RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (Full Version)

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RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems

Dennis -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 11:27:36 AM)
The information is misleading as far as how long one can go on an oil change...the range varies depending on your driving style and conditions..anywhere from 7,500 to 12,000 miles (per the H3 oil change reminder system)...I had a GM engineer living next door and he said only the Vetts come from the factory will synthetic oil (Mobil 1) and the rest all come with Petrol based oil...So that's all I can go by..who knows for sure?? Beats me.

RutDogg -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 11:43:39 AM)
The reason I change my synthetic oil every 3K miles is because I don't drive my H3 very often and because oil breaks down over time. I have had my H3 for about a year and I only have 8500 miles on it. I know people say that heat and friction cause oil to breakdown, but so does time. If I were to change my oil every 12K miles then I would'nt need an oil change for the first year and a half of ownership and you shoud NEVER keep oil that old circulating through the engine. Secondly, It's a personal preference. When I was young my dad always preached changing your oil every 3 months or 3K miles. I have always to stuck that type of oil changing regimen. The reason I use synthetic oil is because it's more advanced than regular oil, it holds it's viscosity longer than regular oil (in other words it doesn't breakdown as quickly), and lastly because the cost to use synthetic oil over regular is marginal and I think my H3 is worth the extra $10 per oil change. Oh...and I do all of my own oil changes which is why the cost isn't too much of a factor.

Fireman -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 12:28:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LawWyfe Ohhhh Denny, not to be a PITA, but I'm still perplexed here. If it comes with petrol based oil, why do they tell a person that they can go 12K miles before oil change and what about the "oil life remaining" report from OnStar? If this is not accurate info, it really chaps my hide that I could have potentially gone wayyy too long without doing an oil change on what I thought was syn oil but was really petrol. Fortunately, I have always been one who was faithful about regular oil changes and I felt very uneasy about waiting the 12K which is WHY I instructed them to change it at the 6K mile mark while it was in for the repair. Then I find you guys here and see that many of you DO change much sooner even with the syn oil. Of course I will continue with the syn oil and more frequent changes as I understand the debris & yuck in the oil concept. I'm pretty sure it comes with dino oil, and not synthetic. The reason that you're able to run longer is the idea that the computer will adjust the remaining oil life based on your driving habits. For instance, not all engine time is turning the odometer. I may get less oil life than you do because perhaps I leave mine idling more often .. etc, things like that. The 3000 mile oil change is based on a rule of thumb. Since no one will know exactly how you drive your car, or how long it will run while not turning miles, they used to throw out the 3000 mile safety net. Stop and go traffic, dusty areas etc are all harder on the oil life than just cruising down the road at a set speed. Even with the puter telling me when I should change the oil, I still have chosen to change it on or near 3000 miles. That's just my prefference. I'd reather error on the side of caution.

sjr21805 -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 12:54:24 PM)
I get my oil chaged every 7 to 8 thousand miles (depending on when I'm closer to the dealership). I have almost 40,000 miles and just started having problems with the head/valve 2 weeks ago.

LawWyfe -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 1:03:58 PM)
THANKS Guys for the info! [:)] I guess whether or not it came with synthetic oil is a mute point now since I had it changed (supposedly) while the repair was done. OK so what did they replace it with? That is still an important issue I guess..bottom line is I will do regular oil changes!

RutDogg -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 3:43:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LawWyfe THANKS Guys for the info! [:)] I guess whether or not it came with synthetic oil is a mute point now since I had it changed (supposedly) while the repair was done. OK so what did they replace it with? That is still an important issue I guess..bottom line is I will do regular oil changes! Hey Sarah [:)]....Usually you have to specify that you want synthetic oil when they do the oil change. Most of the time they will charge you a little extra because synthetic oil costs more. If you don't tell them they will just use the regular oil.

kild1 -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/5/2007 6:46:03 PM)
my 06 had the head replaced at 19988 miles changed the oil every 3k i will change (well dealer will change) the oil every 3k on the 07 also always have always will the dealer charges 30 bucks here in memphis and they wash it too and every 4th change is free and they feed ya hotdogs and coke while ya wait cant beat that with a stick [:D]

Voodoo -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/6/2007 7:24:04 AM)
I have had my H3 for close to a year now. Purchased end of Feb. 2006 and have just over 19,000 miles on it and have yet to throw an error code. I check with a buddy in the parts dept. of my Hummer dealership and he told me that my VIN# was within the block that was having head problems. Just awaiting my turn I guess. My buddy also told me that he and his wife both have H3's and both have had to have the heads replaced. BTW, I also run Mobil 1 and change every 5k miles. The bigest concern about the head/valve issue is that I have made at least 3 trips from Texas to Colorado (approx.1.8k miles round trip) and plan more, and that last thing I would want to happen is for the truck to crapp out in the middle of the New Mexico badlands. Could I possible request the 10yr / 100k mile extended warranty without haveing experienced these issues since my VIN# falls in the group?

LawWyfe -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/6/2007 9:18:40 AM)
I don't blame you for your uneasiness there with all that traveling. Apparently the issue effects some differently. Mine occurred while I was on a 2000 mile trip, and I was able to drive 1000+ miles back home and to the dealer with no problems (other than very rough idle.) You could try to request the warranty but I doubt you would have much luck with it UNTIL you have a problem. I had a heck of a time getting them to extend mine, but then I've been fighting them since November. Last word, they agreed much more readily, HOWEVER, I have yet to get that letter from GM. And as of yesterday, my service writer says the system does NOT indicate any warranty changes for me. (SO back to the phone I go!) So for those of you who got satisfaction quickly and easily....until you have that letter in your hands, it isn't written in stone - so keep your eyes out for it!

HummerMary -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/6/2007 9:37:21 AM)
had head changed at 12,600 miles. changed to synthetic @ 3k miles.

FordTruck -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/6/2007 6:00:52 PM)
Dealer told me there is no need to run synthetic oil in H3s and to go about 8k miles before change.

LawWyfe -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (2/6/2007 6:19:14 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FordTruck Dealer told me there is no need to run synthetic oil in H3s and to go about 8k miles before change. No, there is no need to use synthetic oil. It is a matter of personal opinion and preference as to what one chooses to use oilwise. My dealer told me I could wait until the change oil light comes on which is typically (according to him) between 12,000 -15,000 miles. After reading many posts here with regard to regular vs. synthetic oil, MY preference is to go synthetic for various reasons. (That and the fact that we run synthetic thru the vette as well and like how it runs.) I for sure don't want all the breakdown crud running thru my engine for that period of time/mileage! The guys here have taught me well! [:)]

Hummmm3 -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (5/1/2008 7:22:40 AM)
hey guys , brought mine from a hummer dealer used .....2006 h3 24,000.... My question /??????? Can I start putting synthetic oil in it at my next oil change??? Will it hurt anything if I start running now?? I ran my f150 after 12,000 miles (bought used)..it ran great .....105000 miles later.... just wondering??? Thanks John

Doc Olds -> RE: For People Who Have Experienced Head/Valve Problems (5/1/2008 8:27:19 AM)
Yes you can. There are a bunch of synthetic oil threads, please search them and enjoy. [sm=lockeddance.gif] I am locking this old thread for reading only. [sm=lockeddance.gif]

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