My sob story: Bought a '08 H3 with 57K miles on it 2 months ago from a tiny used car dealer. Last night I smelled "the smell", noticed a spot on the ground, and opened the hood. I have no mechanical aptitude, but saw it was the radiator (spew pattern). Just took it to a local Meineke and they gave me a written estimate of $1672.42. 800 -radiator, 600 -labor (6 hrs @ 96/hr), thermostat, cap, and hoses. (A rip off, based on quotes here, which I read while they looked at it). So I left, not fixed. Seems like a design flaw. Anyway, not sure of what to do or where to turn now. What should a poor, broke, non-mechanical, non-warranty having person do now?

 

There should be a class action suit with this crap. Same for the cylinder problem.

I saw an ad ( Popular Science)for a class action suit for a problem I had with my Ford Tempo. Seems a crack developed in the electronic module on the distributor that caused the engine to die like my problem. I sent in the bill for the work done to the address for the class action suit never thinking I would hear from them and about 4 months later i get a check in the mail for about $400, what I paid.

Hummer has a design flaw and the buyers should not have to pay for what should never should have gone into production.

 

Take it to a private shop. A chain store or dealer is just going to rip you off. With 57k you do not need a t-stat or new hoses. Radiator and install.

 

I see alot of people complain about a class action suit for this or that. And thats all it is, complaining. Feel free to pay for an attorney to start one at any time. Since Hummer is part of old pre bankruptcy GM your going to have to take a number and a get in line, currently its about ten miles long.

 

HummerH3Girl, after watching this problem for a year now and seeing all the different ways people handle it, my opinion is still the same - take it to a locally owned and respected radiator shop and just have them rebuild your stock radiator. Your stock radiator is better than aftermarket radiators. They will put new tanks on it, clean it out good, fill it with coolant and additive to protect the radiator and you will be in and out for around $250. And you will most likely have a great warranty. Mine is lifetime... Even the guys who pay $100 and hope the dealer will replace it will probably end up with a sub-par aftermarket radiator at this point. $250 and about 3 hours is all it takes to put an end to your problem.

 

My 06' hummer radiator cracked around the top at 68k miles, GM dealership $600 no big whoop. Had it off and running in no time.

 

My '08 had a hairline crack in the top tank in addition to a worn groove in the tank from the radiator support as described by many others in this thread.
Radiator replaced free under warranty.
I took the offending lip off the support with a flapper wheel until I had about 1/4" of clearance and coated it with factory touch-up paint. All good now.

 

I took your advice, Songman, well sort of. I called around to a local radiator shop and got a decent total price of $455 (w/ tax) for a new radiator with a lifetime warranty. Seems fair and reasonable. I am satisfied and I thank you for your help!!

 

Glad you got it worked out. A lifetime warranty is a good feeling!

 

New to the forums, I am looking at a 2008 H3 3.7 it has 21k miles. I have read this whole thread about the radiator problems. Before i buy this H3 can the dealer (service center) do something about this problem b4 i drive it off the lot? And if i do buy it, should i flush out the dexcool and put conventional green antifreeze back in? Thanks for any help! and Merry Christmas to all!