So I took my 2010 HHR SS out today for a drive and noticed this weird noise I've never heard a car engine make before. It's coming from the driver's side of the engine. The oil level is good and it's not coming from the serpentine belts or that side in general. If I rev it up, the noise gets faster. Already looked on the forum and cannot find something like this. Any ideas?


It sounds like it's coming from behind the cover with the 3 bolts on it shown in the video. Going to find a diagram to see what's in that area.

 

What's it sound like when you turn the wheel? Power steering?

 

That's the High Pressure Fuel Pump behind that cover. It could be that.

The power steering is electric, so it's not that.

 

yeah its not related and the power steering on this is electric.

Thanks! I will look at the diagrams to see where that is at. It just started doing it today.

 

My guess would be the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP). Use a mechanic’s stethoscope to find out where exactly the noise is.
Being this is a 2010 SS it will have the RPD gauge cluster. You could dial up the HPFP there and check the fuel pressure readings. Take a video of the RPD from a cold start to about 3 minutes.
High Pressure Fuel Pump should be covered with a noise deadening foam cover. (it's removed in this picture)

 

Thanks man! My buddy brought his mechanic stethoscope over and we're going to take a look at it tonight. I also pulled up the diagram on Alldata and it shows a camshaft follower that also can go bad. These are used on other direct injection motors and have a similar design and point of failure. #5 is that follower on the diagram below.


1 - Evaporative (EVAP) Emission Purge Solenoid Valve Bolt
2 - EVAP Purge Solenoid Valve
3 - Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Bolt
4 - MAP Sensor
5 - Fuel Pump Lifter
6 - High Pressure Fuel Pump Gasket
7 - High Pressure Fuel Pump O-Ring
8 - High Pressure Fuel Pump
9 - High Pressure Fuel Pump Bolt
10 - Fuel Feed Line
11 - Fuel Feed Line Bolt
12 - High Pressure Fuel Pump Insulator
13 - High Pressure Fuel Pump Cover
14 - High Pressure Fuel Line
15 - Fuel Injector Insulator
16 - Oil Indicator Tube
17 - Oil Indicator
18 - Intake Manifold Brace
19 - Intake Manifold Brace Stud
20 - Oil Indicator O-Ring
21 - Charger AIR Bypass Tube Clamp
22 - Charger AIR Bypass Tube Assembly
23 - Charger AIR Bypass Valve Tank Assembly Nut
24 - Charger AIR Bypass Valve Tank Assembly, Some Models
25 - Charger AIR Bypass Valve Solenoid Bolt
26 - Charger AIR Bypass Valve Solenoid
27 - Throttle Body Bolt
28 - Throttle Body
29 - Throttle Body Seal
30 - Power Brake Booster Fitting
31 - Intake Manifold
32 - Intake Manifold Gasket

 

So this is the diagram for HHR, corresponds to #11, which is

Cam FOL. FOL - Valve LFTR. Tappet. (Lower)

Part Number: 12590679

Fits HHR (2008 - 2010)

HIGH PRESSURE PUMP; Camaro. INJECTION PUMP; SRX.