Well, as I mentioned in the welcome thread, I am a long time admirer and first time owner of a White 2006 HHR. I got her for 4K after talking the used car lot down from 5K and this was including them repairing the door locks and the cam position sensor. (It had the tail tale warning lights and with help from this forum I was able to look like I knew what I was talking about). They were also supposed to replace the passenger door handle, interior broken.
They did repair the sensor, and it turned out that all four lock actuators were bad. Seems strange but they are all working now so thats corrected. I am still waiting for them to call and say they have the door handle and to bring it in, but I am beginning to think that may fall thru the cracks. I will find out for sure once I get the permanent plates.
The once over on the vehicle seemed good, for 170K on the clock, it seemed to have been taken care of.... uh huh.....
As with any new vehicle to me, I tend to start going thru general maintenance procedures till I get that "warm fuzzy". Since the dash showed 100 percent oil life left, I took it for granted that they changed the oil..... yea right! I performed that today and the oil filter was evidently so clogged that it had begun to collapse on itself!
Next up was to ensure it has enough trans fluid. Finally found the inspection plug and it seems to be full. Trying to decide if I should get a tranny flush but with that much mileage I am not so sure.....
AC blows cold but not much volume.....hmmm.....wonder what that cabin air filter looks like.....not sure but I would not be surprised if it was original! My volume out of the vents has doubled! Air filter was not too bad, but did need a change as well!
Lastly, I purchased a couple of key fobs from ebay and had them programmed as well as a new key (it only had one) and I must say I am loving that remote start!
Next up will be new brakes up front, they are wearing a little thin......then struts, shocks and Sway bar end links. (hopefully that will stop the clunking from the front end).
So basically, I feel I have saved an HHR from eventual death by neglect. All she needs is a little TLC!

Any other ideas from anyone are most certainly welcome!

 

Congrats, these lil hotrods are a blast to drive, take the time and enter your VIN into the link posted in the recall section on the forum to be sure the recalls have been done. I've 99% of my resolve right here from previous posts or fellow members stepping up.

 

Welcome to the site.

Fwiw. The oil filter you changed probably didn't collapse from being dirty. It is a known issue that the design of the filter/housing tends to twist the old wet filter when you remove it. It will "appear" to be collapsed.

There was a couple long and lengthy threads regarding this a few years back.
You can try a Search for those threads if you want to read up on it.

 

Welcome

 

Then that is a relief! I was beginning to really be concerned!

 

Thanks for the instruction....will do!

 

Welcome aboard and enjoy your new ride!

 

aboard!

 

When you collect the parts for the front end, consider LCA's at you milage the rear bushings are most likely toast!
A trans fluid and filter change would be a good idea a flush maybe not!
There are numerous threads to search check the links in Donbrew's signature for clunks

 

welcome :)