timing noise
 

im hearing a quick rattle once and awhile upon startup so Im assuming its the tensioner. I still have the original one on my 2008 pushing 190,000kms / 120,000miles so I think its time.

As stated in previous posts on here, some have had to take the valve cover off to do this job while others just unscrewed the old one and screwed in the new one and started the car up and it was fine.

I looked on the cobaltss site and some users have stated to also have just screwed in the new one without taking the cover off.

So my question is....what is it? Cover off or on ?
The new tensioner came in the the mail today but i dont have a new gasket for the valve cover if I have to take it off and that means waiting another few days for the dealer or online store to order/ship it to me.

My new tensioner did not require removing the valve cover, however at 120,000 miles, I’d change the timing chain , balance shaft chain and the tensioners and guides.

At 120K I would be looking at the chain, The tensioner has made up as much as it can.

im going to try the tensioner first as I cannot have the car out of commission for too long as it is my daily driver, plus I do not have the know-how to do that job anyway.

So with activating the tensioner, can i install it with the cover on but tap it on the head with say a small hammer to activate the spring? Or does it have to be from the inside?

I would certainly do it from the inside. Do you really want to take a chance? If it doesn't release, you could have a boat anchor.

That being said, If the chain has stretched so much that the original tensioner can't provide tension, replace the timing set. Tensioner replacement only, is a risky procedure, and, if successful, offers only a short term fix because the new tensioner will also be very near the end of it's stroke.

X2

The "old" design does not wear out, it falls apart when it gets fully extended. semingly the "new" design has a tiny bit more before it self destructs.

This fix should only be used as a "are you feeling lucky" sort of thing.

guys you're killing me here...lol

ok so i notice on rockauto that they are suggesting getting the timing cover gasket set along with the timing chain/sprockets/etc. Is this needed as well?

I would say it is a good idea. Again, you might be lucky. Maybe get it and hold it in a clean spot for possible return.

This one includes the gasket: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Chai...kAAOSwV6ta-byX

timing noise
 

finally was able to record it. Seems to do it sporadically

View My Video

Nope, nothing special.

Are you guys saying that the HHR needs a new timing chain at 120k miles? Is this for the 2.2, 2.4L or both?

If so how much does this job normally cost?

We are saying that in this case the owner should consider the chain as a source of his new noise. A rattle noise at startup that goes away as it warms up is a tell tale.

Labor is about 5 hours parts about $150.

Easy at home job, very little tools required and yes it’s a wear out part, however sometimes it’s a broken front guide or tired tensioner.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...in-kits-60394/

My wife’s 2003 2.2 in her Sunfire GT has 345,000 klms, original chain and guides and tensioner.
It’s not ticking, so she doesn’t want me to change it. But I’ve got a timing and balance shaft chain set at the ready.

thanks for the info guys. It was completed this past weekend, and all went smooth as butter! No more noise and not sure if its just a mental thing but the engine seems to feel different, as in stronger pulls or response time.

Nice! All done and it feels better! How did the brakes and LCAs work out?

that's still on the ongoing "to do" list :p