Your help and avice are needed

[Darius]

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I have to say that after driving many vehicles of many types for both personal and professional use, the H3 is by far the most comfortable, the most enjoyable, and the most versatile.  </SPAN><?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comoffice" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I am, however, having some MAJOR issues on the mechanical side.  </SPAN>Since before October, I have had my H3 in shop for a minimum of once a month for at least a week.  </SPAN>The latest stint in the shop ended just this Tuesday after they had the H3 for a month.  </SPAN>Some of the repairs that I have had done to the H3 were as a result of negligence on the part of the service department; each time they repaired something, they would break something else.  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">On the other hand, there have been quite a few manufacture issues.  </SPAN>These included things like the processor needing replacement because the 4WD SRVS came on, the clutch master cylinder being replaced, the brake master cylinder being replaced, a speed sensor,  </SPAN>and finally, needing the cylinder head / gasket replaced (to name a few).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Now I understand that this is always a potential risk when buying a new vehicle and that is obviously what warrantee is for.  </SPAN>Warrantee does not, however, cover the inconvenience of lost time and the effort of having to deal with incompetent service people.  </SPAN>The vehicle is back in my possession and I have been assured again that the vehicle is in top shape and that they have fixed all my issues.  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Not so.  </SPAN>This is where I need your help.  </SPAN>One of the ailments I described to the service people is that I have a consistent burning rubber smell in the back of the vehicle after driving for more than 20 minutes.  </SPAN>This isnt so noticeable outside the vehicle but when you open the rear door, it hits you. When I finished explaining this to the service girl, she told me that this is a know concern to GM but there is no known cause and it does not affect the driveability.  </SPAN>Basically, Live with it.  </SPAN>After they replaced the cylinder head and gasket, they said that the burning rubber smell would be gone as well as the cause was a miss-fire in the engine which made the catconverter emit a burning odour.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Again. Not so.  </SPAN>I still have the smell.  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">So my questions to all of you are this:  </SPAN>Has anyone experienced this?  </SPAN>If so, was there a resolution?  </SPAN>What was the resolution?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Your help is appreciated.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>

[boarral]

Regarding the burning smell, there have been several reports of this, ranging from underbody coatings on the exhaust system to stickers on the exhaust system. They almost all stem from the same idea, though: that something is on the exhaust and is burning off. Most people have indicated that after a few months, the smell goes away, presumably after everything has burned off.



I have experienced the same problem with my H2 but only under heavy use, usually driving through the mountains where it is working hard on uphill grades. We stopped on Highway 93 between Banff and Jasper at the pullout after the hairpin, and the smell was very evident. Others in the back complained that they could smell it too. Unlike diesel, I do not believe my exhaust temperatures increase that much under heavy load, at least not to the extent of a diesel, so my guess was something in the drivetrain. Really difficult to say, though. I still smell it occasionally, but it is not as strong as it used to be, so even if it was the powertrain like the transfer case or transmission, I also suspect just something on it that is burning as it heats up.



As for all of the other issues that you are experiencing, I would recommend getting in touch with the government. I will need to research in order to find the department that you are looking for, but it has been recommended to be with the issues I have had with General Motors, and they are nowhere near as extreme as yours. Basically, it is a dispute inquiry board and they can tell GM that you do have an issue and that they need to deal with it. I know two Chevrolet Avalanche owners, one in Ontario and one in New Brunswick, that have had their vehicles replaced outright based on the results of this inquiry. Someone else here might know what I am talking about and be able to fill you in. Otherwise, I'll research tonight and see what I can find.

[Darius]

I appreciate the response.  I had a quick look underneath before but it was only cursory.  I see now a more in-depth look is needed. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Any help with the other area's is appreciated.  I have been in contact with  GM Canada as well as CAMVAP.  GM was very little help and the CAMVAP process is lengthy and unpredictable.  If there is another avenue open to me, I would be very happy.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Thanks again.</DIV>

[boarral]

[quote name='Darius]Any help with the other area's is appreciated. I have been in contact with GM Canada as well as CAMVAP. GM was very little help and the CAMVAP process is lengthy and unpredictable. If there is another avenue open to me' date=' I would be very happy.[/QUOTE']

I have had great success dealing with GM over the past five years, but this has changed within the past year. With GM reporting their first profit in many months, it is becoming obvious where the cost cutting was performed.



When I owned my Chevrolet Avalanche, my dealership spent an entire day pulling the rear bumper and chaining down the frame to pull things into shape, all because my bumper was a quarter inch higher on one side. A stark contrast to Southgate who refuses to even acknowledge a problem with my Hummer and this time the problem is not just the bumper, as it is causing damage to the body itself.



There are more and more days that I wish I still owned my Avalanche and Excursion instead of trading them in on another GM product.<edited><editID>boarral</editID><editDate>2007-03-15 09:26:04</editDate></edited>

[Darius]

I purchased my vehicle at Southgate.  Initially, the service was fantastic but I think that actually had more to do with the salesman.  At the time I was travelling quite a bit and driving up to Edmonton from Calgary was not an issue.  My role has changed somewhat and I have been based in Calgary since September.  I now deal with Shaw and I have had nothing but problems with the service.  Sales is another sordid story that I can get into later.  <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><DIV>Like I said before, I love the H3.  I really wish that these domestic manufacturing companies would learn.</DIV>

[boarral]

[quote name='Darius]I purchased my vehicle at Southgate. Initially' date=' the service was fantastic but I think that actually had more to do with the salesman. At the time I was travelling quite a bit and driving up to Edmonton from Calgary was not an issue. My role has changed somewhat and I have been based in Calgary since September. I now deal with Shaw and I have had nothing but problems with the service. Sales is another sordid story that I can get into later. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />[/QUOTE']

I mentioned to friends that I was going to go to Shaw to have service performed on my H2 and they laughed, telling me that the service there is even worse. It sounds like you would agree. It is frustrating.

[Darius]

Frustration is an understatement.  GM Canada, upon hearing my complaints, told me that all problems with dealerships are handled internally but that there was little they could do as each dealership is independently owned.  My response was that on a professional level, I deal with independent representatives all the time.  If they fail to represent me to the standard that I set forward as a manufacturer, I terminate their services.  They did not have much to say to that.<DIV>At this point, the saga is becoming quite an interesting campfire story.  </DIV>

[whitehumh2]

Hey Guys, just a quick note. I have been checking into this situation around here and it doesn't seem to be an east coast problem...don't know why just yet but the two highest areas of failure for said problem are Alberta and California now is it a fuel thing...not sure but looking into it and will let you know what I find out. Also jsut so you know HUMMER is a company you can deal with directly, don't call GM Canada you'll get red tape, Call AM General direct! Also just because Shaw is the dealer in Calgary doesn't mean they are the only ones capable of doing the work, ANY AND EVERY GM DEALER  can service our hummers under warranty, they just aren't able to sell them! I used to be a Hummer Tech and a GM technician so take it from me, there are solutions. Most importantly call AM General Directly they will take this matter very seriously...I have even heard of a case in Oklahoma where the Hummer Franchise was removed from one dealer and given to another due to exactly this...It makes a big difference to AM General to have happy customers, willing to buy Hummer after Hummer, not people who are so put off that they get rid of the truck just based on poor service.<DIV> </DIV><DIV>Kevin</DIV>

[njlondon]

 However, the problems Darius is experiencing are on an H3, and AM General  have no interest or equity in this product. It is 100% General Motors.

 Norm

[Darius]

I was told that the only people that can service the vehicle in Alberta are Shaw and Southgate.  Unfortunately, I can't make it up to Edmonton for this.  I did ask GM Canada to have Southgate inspect the vehicle and to stand behind their product but they say they refuse to have one dealership inspect the work of another.  Understandable as they are independent.  At the moment, it doesn't seem like I have too much choice other than to wait and see if I run into any more mechanical issues.  The one positive thing GM Canada said was that if I continue having problems with the vehicle towards the end of the warrantee period, the would look at extending it....  Whether or not they stick to that is something else.  Also, I don't quite like the idea of having to spend half the vehicle ownership in a rental.<DIV><DIV></DIV><DIV></DIV>Once again, thanks very much for the responses.</DIV>