I picked up an 04 with 105k miles last week. The appearance of the truck looks great except for some minor dings and fortunately, the engine and transmission seem to be doing quite well. But now since I have had it a little over a week, it seems like **** is breaking every time I drive it. I did a complete service on the vehicle and since then, it's been going down hill. Both wheel bearings now need replaced. The radiator started leaking on me yesterday. While inspecting the radiator I noticed that the heater core has been bypassed by the previous owner or the dealership. The A/C on occasions blows warm and my mirrors won't fold or adjust anymore. I can hear the mirrors trying but they just make noise. From what I have read, the mirrors I have are the 06 and up replacements.

I also am having issues with the headlights and some other small things. I really like this truck and have wanted on for a long time but I just hope I didn't buy someone else's POS.

 

Did you perform the complete service? This is probably a really stupid suggestion but did you reconnect the heater core to verify that it's leaking (assuming the bypass)? This does suck especially the heater core... Did you charge the AC? There is a fix for the mirror issue within the forum.

Gosh.... Not to rub salt but who checked out the vehicle prior to purchase? With all these things wrong I would take it to the dealer and have them completely go through it. My thinking is if you're planning on keeping it for a while (and it sounds like it was poorly maintained) then let a professional bring it to standard so you can maintain it here on out. Chasing someone else's ghosts can cost more $$$$ than a mechanic - sorry to say. Also, your time is worth money too... Good luck!

 

I did oil, air filter, coolant flush, plugs, wires, but not the transmission fluid. I checked and verified the wheel bearings myself. No I didn't try to reconnect the heater core yet. I am not very familiar with H2's and when I looked at this one and didn't even think of the heater core since it was 90+ degrees in Miami when I was looking at it. The heater core is not in plain sight when looking under the hood so out of sight out of mind. I would reconnect the heater core but the dumb assess cut the hose instead of putting a coupling in to recirculate it. I think that is why I didn't notice it either. I know when I bypassed the heater core on my mustang gt, the hoses were left near the heater core.

If hindsight was 20/20 I would have taken my own mechanic with me to miami but I was 200 miles away and already made 2 trips to look at the H2 and spent 2 days in Miami. I did manage to catch a couple things while I was down there and they fixed them for me. I will contact the dealer on Monday to see if anything can be done. I know the issues I have aren't that pressing or severe as some I have seen on this forum and the truck can still be driven. As long as it runs and drives strong, I'll learn to deal with the other stuff and it will eventually get fixed. Might not be today or tomorrow but it will get done.

 

Sounds like you performed some worthwhile maintenance. When I first purchased my H2 I had all the fluids changed - every single one, and all the other maintenance-type stuff. Some I performed while others I had done. As for a mechanic, I was local and didn't use a mechanic; however, I bought it local and was able to look at it longer. A few things of note - wheel bearings are a common problem with the H2's (though I have not changed mine yet). Do them yourself. There's plenty of people that can guide you here. I know I previously mentioned taking it in but you could save money fixing that than the radiator yourself if you are patient. The heater cores another animal that I wouldn't touch.

The H2's an awesome vehicle and will grow on you very quickly. Think you like it now? You will absolutely love it as time goes on. Keep checking in and let use know it we may help. This is a great forum with knowledgable people and SOMEONE has run into ANY issue :-)

Welcome aboard!

 

Yea I have purchased used cars in the past and usually the first thing I do is do the minor tune up issues. I'll tackle the radiator myself when it comes in. Thinking of doing an external tranny cooler when I do the radiator. I'll probably do the heater core too. I've done a few in the past and does it suck but I can't justify paying someone around $1k right now. Just getting the time to do it will be the hard part.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I already like the vehicle very much and look forward to getting the small repairs complete so I can start adding some cool mods.