Oldblue

That would be concurrent to worn piston rings or a scarred cylinder wall with the oil test
Still the newer block might not have same bolt pattern as your 07 head

Nvizn

I'm looking for a replacement motor and I find listings mentioning with or without an exhaust air check valve. I contacted the dealer and spoke with the parts guy, he pulled the VIN and said there was only one exhaust available for my vehicle (which isn't of much assistance), which doesn't mean there was only exhaust made for the year. Anyone know anything about this?

My vehicle details:
2007 HHR LS BASE 2.2L DOHC ECOTECH MFI
8th digit VIN = D

The donor vehicle is as follows:

Vehicle Year:
2008
Vehicle Make:
Pontiac
Vehicle Model:
G5
Vehicle Engine Size:
2.2
Vehicle Mileage:
80k
Vehicle Stock #:
$XT977-960

Dbeluscak

Kinda...my new Gen 3 motor is an ldk platform. The 2.0L doesn't have the air pump. I have a block off plate there instead. If it's the one I'm thinking of. It's on the drivers side @ the rear of the cylinder head. It runs mechanically off of the exhaust cam.

I'm not sure, because I never had one. But I'd assume it's pumping air into the exhaust for emissions similar to older small blocks.

donbrew

The junkyard guys know which is which. They would be the guys to ask.

I don't think HHRs ever came with the "drilled" exhaust. But the motor has been used in many different cars, some have the "drilled" exhaust. I suspect that the G5 would work.

That does not refer to an air pump, it's some sort of EGR thing.

Nvizn

To add, the seller mentioned the following details for the engine fitment. It seems unusual, to list fitment only for a 2007. Shouldn't it also fit a 2008?

"Chevrolet Cobalt 2007-2008 2.2L (VIN F, 8th digit, opt L61), w/o AIR check valve; exhaust manifold is drilled & tapped for AIR
Saturn Ion 2007-2007 2.2L (VIN F, 8th digit, opt L61), w/o AIR check valve; exhaust manifold is drilled & tapped for AIR

Chevrolet HHR 2007-2007 2.2L (VIN D),w/drilled and tapped AIR

Pontiac G5 2007-2008 2.2L (VIN F, 8th digit, opt L61), w/o AIR check valve; exhaust manifold is drilled & tapped for AIR
Chevrolet Malibu 2007-2007 2.2L (VIN F, 8th digit, opt L61), exh man is drilled & tapped for AIR valve
Chevrolet Malibu 2008-2008 classic style (emblem in grille), 2.2L (VIN F, 8th digit, opt L61), exhaust manifold is drilled and tapped for AIR valve

Please verify the 8th digit (from the left) of your VIN number is the letter "D". Unfortunately there is no way for us to tell if your exhaust manifold is drilled and tapped for an air check valve from the VIN #. Please either check with your mechanic, or a Chevrolet dealer should be able to tell you from the VIN."

donbrew

Last time: call a local junkyard and ask the counter guy. They have a computer that will answer fitment questions, it's their job. Try http://www.lewsauto.net/

Or, call a GM dealer and ask the correct question. "is my exhaust manifold drilled and tapped for an air check valve" Not "how many different exhaust manifolds are made for my model year".

What you have presented seems to say that the 2007 HHR needs the drilled. I am not sure about that. I had a 2008 that was NOT drilled.

There were changes made between years. If you are doing this yourself you will need to do some Tech2 programming anyway, less if you stay with the same model and year.

Nvizn

I asked this question. I asked him specifically, did the manifold he had for my vehicle, have the air check valve. He said "he wouldn't see it in the diagram" and it "was too small to see." These comments, made absolutely no sense and think he was just trying to blow off my call.

Dbeluscak

In my opinion you should've called the junk yard first. They are much more inclined to this type of service. As Donbrew said, they have an excellent cross referencing system. Not only that, they are going to be more inclined to help.

The dealership doesn't really care about your engine swap..unless they are the ones doing it. And in that case, they'll be doing to leg work for ya.

I'm actually starting a similar project. Only I have the motor already, 2.0L turbo. Looking for a donor HHR.

And on a side note to your original issue. I had a blown head gasket, engine temps in excess of 250*. I had no oil and water mixing. Had a blown seal around cylinder 4.

Good luck on your "adventure"

Oldblue

Maybe just use your original exhaust manifold, problem solved

Nvizn

That's what I would assume. Not sure how this feature is relevant, considering, the motor will not include the manifold.