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New and need YOUR ADVICE....purchasing 2008 H3 Sept 2012 having doubts....scared....

is350

Well-Known Member
Messages
202
Location
fallbrook, Ca
i also have an 08 h3 with the 5 cylinder and recently had the same misfire code, the dealer said it could possible be the spark plugs or could also be related to the fuel system being dirty. i had it happen once and hasn't happened since, but if it happens more ill take it in. For your, and my case i hope its not the "dreaded head problem" , that seems to be so common on the 2006-2007 models and occasionally on the the newer models. but CONGRATULATIONS on the H3!!!, it is one of the most amazing vehicles to own.
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
thanks is350 - i've been reading about the dreaded head problem - i pray to the gods its not that omg i've had the h3 not even a full 3 days. i love the h3 but i need reliable!! I find it odd that I just filled it up tip top tank at the shell station with the cheapest gas and then took son to baseball and sat for about 8 minutes with it running in the rain and BAM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I'm scared to drive it now wondering what is going on under that hood?? I just put Lucus injector in with the gas incase the gas is the issue - i was hoping it was simple gas cap but code from autozone is P0305 CYLINDER MISFIRE DETECTED CYLINDER NUMBER 5

PROBABLE CAUSE: ignition system fault spark plug(s) coil
vacuum leak
injector fault
high or low fuel pressure

please be a simple fix - please - taking it back to dealer on Monday morning for them to look at it where i just bought it from - i just want to enjoy it!! so please do tell me if anyone has had this happen to them before and it was a simple fix instead of a HEAD PROBLEM - it seems to be riding fine for now - would a head problem be making it ride terrible?? or just not yet?
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
3hummers i sure hope you are right and it's just spark plug or something 57k miles on it - i feel like the SHELL REGULAR (CHEAPEST) GAS fill up had something to do with this although I could be wrong. I did leave the truck running idle for a while 2x today - didn't think that would be a problem as it was storming raining outside and needed a/c while i waited..... the timing on the light could be a coincident but i filled up the tank tip top - went home - went back out, sat in rain idle waiting on son and light came on. took to autozone and p0305 misfire cylinder 5 is detected. I feel like i'm going to throw up right now i'm so upset and so sick to my stomach. I don't even have the warranty papers in my hand yet. What is this i read about the "misfire at idle due to leaking intake valves supplement to 07-06-01-011 affected 2006 hummer h3 and last 6 of vin less than 287591 because my vin number although a 2008 h3 is less than this number shown. HELP HELP anyone know??
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,673
Location
Scottsdale
Glitter, you're not going to know without troubleshooting, whether you do it yourself or take it to the dealer. It could be a few different things and without someone getting their hands on that engine there's no way to determine it. It could be a bad coil or spark plug, it could be the head issue. Even if it is a head issue it is not the same as the 2006 issue.

If you wanted to get your own hands dirty you could try swapping coils #4 and #5. You could also put in new plugs. Make sure everything's seated well and that water isn't getting into areas it shouldn't. If I recall correctly, #5 is at the back of the engine and all of the coils sit in a basin. Water will collect at the lowest point, which is at the rear. If the coil isn't properly seated that could be an issue. Perhaps the coil has a frayed wire.

Shell gas as a brand isn't "cheap" gas - each grade has detergents and is much better for your truck than grocery store, Costco, off brand gas stations. I highly doubt it is fuel related.

Sometimes an engine that is moderately rough can be addressed through engine cleaner - Chevron's Techron is considered by many to be the best. But I don't think this is a fuel related issue.

The Internet (and here) can point you in the direction of a few different diagnoses but we won't be able to tell you exactly what it is. You'll have to have someone look at it.
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
alrock - thank you for taking time to tell me some things to look at - i have to tell you i just went to bring my son for ice cream and low and behold - the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON NOW - can you explain this one? tomorrow is another day and it may come back on for sure but all i know is it is not raining anymore and i had put lucus in fuel -
the moisture might be the issue being the placement of the 5th cylinder. that is good info -
what do you make of the light not being on now? any thoughts?
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
One more question (for now) - what type of gas do you suggest for H3 - I will NOT be returning to shell just b/c my experience be it related or not - 93 octane the best? please advise??
 

is350

Well-Known Member
Messages
202
Location
fallbrook, Ca
chevron is suppose to be the best , or what i know to be the best. But i second alrock in saying that its probably not your fuel
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,673
Location
Scottsdale
Many opinions on this but I don't think going to higher octane will solve your woes. I'm particular to Chevron and I always try and purchase Top Tier gasoline. http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html. I like Quik Trip as they have good gas and great prices.

I suspect that light may come back on at some point.
 

Reloader

Well-Known Member
Messages
413
Location
Montana a free state
Welcome to the forum. At the Toyota dealership where I work on used cars, we get the occasional car or truck back after the detailers get done with it. The detailers like to get too serious with the pressure washer on the engine compartment and get water in places that it should not get into causing missfires. If there is any carbon tracking on the plugs, coils or ignition wires it doesn't take much moisture to cause a problem. Once the moisture gets cooked out and the engine is hitting on all holes, the CEL would go off after a few drive cycles. Seen this happen even after the car sat on the lot for a while. Good luck.
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
I've read all of the posts and comments - I truly appreciate all of your help. So if i go tomorrow back to the dealer (a toyota dealer) where i bought it....what CHECKLIST should i bring with me that THEY might not be looking for? If this was YOUR H3 what would you tell them at this point?
 

Neo

Badfish
Messages
1,666
Location
Brookings, OR
Drive it around some more and see if the lite stays off. if the engine runs smooth @ about 600 rpm and does'nt die or sputter when the lite is on, i would say Reloader may of nailed it with his diognosis . he works at a dealer and checks the used fleet (if i remember correctly). it really could be that simple...
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
Neo - do you think the heavy heavy rain factor and me letting the h3 sit idle with me in it running a/c while waiting on my son could be any issue? i've read some posts about misfires while idle - ?? i LOVE LOVE DRIVING THIS THING...i get tickled when i have to run out in it. It's so much fun to drive.....I'm just scared that light will come on again. It literally was on for 20 miles at the most while pouring down rain, parked in garage. let sit lucas was put in with full tank of shell gas and started last night - no light. i just dont' want to get away from the dealership i just purchased it from missing something and then the light comes on in two weeks and i'm on my own with my powertrain warranty and taking to a diff dealership for fixing.....
 

autumn walker

Well-Known Member
Messages
707
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
if the light is not flashing, you are not doing any serious damage driving around with it on. if it's flashing stop driving it right away.

I wouldn't take a Hummer to a Toyota garage, I'd look for a GM garage that has experience with Hummers... if you have powertrain warranty let them figure it out.
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
ONLY reason i am taking it back to toyota is bc i don't even have my warranty papers yet - i bought it wednesday today is sunday - they need to check it out as i bought in good faith and felt a check engine light should not have come on after driving it off the lot. it was a big deal for me to let go of my cadillac cts in perfect clean condition but we needed the suv space and i love the hummer brand = sure wish is was still being made.
 

Neo

Badfish
Messages
1,666
Location
Brookings, OR
when you go back to the toyota place have them read the code and let them know the lite did come on and you are concerned. Like Autumn said if its not flashing and just steady it's not gonna hurt anything. any chevy/gmc dealer or cadillac will know more than the guys at toyota as far as the common little glitches go. preferably chevy because the canyon/colorado have the same engines.
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
Ok, thanks Neo - i will go to toyota with my little checklist of the suggestions posted here and follow up with what they say and find out - sparkplugs i want them to check for sure - took a ride today and NO light - i pray it's nothing like the HEAD - that Land Rover has me scarred for life. I had the worst experience with it. :(
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
thanks LagunaH1 - can you tell i'm totally upset and feel sick over this - thanks for the advice. I'm trying to stay positive - i love this h3 (i think)
 

GlitterU

Member
Messages
17
Location
Louisiana
3Hummers - i sure hope you are right - i have to have faith in this ENGINE AND VEHICLE - i hope to drive it until the wheels fall off and wanted it for my 14 yr old to have in a few years down the road...... praying - headed to dealer to have some things checked out now.
 

H2-Canuck

Active Member
Messages
37
Location
Ontario
3Hummers - i sure hope you are right - i have to have faith in this ENGINE AND VEHICLE - i hope to drive it until the wheels fall off and wanted it for my 14 yr old to have in a few years down the road...... praying - headed to dealer to have some things checked out now.
Is your oil pressure gauge reading normal
 
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