donbrew

Mostly because the Shop Manual says not to; but it does go on to say because anti-seize defeats proper torquing and can therefore strip the AL heads.

Steel plugs Vs. Al head. Put lube on the steel=overtorque.

littlehoov

Ok, did a compression test. Here are the results:
#1- 175
#2- 175
#3- 173
#4- 180


From what I read that's really good right? Also installed new spark plugs, old ones were part # 41-981

RJ_RS_SS_350

Yes, that's pretty darn good. Now if you can just locate that pesky coolant leak...

donbrew

I wonder what book gave that number. I can't see it crossing over to anything that fits in an HHR. Well an Autolite number that fits HHR does crossover.

Anyway they have been replaced before. AC Delco 41-105 will last 100,000, I don't know about platinums.

For one thing they are Double Platinum, which might explain the missing whiskers.

The AC Delco DP is 41-834.

littlehoov

So would that rule out an internal leak? What about intake manifold gaskets? I know its an issue in other GM engines. What about these?

donbrew

Completely different situation on the Northstar engines. There is no water near the intake gasketS, there are 4, really O-rings.

Could be head gasket, some have reported the water pump was leaking into the crankcase. Could be one of the rubber hoses or caps has a tiny leak, if steam is escaping you would never notice dripping.

littlehoov

Ok, what would be a logical next step then? I do see a little glistening under the radiator cap, but I just took it off a few days ago when this all started, to check the level, it doesn't seem to be growing. Cap is only a little over a year old. Where is the water pump? I know its internal but I haven't found any posts on where it is.

Oldblue

Water pump search , yielded these

https://www.google.ca/search?q=2.2+H...&client=safari

littlehoov

Thank you, I had just been searching this site, and whatever results my lovely windows phone was bringing up:/
Sometimes I forget how much better google works.

donbrew

Check out our "How-To" library. There is a step by step.
"How To" Tutorial Library - Chevy HHR Network
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-56476/