Good morning, NEW 2009 HHR SS Panel owner. Yesterday I managed to secure the purchase of one of the 216 manufactured. It is going to need some work to be streetable again,, According to the seller the engine has been diagnois with timing chain failure at a little over 100K miles, therefore at the very least I know it will require head work along with the new timing chain to be driveable.
Please let me know of the pitfalls of working on the ECOTECH 2.0 turbo and what to may expect dollar wise doing it myself. I've been a professional mechanic for the past 45 + yrs. taking on many restorations of modern and classic car projects so this doesnt bother me at all to undertake.. I just would like to get some advice from those with experience, mainly the best approach on tackling the engine work to effect repairs properly.
The Silver body has minor nicks and scrapes with the clear coat peeling (mostly on the hood and fenders). Absolutely no rust it will need repaint to be perfect. Interior is really nice,, Boost gauge intact and all trim in and out, new tires on the original 18 inch alloy wheels.
Thanks in advance . Pictures to come

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Welcome aboard & Congrats on the SS Panel. I'm sure the SS guys may jump in here soon.
They can guide you more that I can on the SS.

 

Welcome
A kit containing both chains and guides runs about $120. You will need gaskets and probably want a beefier lower chain guide bolt. If the chain didn't break the head is most likely OK. I'm sure Oldblue will be by shortly, he has the bolt details. Easy job for a mechanic, about 5 hours flat rate.

With the clear coat peeling you know the previous owner went to the car wash frequently.

 

Welcome to the site, congratulations on your SS purchase!

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...in-kits-60394/

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...de-bolt-62897/


Two how to threads about timing chains and that front guide upper bolt.

 

Sleeper..
thanks man,, I your avatar

 

Thanks Don
.. The guy I purchased from was in his mid 70s , he said he didn't want to get deep into the engine, so he decided to sell it as is,, Lucky for me I purchased it for a very fair price considering it is one of 216,
I have not pulled the valve cover yet, what is the best method to back off the valves without turning the engine over, so that I may inject compressed air in the cylinders thru the spark plug hole to determine if I have bent valves. If I determine the engine is not worth fixing for any reason, I intend to replace it with another of the same.
Pictures in my photo album
Thanks guys

 

Thanks Old Blue
I will read up before I tear anything down,,

 

You have to remove the camshafts to relax the valves . You could use a boroscope they aren’t very expensive and you just look for valve marks on the piston tops.

 

Thanks Ole Blue,, I kinda figured it would be best to stick a boroscope in the hole to see what is going on,,,,, Hoping the cylinder walls are not scored up. With 117000 miles it should be ok if it wasn't overheated,,, that will be another story if the walls are all skivved up,, One day at a time I guess,, Its only $$$ LOL