So many small problems with my h3

[poweraidon]

I have so many small problems with my h3 and it's really annoying... After I fix one thing another thing comes up. Right now I have engine oil leaking, check engine light that ever goes away (it was something with the gas cap I replaced a new and it's still there),slightly worn or broken motor mount, and grinding noise in the rear probably the brakes. I'm only 17 and all the cost to repair these things are breaking my bank. Do you guys have these or other small issues with your 3?


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[Hummer H3]

Sorry to hear about all the small issues. I have an '06 H3 and until recently it's been rock solid!! Mine has 180K miles on it and I have had to replace and repair normal wear items (brakes, shocks, battery etc.). If you are willing to perform the repairs yourself the cost can be lowered substantially.

 

[Airborne]

How long have you had your H3, and how many miles are on it?

 

[poweraidon]

How long have you had your H3, and how many miles are on it?

I have only had for 4 months and it has about 87k on it


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[poweraidon]

And a pinion seal leak [emoji58]


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[Hayden]

At 18 i completely understand the breaking the bank part! Gotta misfire that i thought i had fixed, upper ball joint is bad, need new breaks, the list goes on man


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[Airborne]

Ok well let's start from the begining...

Based on some of your wheeling pics it's easy to see you enjoy your Hummer. Which is a great thing. That being said. When I was 17 and enjoyed my Jeep. The jeep may have not enjoyed it so much. Things like a worn/broken engine mount... Ya that will happen from time to time if you happen to wheel it a little aggressively. Escpecially things like mudding where you are going full balls out and hit a rut, a stump, a rock etc etc. There will be a jar the vehicle takes from it and things will wear out and break.

I know it sounds basic but it is something you might not think about while you are wheeling it.

87k miles isnt a ton. But it is getting up toward the end of the normal service life for most parts on most GM vehicles. That service life is considerably less when things are used more or used hard.
Basically things breaking on a vehicle like this is very very normal when it is used like we use them. Yes it is not fun afterward because it costs more money to fix what ever you broke.

A suggestion would be to take care of the things that have issues now, the oil leak, def the pinion seal leak if it is bad enough, the motor mount when you can get to it. Before more stuff breaks. Fixing a small problem so it doesn't turn into a big one is usually cheaper and easier.

The gas cap thing might be a fluke, I would look around to see if any one else has reported that too. If after you look here and can't find it maybe check the Colorado/Canyon forums for the info they have pretty similar issues we have with our H3's.

As far as I am concerned my H3 is miles ahead of either Grand Cherokee that I owed. I have taken it places my cherokees wouldn't have dreamt to go. The jeeps weren't slouches either. But when I wheel it I expect to get things broken every once in a while.

To finish out; if you want to wheel it, then like most everyone else on here will probably say, you will have to fix it too at some point.

 

[Airborne]

One more thing. Like the another member said above. If you do it yourself it will cost less. I prefer to the repairs my self not because it costs less but I like working on my Hummer and it helps me learn more about it. I am not a ton older than you but I have learned if you do it yourself you will know how much it costs and why.

I say find a service manual for the H3 and start knocking out what you can yourself. Schwartzy has most diagrams listed on his site. A huge wealth of info for FREE!!!!
http://schwarttzy.com/h3-hummer/
Not to mention he makes great product for your 3 when you get it up and working well again.

 

[Airborne]

Also here is a detailed 4x4 "servicing check list". A lot won't apply to our H3's as exact part match up but greasing this and lubing that still applies in principal. It will help keep your rig runner better for longer and of course keep the $$$$ costs down for repairs.
http://www.4wdmechanix.com/Jeep-4WD-Lube-Oil-and-Filter-Service.html

 

[lugantom]

Well, yes, my H3 has had a lot of nagging problems. Some big, some small. I just dropped $800 to replace the heater core, then had two more small things break (not doin' the heater core on my own - have to take out pretty much the whole dash). Bottom line - even if as reliable as I would have liked, this is not an inexpensive vehicle to operate. I love my H3's design and performance, but it sucks gas and requires a lot of repairs. For me it's been the 4x4 equivalent of a Lancia sports car.

My two oldest are driving - one has a 2001 Neon that my sister gave him and one has a 1996 Avalon that his grandma gave him. Those are cheap cars to operate.

I feel your pain - when I was broke and had a wife and just two kids, I kept my old '83 RC going. Once in a blue moon we got money ahead and I did something cool - like rebuild the axles or drop in a crate motor. But usually I just busted my knuckles keeping it running. I did have a LOT of fun wheeling with that truck.

So - when money is tight, drive something inexpensive. When funds allow, get that H3 back on the trail!

Sorry if that's not helpful, but truth is, if your experience is like mine, that H3 will never stop sucking the $$$ from your wallet.

 

[Panzer07]

You should think about a extended GM warranty I'm purchasing another soon...I paid $2,000 for a 2 year extended warranty and toward the last year of it, it came handy I had labor done on my truck for close or over $ 5,000 just a thought buddy


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[poweraidon]

You should think about a extended GM warranty I'm purchasing another soon...I paid $2,000 for a 2 year extended warranty and toward the last year of it, it came handy I had labor done on my truck for close or over $ 5,000 just a thought buddy


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Can I still buy that? Because mine is pretty old it's a 06


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[Panzer07]

Mine is an 07 and I ask the GM dealer where I take the truck for the repairs and they say that yeah...they gave me some prices...about 2,500 for 2 years and the one they sell cover more stuffs than the one I had...I think the warranty change from dealer or location or perhaps year...but anyways coming back to topic...I don't see why you wouldn't be able to get one...as well you should've got the extended warranty when you first got your truck...I almost made the mistake of refusing mine because it was going to add 2,000 more but after using it I was happy I wasn't stingy. Anyways you should go to a GM dealer and give it shot...it doesn't hurt I believe they have finance for the extended warranties as well.


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[poweraidon]

Mine is an 07 and I ask the GM dealer where I take the truck for the repairs and they say that yeah...they gave me some prices...about 2,500 for 2 years and the one they sell cover more stuffs than the one I had...I think the warranty change from dealer or location or perhaps year...but anyways coming back to topic...I don't see why you wouldn't be able to get one...as well you should've got the extended warranty when you first got your truck...I almost made the mistake of refusing mine because it was going to add 2,000 more but after using it I was happy I wasn't stingy. Anyways you should go to a GM dealer and give it shot...it doesn't hurt I believe they have finance for the extended warranties as well.


Sent From Someone Else's iPhone 'Cause I'm Too Broke To Own One.

I will call them tomorrow and ask. I bought it from a used cars dealership so they didn't offer any warranties. I will definitely get it if they offer it.


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[Panzer07]

Oh ok mine was used to but it was from a Chevy dealer...but yeah buddy give it a shot...just make sure is GM or Chevy so they don't make a big dealing you have to make a claim.


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[Spectre]

Ouch that sucks. My hummer actually just pulled me through a rough time by not breaking. Made he jump to being self employed about a year ago and...well...times were slow. Thankfully she made it through the winter and got me here.

I would check on the warranty. I tried to but since I picked mine up used from a Nissan dealer they wouldn't let me get a GM warranty. If all else fails, look into aftermarket warranty's. I have a drivetrain one just in case. I know people have different opinions on 3rd party warranty's, but I think they are better than nothing. I actually got mine through my credit union, it was a really good deal for piece of mind.


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[Best4x4]

Good thing u don't drive a Jeep. I had more issues/repairs on both my 05 Wranglers that I used to get the 20.00 credit at auto zone at least once a month.... Since switching to my H3's I haven't been working on them nearly as much minus regular maintenance stuff.

 

[Bigunit]

Or call GMPPdirect and see if they will still offer you the GM extended warranty on your rig.

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[High Five H2]

hey, it may break the bank but you'll gain a lot of experience and satisfaction from fixing it yourself. I had an old camaro in college that I repaired over and over and over. I rebuilt the engine, diagnosed some tranny problems, replaced just about every engine accessory. but I have a lot of good memories working on it and being able to do it myself. Of course, I made a lot of mistakes and had to fix things twice, but that's part of the process. so there's the bright side!

 

[poweraidon]

hey, it may break the bank but you'll gain a lot of experience and satisfaction from fixing it yourself. I had an old camaro in college that I repaired over and over and over. I rebuilt the engine, diagnosed some tranny problems, replaced just about every engine accessory. but I have a lot of good memories working on it and being able to do it myself. Of course, I made a lot of mistakes and had to fix things twice, but that's part of the process. so there's the bright side!

I don't have much knowledge or tools for working on cars... Maybe I'll start learning now lol


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[High Five H2]

everyone's got to start somewhere. this is a great forum for asking questions, too. no jerks here.

 

[ABNTROOP]

no jerks here.

Well that's not true, I'm a...

:giggle:

 

[Bigunit]

X2! ...but at least I have my mom, wife, son, dogs, law partners, retired and current ops and a handful of friends in my corner who believe in me! That's A-OK with me. Plus, we have great members here who have made this a great forum and my HUMMER home.

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[chaos254]

No money means you need to learn to fix things on your own. Thats how I got started working on my cars. you cant really go wrong now especially with the abundance of information on forums and tons of how to's on you tube.

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[Airborne]

Good thing u don't drive a Jeep. I had more issues/repairs on both my 05 Wranglers that I used to get the 20.00 credit at auto zone at least once a month.... Since switching to my H3's I haven't been working on them nearly as much minus regular maintenance stuff.

As my 5 year old would say... Plus 20 million++++.

I have never had any vehicles with more problems than my Jeeps. That was the biggest reason I stepped away from them.

This Hummer is truly a walk in the park. In fact I have gone out of my way to replace things because they "might be going out" with the hummer.. That is out boredom vs the contrast on how much I had to fix those damn jeeps due to necessity.
Want to talk about a money pit? Buy a jeep. :thumbs:
Whether you wheel it or not, you will be fixing it all the time.