HEAD AND VALVE ISSUE - Page 4

Thank you folks, that is reassuring.

Frank

It looks like I may be purchasing a 2006. My local dealer has a large number of them in stock and there are some incentives going on for the 2006.

Are there any problems with the 2006 models? Or am I better off waiting to work a deal on a 2007?

You will get a better warranty with the 2007 - an extra year and 50,000 more miles. i do not think the extra 20 hp is a big deal. I would buy a 06 that was made after April 1st due to possible head issues.

How can you tell the build date? Does the dealer have to disclose this if you ask for it?

Thanks

Hey All.. I'm a newbie here... I have a YELLOW H3 (wouldn't have any other color)... I have a little over 21K miles and haven't had any valve/head issues (should I say I'm the lucky one or maybe knock on wood)...  I'm looking at purchasing an extended warranty, but I'm still trying to figure out if it is even worth the $2300.00 I'm going to spend on it...  any comments.. 

Hi Gizzy and welcome,
 
I personally think it's a safe bet you'll be okay now...But there is one or two people that has had the problem pop up in their 30's...So it is a good question if any of us in the problemed VIN range will ever be completely out of the woods on this Valve seat issue..I said it before..I hope mine if it happens, happens sooner and not later, because folks are getting the extended warranty on the engine from GM after the fix..

I too have been bitten by the "Killer Head" monster... My H3 has less than 5000 miles and the check service light come on around 4500 miles. When I took it to the dealer, they said the exact same thing... your hummer needs a new head and that they've already done several because of the misfiring and service light issues I was having. This is my 2nd Hummer, as I had the H2 a couple of years ago. Although, I think the vehicle is a nice little truck for the price, there is little comparison to the H2 series in terms of luxury. Given what I've read here, I'm going to wait and see... if the truck performs well, and doesn't have any further problems I'll keep it for a while, if it does, I'll toss it and move on. I do however wish that GM would be more forthcoming with their information, as when I called GM they claimed not to know anything about the matter... I guess they're not members of this forum. -- Maybe the forum administrator should send GM's CEO a membership so they can read the issues we are facing !!! 
 
BTW, is there a way to identify the new and improved head vs the old soft valve version?
 
Thanks,
FDT
 

welcome to the forun, make sure you vote on our poll about the head issue!!
 
BTW...to compare an H3 to an H2 in the luxery dept. is not very fair....thats comparing a $60,000 truck to a $30,000 truck.... The h3's were developed to compete with vehicles in their class.....exploder, JGC, Wrangers and the rest of those jap crap trucks...not the h2's.

Just for my own information and everyone else has anyone got a truck beyond vin last eight 68287591 that has had a cylinder head replaced? Steve

Thanks for the welcome "ImportKiller." BTW, nice choice in video clips..

In any event, you're right, the comparison is not a one-to-one. The price difference is too vast. However, GM could have thrown in a few perks to keep in line with the H2's upper scale packages. Some of the other vehicles you mentioned have minor perks, which the H3 lacks and which make the H3 feel too much like a Ford Explorer. I would have gladly paid extra for automatic A/C, steering wheel radio controls, an on board computer, outside electrically folding mirrors, etc. However, none of these were available on the H3 (that I know of). I'm hoping the 2008 models have such features.

Ford did something in the mid 90s that was quite interesting. -- They posted a website asking for consumer input on their Explorers. I think Ford made a better product (comfort wise) because of this. Hummer should consider doing the same, but then again, who are we to suggest changes, we're only the consumers...LOL

BTW, do you know how we'll be able to distinguish the new version of the heads (different part numbers, any different markings, etc) from the old ones or is it transparent to the consumer?

Thanks,
FDT

I don't think you will be able to tell the difference in the heads by looking at them externally. Unless the part number has changed and you can see where the # is cast in the head? Don't know really. 
 

Hello all:

I have a 06 H3 with 7300 miles that was just in for service for the engine light and the head/valve issue was diagnosed by the dealer.

They also told me that the "redesigned" head/valve part is on national backorder with no ETA but they are guestimating it will be about 3 weeks before the part is in.

Anyone have any further information on availablity of the part?  The truck is running horrible and also studdering on acceleration etc.

Thanks all

Larain, sorry for your troubles..did you cast your status on the head pole?

Dennis:

I just posted on the head poll.  Thanks.

Hello everybody, been awhile since I posted but I visit the forums almost daily. I notice my truck falls within the vin range. My question is, I notice most of these cases are midwest and some in Florida.  Has anyone had this issue in California or anywhere West?   Just curious.  Thanks

there are a few on another forum from cali that are having it done. Actually shellback is a Cali guy I believe. I'm in NJ and I need it done as well, and my dealer has done more than a few was his exact words.

I have 2006 H3.  Been in shop 5x now. 4x4 sensor or something.  Stibilitrack sensor replaced.  broken break part.  few other minor things.  now my engine light is on and onstar says the car is missfiring.  have 5,500 miles on it and i drive it like an old lady. 

Is it yellow...?
 

2006 H3 with adventure package.  I went on roadtrip and at about 1000 miles on my new H3 the 4x4 / stabilitrack service lights came on in the middle of the mountains.  4x4 didnt work my whole vacation. I was still glad to have my H3 on my trip no 4x4 and all. Its best car ever made I cant imagine driving anything else.  Turned out to be some kind of sensor box or something, id have to look at the service slip.  No big deal, service was great fixed it in 30 min no appointment.  Now im at about 6,000 miles and I noticed my rear brakes kind of grind or slip sorta especially when wet.  I think this is normal.  When i hit the brakes kind of hard not too hard maybe going about 20 mph when ive almost stopped  I hear this grinding comming from middle of the car.  Maybe from the transmission or driveshaft I dont know anything about cars.  No big deal if its not normal I know service will fix it.  Now im getting little worried.  I was just sitting in fast food drive thru when I noticed my H3 idling rough or sputtering a little.  I didnt know if it was because I had my windows down and was leaning my arm outside and just really never noticed that before.  Then my check engine light came on.  I call onstar they say my H3 is misfiring or something.  I treat my h3 like a baby.  wash it all the time.  I drive it real slow.  Ive never stepped on the gas hard.  I try slowly coast to a stop so i dont use lot of my brakes. This h3 is mint.  Smells like the day i brought it home. Now if I have to have engine work done to it like I read here in this forum I will cry.  I will not be a happy camper.  I will not want to own this H3 if i have to have valve head whtevr work done on it, it is BRAND NEW!  I will do whatevr it takes to get a 2007 H3.  Its one of the best cars made but I will not stand for this.  I think everyone should buy a H3, my opinion is still real high.  I beleive what I read here is true that its only a few H3s that have this problem but those people should be taken care of.  I wont mention other minor issues ive had, im not here to bash the H3.  Its the greatest car.  Just wanted to make note of my experience.   Engine service @ 6000 miles, NO THANK YOU 

I understand your fustration, trust me I do, but there is nothing to demand an 07 over if you do have to have new heads installed. It's nothing more than having service replace a broken transfer case module (probably the reason for your stabiltrac message flashing and for you losing 4 wheel lock mode.) You still had 4x4 at that time as the h3 is a full time 4x4, you just couldn't select a different gearing 4x4 mode.(high lock or low).
 
replacing the head is not that major of a job, it's not like your motor is getting rebuilt or bored, old head comes off, new head goes on, pretty simple really.

I think I have a head issue because my h3 idols very rough, to the point it vibrates..  but the dealer ran a diag and came back to tell me it was working as designed..  (also note i have not seen my engine light on and I have tried several diff gas stations.. )

Sounds like the head issue which seems to have a variance of symtoms/behaviors.  Mine occurred while on a 2000 mile road trip to the mountains.  Drove fine 3/4 of the way there, then all of a sudden immediately after a new tank fill the jerking and vibrating at idle.  Never a check engine light, drove fine once we stepped on the gas...but when sitting at idle it jerked and vibated like crazy almost as if going to stall.  Then the dreaded Onstar email...
 
So, what does your monthly OnStar report say? Push the blue button and have them run a check...see if they say "engine misfire."  As for your dealer, if it is running that roughly - there is a problem period..maybe not the head issue but they just dont run that roughly!
 
As for the other new post H3max, get in line with the rest of us unhappy campers...get it fixed, drive a nice loaner car while it's getting fixed, insist to GM on an extended warranty, get over it as it will get fixed at no expense to you you should be fine then...is it an inconvenience? Sure, should it happen? NO but SH*T happens!

Welcome to GM...I love my truck truck now after the issues have been resolved....I agree - fight for the extended warranty.. It really is comforting...
 
I am going 4 wheeling today.... Just thought I'd rub it in...(kidding)... but I am 4 wheeling....
 
beach

With the cost of the damn thing, there should not be such a problem.

Oh I agree 100%, if it wasn't for the Service Department's responsiveness and extended warranty I would be fuming... but I am cool now...
 
Just not sure why the known head issue isn't a recall...
 
Beach