WV2008SS

I was just wondering what temperature is the normal operating temperature for a HHR SS ? I've checked mine before and it is usually runs 194 but lately it has been running as high as 203. I'm not sure why it has changed , any ideas ?

I now have a 2009 HHR SS AA5 , I used to have a 2008 SS

Arch

RJ_RS_SS_350

Hi Arch, are you saying your 08 ran at 194, and the 09 runs at 203? Or the 09 used to run at 194?

WV2008SS

Yeah the 2009 I've had about 10 months now and it usually runs about 194 but last week my wife drove it to her work place and it's about 20 minutes away and when she pulled it in the garage it had a burnt odor but I could not find anything wrong with it except the overflow tank was just a little low, I did not notice it till car was parked and 30 minutes later so not sure if it overheated or not. So I refilled the overflow with Dexcool with a higher level even though I could not see a full line in tank when hot. So when I check the temp it now runs up as high as 203 but no higher just wondering if it could be a sticky thermostat or something else going on.

Snoopy

If she idled it in the garage for a few minutes before turning it off, it may have raised the temp a little. Parking in the garage and idling would provide little air flow through the radiator. Did she indicate what the engine temp was while driving?

The electric fan wouldn't kick in until about 217 or so.....or if the a/c is turned on, I believe.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Yes, I idle in the garage at about 205*. It might be nothing, but you might want to check the coolant recovery tank every morning before you start the engine, when it's stone cold. Maybe put a small reference mark with a sharpie at the top of coolant level when cold. Then you will see if you're losing coolant.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Did she maybe run the A/C or defroster? Or recirc air?

Silverfox

The (air on) or (re-circulator on) to inside air will start the fans.
That should hold the temp to approx. the 190 area.

If you just sit and let it idle without the above or a coolish wind blowing directly into the grill area it should slowly creep up to approx. 217.

Then the fans should kick on and drop it to approx. 180 plus or minus and the cycle will continue as long as you continue to just idle.

SF

WV2008SS

Thanks for all the replies , to answer a couple questions. When she came home she pulled right into the garage and did not idle at anytime. I went out in the garage 30 to 45 minutes later and I smell something hot , so I don't know if maybe might of been a little hot when she came home and I just didn't see it. The car was not overheated when I started it so not sure what happen. I notice the over flow tank level was right at the bottom but not empty. I added fluid to it then but have not rechecked it since I've only drove the car once this week. I will keep a close on tank level now that I know where I filled it to.
It just seems weird that when I always checked the temperature of the car before it was always 194 but now it is 203. I never just leave dash reading on coolant temp I always have it on outside temp , although I have been watching it now. When I came home the other day and it was 203 the electric fan was running but I think the car was on defrost and I'm not sure this car is like my Camaro anytime defrost or AC is on fan runs.
I'm not sure if when running AC or defrost on when she came home that day. I'll watch level in over flow tank and watch temperature and also I am going to turn off heater-AC-defrost and let it idle till it warms up and see if fan kicks on and at what temperature that it does. I'm still thinking it might be thermostat but if car never gets above 203 not much use replacing since I've actually never seen it over heat yet.

firemangeorge

Checking the overflow tank is fine but you should also check the radiator to see if it's full.

Oldblue

I'm thinking , 2009, this could be the thermostat and Dexcool should be changed.
It should have been changed st 5 years old but seeing as you've only had the 09 for 10 months, it wouldn't hurt.
Old Dexcool isn't happy Dexcool!