HHR SS is running hot
 

Hello readers, it's been a while. I didn't think I would have to post a thread about my car however I am having a problem with it since I got it out this season. I have had it out for a week now and I have noticed an issue: It's running hot😞. By the way, it's an 09 HHR SS with 172,000 miles on it. It has about 20,000 miles on the new engine that was installed in 2017. Anyways I have noticed at red lights, stop signs, and inching through traffic the temp starts climbing past 210. I saw 216 yesterday!😲. I drove it home and shut it off. Drove it the next day and the temp hovered at 189 during highway travel. That gave me hope. If I slow to a stop the temp creeps back up to 210. When I get the car back up to 55mph, it goes back to 189. Normally when I see the temp climbing, I turn on the defrost which commands the fan to turn on and that brings the temp back to 189 when I inch through traffic. This is common practice for me with this car especially in Virginia during the summer with their traffic lights that literally make you sit for ten minutes before you get your turn to proceed. If it werent for that cooling fan running, there is no doubt my car would overheat so it gets quite the workout. But there is something different this season compared to other seasons: I have not noticed the fan turning on since last week when I got the SS out. Yesterday here in upstate New York it was 78 degreese out and a little bit humid. I was parking it at work and the temp climbed to 210. I tried turning the AC to full max and popped the hood. Not surprised as I expected the fan is not running. I did feel the ac line and it is super cold but no fan. So I just shut the car off and went inside to work my shift with this on my mind. This is very depressing you can imagine. When my baby is not well, I am not well. I don't think its the head gasket nor thermostat because the coolant appears to be circulating. And I drive this car like a grandma. I never beat on it.

Any ideas? I think I know what it is, just was hoping to get others opinions. Thank you to anybody for your help.

Time for a new fan and module for the SS, the genuine GM one

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+assembly,2181


If you haven’t done a drain and fill in the last 5 years drain that Dexcool too.
Consider replacing thermostat thermostat, ACDelco 131-158 180 degree F

And don’t forget to burp the coolant!

I always know I can count on you glad you are still there. Thank you for responding. So you think it's the cooling fan? I do too. Does it sound like a head gasket? That happened to me in 2017 while on vacation on virginia. I don't want to relive that again.

Oh and how do I burp it?

Just happen to have a how to…

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-system-60614/


the head gasket will fail after more overheating but your explanation of events indicates the fan is the culprit

As I recall, the fan doesn't kick in until it gets above 215(?) Mine did that and having the coolant flushed and replaced made all the difference, even if it is not 5 years old, worth a shot. or at least a good place to start.

Fan should activate when AC or defrost is turned on.

That’s not how the fan system works on a SS. The SS has a variable speed fan with a control module on the assembly. The parameters of when it’s “ON” are different from the regular HHR.

Thank you so much for replying Oldblue! I always appreciate it. I ordered the oem fan off rockauto and I have an oem thermostat ordered, both arriving Tuesday. I was just outside looking at what I will be dealing with removing the housing and it is not going to be fun. There is a hose clamp directly above one of the housing bolts:( And that area is so tight, it is going to be a bear to get that hose clamp off. Am I nervous? Oh yes, totally. Because if nothing changes after the fan install, I will have to park it for now and go to plan B which I don't even know what plan B is yet. Hey I will let you know how it all works out.

Thanks for being a great supportive member. Cheers!

Hey thank you for responding:) do you have an SS? My coolant is 8 years old and I plan on flushing it, but for now I just want to see the new fan kick on. I will be so happy. This has been plaguing me for a week now.

A how to , generally the fans remove and replace is the same for the SS as it is for the LS or LT’s