HHR SS Topics and information on the 2008-2010 Chevy HHR SS Turbocharged models.

New 09 SS, a couple of little worries...

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Old Jan 10, 2009 | 04:25 PM
  #1  
gnichols's Avatar
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From: Tampa
New 09 SS, a couple of little worries...

Gang,
When my SS starts, it makes a low volume howling sort of noise. It goes away after the car warms a little and it drops off the "choke" to a normal idle. I notice this when I warm it up in the garage for a minute or so (RE the brake / vacume problem). Any clues or similar experiences?

Secondly, when I park car after a drive it smells bad... funky sort of smell unlike I've ever had on a car (not brakes or a lining smell, nor does it remind me of electrical problems). Converter? Turbo / exhaust?

I only have about 500 miles on my car so far. Thanx, Gary
Old Jan 10, 2009 | 04:34 PM
  #2  
WaGoN MOnger's Avatar
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From: tampa
Originally Posted by gnichols
Gang,
When my SS starts, it makes a low volume howling sort of noise. It goes away after the car warms a little and it drops off the "choke" to a normal idle. I notice this when I warm it up in the garage for a minute or so (RE the brake / vacume problem). Any clues or similar experiences?

Secondly, when I park car after a drive it smells bad... funky sort of smell unlike I've ever had on a car (not brakes or a lining smell, nor does it remind me of electrical problems). Converter? Turbo / exhaust?

I only have about 500 miles on my car so far. Thanx, Gary
cars just new, ecotecs are natorious for wierd noises
Old Jan 10, 2009 | 04:37 PM
  #3  
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From: Fairport Harbor, OH
Welcome! I know the SS engine does make a lot of weird noises, but I don't remember a 'howling.' I think I've reat that a funky smelling exhaust is normal, but I tend to avoid snorting exhaust pipes since they all smell funky to me. Try gas from a different station and see if that makes a difference. Different refiners use different additives. Lately I've been auto-starting mine (go figure) so all the cold noises are over. Just hearing that sweet singing of the turbo spooling up.

Enjoy the ride, and if someone around here can't help you or point you to someone who can, nobody can.
Old Jan 10, 2009 | 05:10 PM
  #4  
Chevy SS's Avatar
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From: A state of L N F Performance
There have been problems with the brake/vacuum, read up on those threads and see if if that helps. As far as the bad smell. Does it smell like rotten eggs? If so it's probably the cat but after only 500 miles I would not expect that at all.
Old Jan 10, 2009 | 08:05 PM
  #5  
hyperv6's Avatar
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From: Akron Ohio
I know the noise and it is only when it is first started and I only hear it our side. That is a normal Ecotech sound. I have heard it on mine and several others. It ccould be somthing as the air in the intake howling?

As for the smell. I have only noted almost amounia smell from the exhaust on many of the new cars with Direct injection.

Not sure if it is just the cleaner burning of the new injection or the newer style converters.

Not sure if these are the sound and smell you have but if it is I do not see anything to worry about. Eco's are known for noise and the new cars are known for strong exhast smells too.

Note you will also get soot in the tail pipe. It will coat the exhaust tip. THis is also normal on the 2.0 Eco and 3.6 HV V6 with Direct Injection. They all do it.
Old Jan 11, 2009 | 12:36 PM
  #6  
bartSS's Avatar
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The howling is your intake. When you start the car go to the passenger side of the car and listen by the fender and you will hear it
Old Jan 11, 2009 | 01:14 PM
  #7  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Originally Posted by bartSS
The howling is your intake. When you start the car go to the passenger side of the car and listen by the fender and you will hear it

Thanks you confirmed what I was thinking it was.
Old Jan 11, 2009 | 02:03 PM
  #8  
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From: So Cal
The smell was normal on mine and a neighbors SS for about 1500-2000 miles. Never knew what it was. Not the converter as his was a 5sp. It went away for both of us and never smelled it again.
Old Jan 11, 2009 | 02:52 PM
  #9  
Canuck's Avatar
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From: Ontario Cdn
Originally Posted by NickHHRSS
The smell was normal on mine and a neighbors SS for about 1500-2000 miles. Never knew what it was. Not the converter as his was a 5sp. It went away for both of us and never smelled it again.
Mine did the same, assumed it was some misplaced foreign matter (paint, grease, ??) that was being burnt off. Went away after about 500km.
Old Jan 11, 2009 | 09:14 PM
  #10  
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From: Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
I figured the howling was the turbo. I start the car and it sits at about 8lbs of Vac. And when i blip it you can hear it spool, after about 60seconds idling it will drop and growl goes away IE turbo is at a 20lb vac. Mine makes the same noise



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