Just picked up a beater HHR SS. Waterpump tips?
 

Hey all, new to the HHR SS world, but not new to "A" bodies as ive been a GM tech for 15+ years.

Someone traded in a 2008 HHR SS automatic with 220,000 KM's on it. I went to ask my showroom about the car and they said they were going to scrap it! I said no way in hell you are, bought it for 500$ and have about 300$ into it so far.

These cars are rare around my area and I have never worked on a 2.0L HHR before, Ive changed many water pumps on the 2.2L and 2.4L ecotec but never this 2.0L. My GM service information says you have to RE and RE turbo to remove water pump. I think if i remove the thermostat housing I can slide the pipe out from the drivers side of the engine out of the water pump and remove the pump without taking turbo off. Has anyone changed one of these before without removing turbo?

I’ve never changed the 2.0 turbo Ecotec water pump, but it’s plausible you might be able to do that.
while your at it are you changing the timing and balance shaft chains?

No, im not taking off the front cover. I have the holding tool.

That many km you would be smart to replace the chains.

You should expect to be cleaning the intake valves soon also.

just put it on a lift and drop the motor and trans with cradle and change out the timing chains and pump very easy if thats all it needs i,m doing one now but its a head change and timing and pump , but still not bad gl , thats a cheap ss good deal for u ,,,,,,

If this was a garage kept, mint condition, never seen winter HHR I might do all what your suggesting. I paid 500$ for a winter beater. Just want the water pump to stop leaking so I'm replacing only that. But thanks for your suggestions...

But what I was saying before.. has anyone changed the water pump on the 2.0L with the engine still in car using the holding tool?

In your 15+ years you haven't seen what a timing chain guide looks like after 220,000 km on a ecotech?
Unless you have changed a lot of crankshaft sensors because of P0016/P0017.

We are just saying, change it, as we are more the restore and preserve the SS train of thought, then winter beater!
From what , I’ve seen removing the thermostat end of the water pipe should allow enough room to wiggle the water pump out.

I agree with the above suggestions on changing the chains.
200,000 KM is 136,700 miles.
Being it's a winter beater, if a chain breaks and it's cold out, well you can figure the rest out.