Sudden onset of fuel delivery issues 08 HHR SS
 

Hello,

I have a 2008 Chevy HHR SS which I have babied for a few years now, and I have been really loving it. Unfortunately, I went to crank her up yesterday and she sputtered and kicked and blew white and sooty black smoke before the engine died. First research pointed to the fuel pump, and I had been hearing a very light dieseling knock sound from under the hood in that area, so I received a new high-pressure pump and installed today - Now it runs a little longer, but still dies. I went to harbor freight and got a fuel pressure tester - pressure gets to 68-70 and stays there solid with no drop after 5 minutes + . No issues from the pump in the tank. I removed the coil packs and spark plugs, found no issues ( ohm meter checked, etc. ). Looked at the fuse box and could not locate any blown fuses. She has over 1/2 a tank in her I should mention. Throws the p0087 code. Has me stonewalled. Does anyone have any ideas as to what my problem(s) could be?

Thank you so much,

Andy B.

:welcomewagon: to the forums!

For $30, I'd be giving this a try. https://zzperformance.com/products/f...ressure-sensor

Potential causes of a P0087 trouble code may include:
Weak fuel pump,
restricted fuel supply line
Faulty fuel pump driver module
Faulty fuel pressure sensor

I concur with RJ and suggest you consider replacing the in tank fuel pump.

I only see that the in tank fuel pump pressure was checked. What about checking the HPFP pressure ? Should be around 2200 at cold start up and 400-600 at idle after warmup.
( should be able to check pressures with a scan tool)

A new HPFP was installed

I would make sure all of the wires to the HPFP are good and the connection are tight.
It indicates low pressure after the HPFP, either the sensor, the solenoid or the pump.
Conditions for setting the code: actual pressure is 1.5 MPa(218 psi) less than the desired pressure. That is a lot; my guess is the actuator is not functioning at all.

I'm saying replacing the pressure sensor. Cheap and easy, it's on the fuel rail. I know we like to say "diagnose and test", but the fact is most people don't know how and/or don't have the equipment, or don't understand the language used in the diagnostic procedures. And shops are usually over $100/hour anymore. So you can pay $100 or more for a diagnosis, and then sometimes they just fire up the parts cannon anyway.

Saw that about the new HPFP Oldblue. But, since it still won’t stay running, he needs to check the pressure from that new pump. Since it’s a mechanical cam driven pump, he may have something else wrong like a cam issue. Or as Don said, wiring or sensor problems.
Bottom line, I would be checking the HPFP pressures again.

Right-ee-oh. Don't need a fancy scan tool. My Bluetooth dongle and Torque app displays high side fuel pressure. (So does the RPD, which of course your 2008 doesn't have.)

Right. Another example of the frequent futility of replacing parts without a solid diagnosis.

I wonder if a bad injector is blasting excessive fuel. A good reason to use your RPD (for future readers who might have one) or scanning method to monitor a/f if & when you can get it the O2 sensor warm enough to get a read.

Fuel rail sensor was the culprit
 

Hello all,

the fuel rail pressure sensor that was recommended was the culprit. running like a top again! Thank you so much for the help. Hopefully this will serve someone else when that problem arises for them.