]

NEVERMIND!!!!! I am stuck down town engine is screwed not working at all...

 

[08H3]

Man, how can so much bad luck happen to such a nice guy?? Keep us posted.

 

[mkmcgreg]

Best guess is my timing chain skipped runs but terrible maybe on a cylinder or two.. It shows reduced power traction control errors

 

[mkmcgreg]

My night... I think a conversation with the service manager is order.. That
$1k head replacement just got cheaper in my opinion. ( and yes my t-bars are cranked he has his winch pulling me down) he was however pretty impressed with all my recovery gear as it helped get me up on the flag bed

 

[06 H3]

That blows dude hopefully they get you fixed up soon

 

[08H3]

It sucks, no doubt, but stuff does happen. It's how they handle it from here that will really make the difference in my opinion. Still, I understand how you're feeling, too-- would have been nice to just be done with it and get another 150,000 miles.

 

[mkmcgreg]

It sucks, no doubt, but stuff does happen. It's how they handle it from here that will really make the difference in my opinion. Still, I understand how you're feeling, too-- would have been nice to just be done with it and get another 150,000 miles.

I agree I will go into my conversation very calm. I feel everyone should get the opportunity to make things right first before things get heated. We will see what tomorrow brings

 

[merrillj1]

This is just ridiculous. Cylinder heads should not fail below 100000 mi in this day an age and at this scale. I agree with everyone else, s*** happens and a few failures here and there are to be expected but GM has a manufacturing problem and we are paying for it. It is a hidden defect in thier engines that was not apperant at the time of sale. This should be covered under warrenty. How many people would have bought an H3 if they knew the engine would fail at 80,000 mi. The biggest slap in my face is they extended the warrenty for the Colorado/Canyon guys but not us. Probably because they still sell them. I feel GM dosent care about us. When my cylinder head failed at 74,000 mi GM offered me a $3,000 coupon towards a new truck. They must take me for a fool. Why would I buy another truck from them if they are not going to stand behind their mistakes?

 

[mkmcgreg]

A dirty injector is what they said caused it.. I'm not convinced that was the issue as I feel it would run as it did when I lost a cylinder due to my head right? It would barely run on Saturday and you could hear individual cylinders firing. So unless I had multiple injectors that were dirty I don't buy it.

I have it back already and I have a meeting with the service manager and owner of the dealership to discuss my frustrations.

Thanks for the help and for the first time my wife feels that all the time i spend on h4o has paid off. Had I not known about the head issue I likely would have paid the $2,300 dollars and went on with my day

 

[4speedfunk]

The H3 (and most other modern vehicles) are so complex that problems like this are not uncommon. Its absolutely true that even a small issue can cause the motor to barely run. A dirty injector? Possible. More likely...the service guy forgot to tighten the battery terminals, or some sensor somewhere wasn't completely plugged-on. You drove around for a day and it wiggled loose. Anyway...glad it was minor and you got it back so fast.

Now...back to destroying it!

 

[cgalpha08]

Now...back to destroying it!

As in a badlands run?? There is no way i am waiting till march to go wheeling again...i have the itch and i wanna go!! Haha but seriously i am down for a run basically every weekend.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[mkmcgreg]

I am leaning towards he forgot to plug in a sensor fully and it wiggled loose in the few miles i drove it but they didn't want to admit that

 

[apellafr]

Well been reading all about the head issues, and hoping I was not going to have to deal with it.... bammm check engine light comes on, cleaned the throttle body, cleanded the MAS changed the spark plugs and air filter, light goes off for a day and back on and now running rough. Took it to Brady-Standard in Brewster NY, they do all the diagonstics and come back with low pressure in the #5 cylinder, and will need the head replaced quoted $2,950 plus tax. I asked about the GM Goodwill I have heard people are getting assistance with, but he said they were never a Hummer dealer so they could not offer the Goodwill. So I call Karl Chevrolet (New Cannan, CT) as they were a Hummer dealership and now have to have them come up with the same diagnose. I mentioned the Goodwill and the guy was not too keen about telling me it will come in play. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do love this truck!! Just don't have $3k+ to spend.

 

[3Hummers]

It sucks that with a known issue like this GM won't step up. They have pissed on enough customers for 10 car companies lifetimes. ( but who know, maybe they will step up )