OK, so my H3 is still under 100K miles (actually 93K), but the last 6 months have been quite the expense.

In April, I had a slew of service, but these 2 in particular are of issue.

1- Pan Gasket Leaking - REPLACED
2- Differential Mount Worn - REPLACED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT (Cross Member).

So I go back mid May and they are telling me that the following repairs need to be done:

1- Oil Pan Gasket
2- Differential Mount

This means

1- I do not understand anything about this vehicle
2- They didn't do the job the first time.
3- they are referencing something else

Anyone have any ideas?

thanks

 

They are referencing something else.

So they replaced the Front differential, now it is the rear that needs to be replaced.

They replaced the Trans Pan Gasket, now it is the Oil Pan gasket.

Price for this is over $2K.

Last 6 months have put in over $5K into this....

 

I believe I put about 10k in repairs on my H3 over the course of time I had it. My transmission also died at 70k miles (due to radiator leak). They are not cheap to keep running

 

Not everyone can but if you are able and willing to learn turning a wrench as you go that would have cost you a fraction of what you paid. Labor is almost always the biggest part of the bill.

 

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Thanks Bruce's. Well said.

 

Who is "they"? To whom are you taking this vehicle for service???

A dealership is the last place on earth to take your vehicle for service.

Without knowing your answer, I can tell you go to a REPUTABLE LOCAL Auto Service facility. I have never heard of a H3 rear differential needing replacement at 93K miles. You should change the diff lube, the rear diff has a drain plug and a fill plug, all you need to do is buy the correct fluid per the owner's manual.

Is your truck dripping oil on the ground? If not, you do not need an oil pan gasket.

Knowledge is power, learn some automotive knowledge, otherwise repair shops see your wallet coming long before you walk in the door.

 

I bought mine used at 61,000 miles. I just now, other than routine maintenance and tires, spent the first real money on mine at 117,000 miles. New calipers and rotors up front. My brakes began pulsating because my calipers began sticking and because I was lazy and didn't chase it right away it cost me a set of rotors too because the developed high spots due to warping.
Other than that she runs great and is very comfortable and reliable. Just got 17.6mpg on a 600 mile trip this past weekend.

 

My biggest expenses were tranmission fluid and coolant mixing, and remachining my vavles, 2 things I didn't want to do myself. The rest was extraneous parts and maintenance that I was able to handle. Even working on it yourself I don't feel like it's the cheapest truck out there to maintain, but I'm def not a mechanic. I was commuting daily with mine tho so it was getting a lot of use. I guess it wasn't that bad over the course of 6 years but any other truck I wouldn't have put that much into keeping it running. Only reason I sold it is that I like my H2 better. I now commute to work in a little Honda

 

Dealership I have trusted for years.

Not leaking oil from the pan gasket.

Going to get it checked out by my non-dealership mechanic.

Knowledge. That is why I am here!

 

Last vehicle I worked on was a 1967 Shelby GT500.

Would love to change the spark plugs myself on the H3, but cannot find anything for an Alpha, just the I-5.