Pollardwk

Thanks for all of the great responses. I will take a few pictures as soon as I can today and post them. The engine does have VVT. I have no idea what to look for to see if it is a Flex Fuel engine or not. The only code I am getting is the P0171. I have the intake from the original engine that I may install. Now I am curious if it is in fact a Flex Fuel engine because everything reconnected perfectly. I thought I read somewhere that a non Flex Fuel engine may have different connections but not sure about that. The owner of the vehicle said it was a 2009 model engine but, as a salvage yard will do, there was yellow marker writing on the block that said 2008. I will verify all before I go any further.

But the interesting thing is that it runs great. I would think that if the ECM is not compatible, then if would run rough.

Thanks again,

Oldblue

It can’t be a 2008, 2.2 if it has VVT. It would be a 2009.
it’s not the intake you should be inspecting, the exhaust between the manifold and the 1st O2 sensor, usually the flex pipe is cracked!

Pollardwk

Thanks. I plan to inspect the exhaust later today. The owner keeps insisting that it is a 2009 engine...and it does have VVT because I replaced the solenoids I was just going by what I saw written on the block. Now, my next question. Since it had 2008 written on the block by the salvage yard, I ordered and installed the injectors for a 2008. Since it seems apparent now that it is at least a 2009 because it has VVT, should I replace those new injectors with some for a 2009?

Oldblue

If you have the injectors from the original 2010 , they are the same as the 2009 injectors, so, if you have the injectors from the yard marked 2008, try those first.

if you can return the 2008 injectors

RJ_RS_SS_350

Rockauto.com shows 2008 injectors are part number 2173158, while 2009 and 2010 are 12613163.

Verified at wholesalegmpartsonline. The 2173158 are for the HHR in 2008 only. 12613163 are for 2009-2011.

Oldblue

I’ve corrected my fat finger error

PulpFriction

Woah! Pretty important to be very sure what motor this is before doing anything.

2008? 2009? 2008 or 2009 what?

If you don't believe the year painted on the block, why would you believe any claim as to what model it came from?

There's no way a 2008 HHR 2.2 runs in a 2010 2.2 HHR without a lotta grief. If it really is a 2008 with VVT, it could be a 2.4 from HHR, or 2.4 Cobalt "Sport," or 2.4 Chevy Malibu, or 2.4 Pontiac G6.

If it really is a 2.2 with VVT, it's from a 2009-11 HHR, RPO LE8, or a 2009-10 Cobalt, RPO LAP, or a 2009 G5, RPO LAP. Nothing else. If it's a 2.2 VVT FlexFuel, it's from 2009-2011 HHR, period. LAP is not FlexFuel. LE8 is FlexFuel.

I believe the VVT advance is different with FlexFuel. The injectors certainly are different.

It should be obvious now why not being absolutely sure what motor you have can cause error upon error and endless grief.

I would post pics of the new motor. Maybe someone else know specific details or number to look for to help determine exactly what motor you put in.

I have only on question. Why do you need new injectors?

Oldblue

If the op has injectors from the donor engine or the original engine, he can use those.
the code listed is for the exhaust area not the intake.
the replacement engine runs fine but there is a code P0171, flex fuel engines run fine on regular fuel

donbrew

If there is still a paper tag glued onto the end of the head with a bar code the Broadcast Code might help to identify the motor.
There might be a partial VIN on the oil filter housing or near the starter that might help.

If VVT is embossed on the valve cover it is VVT. The VVT 2.2l was ONLY used in 2009-2011 cars of any model. If it is a 2008 VVT engine it is a 2.4L non-FlexFuel.
A 2008 2.4l would probably work with a 2011 2.2l computer, just don't use E85. Might cause the P0171. The O2 sensors and injectors might be different.
Different injectors for FlexFuel

Oldblue

Also look for the VVT solenoids in the head to the passenger side of #1 spark plug But there has been no mention of the op using E85. So let’s see what he finds looking at the possibility of an exhaust leak.