gio89kid

So I was at a dealer today looking at an HHR for sale for my dad and we almost bought it, but I saw some things that made me question the purchase.

1st: There was little (very small) leaks from the valve cover here and there.

2nd: There was no coolant in the overflow resevoir, like at all, bone dry, none even by the hose that connects it.

3rd: They said there was a check engine light for a misfire, but told me they fixed it by replacing the coil on the cylinder that was misfiring.

Cosmetics: Even though they cleaned the car, there were certain parts that were just sticky. The radio knob looked like someone took a screwdriver to it. The outside was immaculate, great condition paint. And the black leather seats were in great condition as well. The sunroof did squeak when it closed but seemed fine.

So I can clean the car and fix the radio, but I don't want to have to deal with engine problems, do you think it's just normal problems that can be fixed by replacing a gasket and adding some coolant?
Or could it be neglect from a previous owner that did not maintain his car properly?

The car has 81,000 miles. For a car that requires 5 year 150 thousand mile coolant, where did it go?

gio89kid

The car drove great on the test drive, and I clicked the coolant temp button on the dash after we had parked the car for a while to see if the temp would spike up, and it was fine, but it was just sitting at idle in the parking lot and hadn't been driven for a while before that so???

Lucky

There are lots or reasons for the bottle to be low. It hard to say from here but if your worried about a head gasket or cracked head you can use a tester to test for combustion gases in the radiator.

843de

If you're really serious about it, have it checked out by a trusted mechanic.

The vehicle has enough "Red Flags" to cause concern.

While we're quite prepared to help you with technical advice on rectifying problems with an HHR, buying a good one to start with is preferable to repairing one before you even put it on the road.

donbrew

Open the pressure cap, when it is cool, to check the coolant level.

Have the OBDII read to make sure the Monitors have run.

I wouldn't worry a lot about valve cover leaks, just re torque the bolts.

Oldblue

The over flow tank could be tanked! Or the hose split.
The oil leak could be sloppy oil change or leak at the oil fill neck gasket.
You would clean it up anyways so the interior is a wash, so to speak.
The sunroof squeak can be lubricated, I'm sure there's a thread about that on here!
As for should you buy it, I say yes, but it is totally up to you!!

gio89kid

Thank you, I think I'm going to take 843de advise, he has the same thinking I do. Plus even on the car auto check, there is no maintenance that was recorded even the regular free dealer maintenance was not performed.
So we are going to pass.

firemangeorge

As far as maintenance records go. If you looked my 2010 up( bought new), the only thing you would find is when I took it in for the recall work and GMTU and a radio replacement under warranty.
There would be no general maintenance records on mine because I prefer to do all my own oil changes and such. And yes, I even passed on the free dealer oil changes when I got it.
I just keep all my receipts when I do my own work.

Just saying....Records don't always tell the whole story.

Oldblue

Mine also has no records since I purchased it in Dec 09 except for any warranty and recall work, because like Firemangeorge , I do my own work.

donbrew

Mine to.