Pretzel

Hello,
I just purchased a new 2008 HHR SS with 39K miles. I have only drove it around the other day and the outside temp was 70 deg. I noticed the engine temp was steady at 205 deg all day.
I searched the forums and read that 50% said the fan always is running and some said it didnt? When my SS is running I didnt see the fan spinning.
I have a 30 day warranty So id like to know if it is working correctly.
Thanks~

Oldblue

donbrew

Wouldn't hurt anything to check the coolant level and color (should be orange-ish). DexCool has a 5 year shelf life. Miles don't matter much.

firemangeorge

In a nutshell, SS cooling fan operation is different from the non-SS HHR's. Mine doesn't come on when started (if AC and defrost are off). If I go on the road and engine reaches operating temp range (183-189), then at some point the fan turns on. When or what temp, I'm not sure. I just know that the fan is running when I get home and turns off when I turn the car off.
I think it's something to do with the SS having a fan control module that can vary the fan speed. Something the non -SS does not have.

I remember a thread a while back where we discussed this. A couple of the SS owners did a "start and warm up" to see when the fan would come on. My memory says it was somewhere around 190 or so I think.
Wish I knew what that thread was titled so we could pull it up.

Pretzel

Hello, donbrew
I did he coolant "BURPING" technique on it to be safe. :)
Thanks!

Pretzel

@ firemangeorge Thank you very much for the info
Im going to do the warmup run test on the fan. But the weather is cold now :) . 205 deg seemed a little high. My 2.4L runs at 187 deg.
Since the fan and module is so expensive and if one is bad I want the money to come out of the dealers pocket and not mine.

Ohiocruiser

205 all the time seems little high. It is probably the time to replace all coolant and thermostat.

sleeper

Ditto.............Using only a GM OEM T-Stat.

Oldblue

Pretzel

OK, When I got home I took it for a drive down the Highway for 6 miles.
1st. Turned on A/C and the fan spooled up....GOOD.
2nd Went 6 miles and temp stayed at 205 at 50 deg outside? Stopped at the gas station to head back and looked at cooling fan, it was running.
Id say fan is OK.
Think I can convince the dealer to change the Thermostat and fluid?
Im capable of doing it myself.

Thanks to all who commented!