got my check engine light this morning in traffic

[Mike E]

I've witnessed 3 head jobs on H3's in our shop so far. We have 3 techs that can have it done in less than 2 days. It's pretty ugly looking when they get it all apart put the new head assembley drops right in on top of the block and they put everything back to gether. It wouldn't bother me one bit if I had to have this done to mine.

We have allowed customers to drive thier H3 until the new head arrived. The tech clears the codes and changes the timing a bit so the engine runs smooth. Hasn't caused a problem yet.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by usetosellhummer

I told you man, them telling you you can drive with that problum is bull.
If you get the light...
1. contact onstar
2. get conected to raodside assistance
3. get truck towed and you get a free rental

We have a company vehicle that has been running for about 7K now, with the cylinder head issue. I know a few who have traveled well over 3K with the cylinder head issue. So, it appears some can.

As for cutoff. The new cylinder head for the 3.5L went into production March 31, 2006. So, vehicles with engines built after that date would have the new cylinder head. However, the plant could have had some of the older engines on site so I do not have a VIN cutoff for vehicles.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I've witnessed 3 head jobs on H3's in our shop so far. We have 3 techs that can have it done in less than 2 days. It's pretty ugly looking when they get it all apart put the new head assembley drops right in on top of the block and they put everything back to gether. It wouldn't bother me one bit if I had to have this done to mine.

We have allowed customers to drive thier H3 until the new head arrived. The tech clears the codes and changes the timing a bit so the engine runs smooth. Hasn't caused a problem yet.

That's brilliant....did you catch this "M" ???

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

That's brilliant....did you catch this "M" ???

Problem is, you cannot change timing, it is all controlled by the PCM, and clearing the codes will only be temporary; these are basically hard codes, not hisotory codes. But I agree, most of them can be driven. It will cause more damage to the cylinder head, but who cares. There is a slim possibility that after X-number of miles, the cat may be damaged

[D-Lux]

Did anyone change there PCM, or have it tuned and then have the Head problem come up? I?m asking because I had my PCM tuned and installed it last week ?everything has been running GREAT? until my problem this morning. I have a ?06 with 33000 miles.

[f5fstop]

Has nothing to do with the PCM or the calibration. Totally a cylinder head issue.

[D-Lux]

Thanks, that's good to know. I didn't want to take that PCM out again, that was a pain plugging it back in.

[Black_H3]

My head cacked at about 19k miles. I am over in Gmbh and can't get to my vin # right now but I know my Hummie rolled off the line in Sept 05', so it was one of the first, and like I said in another post my Hummer Dealer has seen a lot of the first ones with these "weak" heads and customers cracking them because of either towing, or high stress on the engine. He took 4 days to do mine, but I also had him do the 20k service and fix a rattle in the rear passenger door. I know he also replaced some other parts on the engine, but can't recall what they where.
When I get back to the states will get my paperwork and see what else he replaced, but all I know is my mpg almost doubled after I got it back.

[usetosellhummer]

ok, then drive the mother! I got a 07 now so i don't care anymore

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by Black_H3

My head cacked at about 19k miles. I am over in Gmbh and can't get to my vin # right now but I know my Hummie rolled off the line in Sept 05', so it was one of the first, and like I said in another post my Hummer Dealer has seen a lot of the first ones with these "weak" heads and customers cracking them because of either towing, or high stress on the engine. He took 4 days to do mine, but I also had him do the 20k service and fix a rattle in the rear passenger door. I know he also replaced some other parts on the engine, but can't recall what they where.
When I get back to the states will get my paperwork and see what else he replaced, but all I know is my mpg almost doubled after I got it back.

I would love to see the last eight of the VIN. Reason: Dealer is full of poopie, I did some checking today, and there are only two cases of cracked heads. Damaaged heads due to abnormal wear of the valve guides is very common on early heads, but cracked....dealer BS. (Not you, dealer. You are only repeating what a dumb a&& dealer is telling customers; thinking it makes them feel better.)

Originally Posted by f5fstop

As for cutoff. The new cylinder head for the 3.5L went into production March 31, 2006. So, vehicles with engines built after that date would have the new cylinder head. However, the plant could have had some of the older engines on site so I do not have a VIN cutoff for vehicles.

F5, There are small white sticky bar coded labels all over the truck, hidden away in the dash, and on parts of the chasis indicating the date and various times for different items. One example wasn't really secured so I pulled it off and kept it in my file for reference.
It says, " D8X 00503671 3/27/2006 12:41:32 PM Commodity: Steering Column" .
I am guessing that this was the Build date for my truck, and the various times indicate when that componnent was installed on the line?

Based on this, I must have an old style head. Should this be a concern? Is the problem wide enough spread that there may be a recall for the '06 Heads?

My last eight are ...68282011

[NEOCON1]

25,308 miles here and alls well . its an early build too

[Demo]

14500 miles, got it off the truck Feb 06, only one out of at least a hundred at the dealer without chrome.

They hadn't had a chance to do it yet.

[CrisB]

Originally Posted by NEOCON1

25,308 miles here and alls well . its an early build too

Sorry, Neo, but you're still at risk...

Took my H3 in today for a tire rotation & full checkup before heading out West next month, dealer called & said they read error messages, my head's gone. They said I had a valve hanging, sounds like worn guides.

Built July of 2005, I got 41000 mi & thought I may be safe.

Good news? I can have it back tomorrow. Sweeeeet.

[NEOCON1]

engine/transmission System [+] Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.


so far so good this was my latest diagnostic keepin my fingers crossed



just wondering how everyone drove their trucks during the brakin period ???

i drove the **** out of mine i broke her in hard

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by NEOCON1

engine/transmission System [+] Diagnostic: Complete. No action needed.


so far so good this was my latest diagnostic keepin my fingers crossed



just wondering how everyone drove their trucks during the brakin period ???

i drove the **** out of mine i broke her in hard

Same here....had to train the tranny to drive my way

[Demo]

I had a rough idle for about a week, then it went away. No check engine light, but I only got about 190 miles to the last tank of gas . Taking it in on the 26th, we shall see.

[Demo]

I drove the crap out of mine too, I always forget to take it easy.

[PackerFever]

Originally Posted by NEOCON1

just wondering how everyone drove their trucks during the brakin period ???

i drove the **** out of mine i broke her in hard

5 speed + Mountain driving and off road the first week.....keeping fingers crossed after 38,000 miles.

[NEOCON1]

Originally Posted by PackerFever

5 speed + Mountain driving and off road the first week.....keeping fingers crossed after 38,000 miles.

hey Fever how ya been man