Here we go -- Head Replacement in progress.

[Drew Slothower]

Looking through the forum, I see some of the horror stories with the H3 head's being replaced. I hope I'm not in for a long repair process...

I was driving into work, and getting on the PA turnpike on ramp, my H3 simply shut off. I had three error codes appear -- Reduced Power, Traction Control Failed, and Stability System Error. I pulled off to the side of the road, turned off the truck, and tried to turn it back on. Then the gauges read, no fuel and the check engine light was on! I turned off the H3 one last time, and then waited for a tow.

This was last Thursday, before the three day weekend. Once I got to the dealer, they said that it may take some time to get to me, so they gave me a rental..

The dealer looked at it on Friday, and I got the call. "Your head needs to be replaced." Also, the fuel issue was caused by a faulty fuel sender device (I don't remember the exact part). Because of the holiday, they will be able to start working on it Tuesday, into Wednesday. Hopefully I'll have the H3 back on Thursday.

I started a case file with Hummer customer relations, and I am awaiting a call back sometime next week.

I bought a new car, hoping for a reliable vehicle driving around my new family (son is on the way!).. but now I'm second guessing my decision.

How many of you have had this service, and have either had follow on problems (rough idle, lower gas mileage, etc.) or who have had no problems since this fix? My truck was delivered to me Jan 28 2006.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

You did buy a good reliable vehicle !

I bought 2 of them the same month you bought yours... little problems, SURE, and a big one now and then but no more then I had with my 64 1/2 Mustang, my 70 GTO, my 85 Voyager, my 92 Voyager, my 98 Camry, my 58 Caddy, my 57 Ranch Wagon, my 58 Bug Eye. my 62 Super Eagle, my 58 FLH, my 92 Sportster or my 96 FXDS-Conv.

It sounds you are handling the problem correctly. Keep records, they will fix it and you will be back on the road. Sorry it happened on a long weekend, HELL sorry it happened at all!

Have a Happy Memorial Day

AND

EVERY DAY thank a CoastGuardsMen !!!

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by Drew Slothower

Looking through the forum, I see some of the horror stories with the H3 head's being replaced. I hope I'm not in for a long repair process...

I was driving into work, and getting on the PA turnpike on ramp, my H3 simply shut off. I had three error codes appear -- Reduced Power, Traction Control Failed, and Stability System Error. I pulled off to the side of the road, turned off the truck, and tried to turn it back on. Then the gauges read, no fuel and the check engine light was on! I turned off the H3 one last time, and then waited for a tow.

This was last Thursday, before the three day weekend. Once I got to the dealer, they said that it may take some time to get to me, so they gave me a rental..

The dealer looked at it on Friday, and I got the call. "Your head needs to be replaced." Also, the fuel issue was caused by a faulty fuel sender device (I don't remember the exact part). Because of the holiday, they will be able to start working on it Tuesday, into Wednesday. Hopefully I'll have the H3 back on Thursday.

I started a case file with Hummer customer relations, and I am awaiting a call back sometime next week.

I bought a new car, hoping for a reliable vehicle driving around my new family (son is on the way!).. but now I'm second guessing my decision.

How many of you have had this service, and have either had follow on problems (rough idle, lower gas mileage, etc.) or who have had no problems since this fix? My truck was delivered to me Jan 28 2006.

Not one of those codes, that appeared, indicate a head problem. (How did they appear?) If there is a head problem you will get a misfire code. The engine shutting down is probably caused by the damage fuel system component (sounds like the fuel pump), when the head starts to go you first feel a rough idle (rougher than normal), then eventually, the engine light comes on, and you get the P-codes denoting misfire.

[ChiHummer3]

That sucks man! Hummer will take care of you though.

Sounds like you're staying on top of things. Take notes on everything that is said and done, and if they are replacing the head, hopefully you'll end up with an extended warranty like most people do.

It is weird that you got all of those error codes. Historically, like f5 said, that's not what comes up when it's the head. Let them call it what they want - as long as they fix it.

Don't second guess your purchase though. The H3 is an awesome little rig! You'll be up and running again in no time! Hang in there!

[usetosellhummer]

Hummer will take care of you. with all the current incentives. 0% and 2k rebate see what they would do to get you into a 07. that is what i did.

[Agriv8r]

sorry for your troubles, but if it is the heads the fix is great....not one we have done has come back for any reason...just bear with it...

[Drew Slothower]

I forgot to post: The H3 has approx 21k miles on it, about 1.5 years old.

f5fstop -- the codes I saw on the display were:

Traction Failed
Service Stab Sys
Reduced Power
Check engine light on

then, I turned the car back on:

Fuel showed as empty
Engine light still on

I turned everything off, got out to check everything. I turned the car on a third time:

Only check engine light on.


After the H3 was towed to the dealer, they ran a test saying that the engine failed a pressure test, and the head needed to be replaced. It also sounded like there were some diagnostic codes that were identified as well that told more of the story of the problem.

They said the fuel issue was due to something called the 'Fuel sending system' (I don't have my notes, but they did not refer to it as the fuel pump)

[mln2963]

Since having the head replaced at the beginning of April my mpg has increased! Before I was getting 13.5 - 14 around town. Now I've got up to 14.8.

[Drew Slothower]

Well-

I just got the news from the dealer. The car's been in the shop since before memorial day (May 24th -> today).

They said they have everything back together, but the H3 would not start. I was told they needed to order a "computer" to be replaced. (Not much more detail than that)

Has anyone else had this issue? What could they be referring to with the "computer" on a 1.5 year old truck with 21k miles on it??

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by Drew Slothower

Well-

I just got the news from the dealer. The car's been in the shop since before memorial day (May 24th -> today).

They said they have everything back together, but the H3 would not start. I was told they needed to order a "computer" to be replaced. (Not much more detail than that)

Has anyone else had this issue? What could they be referring to with the "computer" on a 1.5 year old truck with 21k miles on it??

Your Sinclair has gone bad and needs to be relpaced... simple as that

[Drew Slothower]

After a 13 day run without the H3, everything was finally back together and working. Everything seems to be running A-OK, and the service manager showed me everything that was done.

He told me that he had done about 8 H3's at the dealership, and the mechanics have the head replacement down. Much of the delay was due either waiting on parts, or something else breaking.

Here's all that was done:

Head, Cylinder - Replace (This included gaskets, bolts, coolant, oil, and filter)
Sender and / or pump assembly, fuel (Tank Unit) replace.

Then-- the tech said the car would not start after he had it all back together.. so:

Powertrain Control Module Replacement (this was the computer they mentioned)

I now need to touch base with Hummer on my case file, but it sounded like they will be increasing the warranty on the engine.. I'll post more when I get the final info!

[Dani]

Originally Posted by Drew Slothower

I now need to touch base with Hummer on my case file, but it sounded like they will be increasing the warranty on the engine.. I'll post more when I get the final info!

Hopefully you have better luck with your head replacement than I've had with mine. I've had the head replaced 3 times on my H3. The 3rd time they replaced the head- it wouldn't start. My error code came up as the timing.

[westhillsat]

Mine is currently in the shop having the replacement done.
The light came on with a little over 7,000 miles on it.
I have my extended warranty letter in hand.

My second H3 and I would buy another one.

[Drew Slothower]

As everyone recommended, calling GM got me the extended warranty. So I'm covered until 2012 and up to 121k miles.

So far, everything is running a-ok. The dealer did a great job with all of the work, and gave me the car the same way I left it.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback!

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Sweet!

Good outcome. I'm still wondering if I can get the extended warranty in writing before I have a head problem....

[fourfourto]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Good outcome. I'm still wondering if I can get the extended warranty in writing before I have a head problem....

Im wondering too .
What are the odds of it going after 50k
I think there high

[marin8703]

Originally Posted by Drew Slothower

I forgot to post: The H3 has approx 21k miles on it, about 1.5 years old.

f5fstop -- the codes I saw on the display were:

Traction Failed
Service Stab Sys
Reduced Power
Check engine light on

then, I turned the car back on:

Fuel showed as empty
Engine light still on

I turned everything off, got out to check everything. I turned the car on a third time:

Only check engine light on.


After the H3 was towed to the dealer, they ran a test saying that the engine failed a pressure test, and the head needed to be replaced. It also sounded like there were some diagnostic codes that were identified as well that told more of the story of the problem.

They said the fuel issue was due to something called the 'Fuel sending system' (I don't have my notes, but they did not refer to it as the fuel pump)

weird, i got the exact same codes and lights (except for the fuel gauge malfunction) when my ABS encoder craped out.

what would traction and stab system have to do with a bad head?

glad you got it taken care of though.