I got a 2008 HHR SS and thought the overflow bottle was leaking because coolant was mysteriously disappearing so I ordered a new one and waited 3 weeks for Detroit to make it and walk it over to my local dealer then because I need the car for work, continued to drive it and top the coolant until the day I finally got it installed (on a Saturday because my local dealer is M-F just like me) so I picked the car up, drove to Langley and found oil all over the engine compartment when I got there. Changed the oil that day which was overfull (here was my first real 'uh oh' moment) and long story short the dealer told me the oil cooler was leaking coolant into the oil, the fuel pump is leaking fuel into the oil and the head gasket is probably done. They're difficult to deal with, very very poor communication and they charge way too much so what do you think, can you fix my ride? Or do you know a guy? Girl/woman I don't care.

I hope it doesn't need a head gasket but I guess we'll figure that one out, it needs an oil cooler that's probably a given and that HPFP - can it be resealed or do I really need to buy a new one like the almighty, hideously evil and corrupt dealer says or at least seriously alludes. When the turbo went in the summer they wanted me to wait 3 weeks for a new one but a nearby (not really) shop said they could just rebuild it.

Dealers. Hmph.

 

Why would you order from GM? eBay and Amazon are quicker and usually cheaper. GM shops don't have any better grasp than the guy down the street. Waste of money and time, except for recalls.
Was there evidence in the ground for leakage?
There are only 3 places for coolant to go; the ground/air, the oil or the tail pipe. With a turbo you have water circuiting in the oil cooler and the turbo to look at; the oil cooler would usually leak onto the ground, the turbo would usually leak into the tail pipe. Head gasket would usually leak into the oil sump or the tail pipe.

 

Be prepared for the worse.

 

Check the radiator to engine upper hoses and the filler neck , it’s plastic and they deteriorate and leak. Then there’s the orings on the water transfer pipe from the water pump to the thermostat housing, very good possibility there of a leak.

 

There is always a compromise.