I was hoping someone could answer a couple of questions. I just recieved my HHR SS and noticed a couple of things that are worrisome to me.

1:
Is it nomal that my tailpipe is already building up a lot of dark carbon. The exhaust tip is completley black and I only have 350 miles on the car.
2:
The rear bumper directly to the right of the exhaust seem a little loose. I was wondering if that is normal. I looked underneath and noticed a plastic piece that secures it but if a pull on it the whole thing moves (bottom of bumper directly to the right of exhaust.) I would hate to be told that it is flapping when I'm driving it.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

Question #1: One other mentioned it in this thread https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...light=tailpipe
I don't have an SS but my 2.4 does it also
Question 2; Bumper covers are on the loose side.

 

The side moldings aren't exactly stiff either. I think they need to be a certain flexibility or they won't last.

 

the black tailpipe "soot" is common to all direct-injection engines.

 

After cleaning inside and outside of the tailpipe when i first got my SS, i ended up just leaving the inside alone, and letting it "darken"inside the exhaust tip,and just cleaning the outside of it.
One less thing not to lose sleep over.

 

The soot is normal for this engine

The rear cover is just that a cover. It is flexable and a tear away if needed.
When I got run off the road and into the ditch by the cell phone idiot the tear away factor saved my quarter panels. One new cover for the rear and it was good as new.

 

Mine is in the shop for #2 right now. Had to keep it over night, waiting for the seat belt buckle to arrive. Will let you know what they did about the loose plastic issue.

Cajun

 

My hatch rubbed the bumper because of being loose. Seems the mexicans forget stuff to put on the car. Mine was "missing a clip under the bumper". The hatch scratched the bumper and was repaired. Dealership made the fix(added the clip) and no charge.