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Hi everybody I'm new here. I just picked up a 2010 HHR 2.2.L from a friend of mind, It has been sitting for a couple years after his mother passed away, anyways... he let me have it and flat bedded it over to my house. First thing I did was perform an oil change. The filter was collapsed and gummed up with sludge, damn thing looked like really crappy chocolate cake. I said screw it and replaced the filter and performed and oil change, To my surprise the thing ran alright besides a random misfire. I had codes for the cam solenoids too so I replaced those, it ran a little better. I ran some liquid Moly in the engine and did another oil change and the miss got a little better. Did it again with Seafoam and it ran slightly better still. I drove the car down the road a few miles and back without the check engine light even coming on but the misfire was still there. I knew what I had to do... take apart the engine and clean all the sludge out of it. The sludge is milky and not baked on, I think I lucked out. The car doesn't overheat, I did get a flash of the oil light but no nig deal. It runs pretty damn good for being neglected so I can't see myself swapping the engine out. So far, I removed the valve cover, the intake and the oil pan. Next, I'll be getting that timing cover off, the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head. I'm hoping I can just clean the crap out of all the parts and replaced the timing cover/oil pump and timing components associated with it. Just wanted to share my experience. Do your oil changes and run intake and fuel system cleaner.
Last edited by GrumpyMrGrouper; Aug 6, 2025 at 07:29 AM.
What are the codes? What do you mean "missing"?
If the oil looks "milky" do you mean like "chocolate milk"? That would indicate coolant getting into the oil.
I would run some Seafoam in the oil for 1,000, or so miles and do an oil change.
Collapsed oil filter is normal.
Check the chain before replacing it, any slack between the sprockets is bad.
It has a P0300 random miss. The sludge must have been too thick to work the cam actuators, oil passage ways etc. I almost got the whole engine out for cleaning and performing a leak down test. There’s no way I’m reusing the timing cover and oil pump so that’s getting replaced. I just can’t believe the car ran and didn’t over heat or blow up. These must be good engines. I cleaned up the oil pan, oil pickup tube and valve cover along with the dipstick tube and valve cover. The oil was not baked on at all so cleaning it was time consuming but rewarding. I just have to wait for some money to come in so I can buy a hoist and engine stand. Too bad there’s an EPA and I care about the environment or id just pressure wash the whole damn thing. What a freaking mess!!! Not going to attempt it, new pump and new cover required. So much better! Nothing a little elbow grease couldn’t clean up Just like new!
I just didn't know where to put it. This is a personal war story so far, the battle against a neglected engine. I'm hoping to have it all up in running within the month.
Thanks, I plan on replacing all the timing components... sprockets, guides, tensioners, VVT's, chains, water pump, etc. I'm not going to take any changes and reuse the stuff that was exposed to the abuse this engine has taken. Besides, more parts replacing means less cleaning for me.
Sounds like you plan on keeping this car for a long time, don’t go cheap on the timing chain, I’ve had one that stretched after only 20,000 miles and the front guide is a weak point for the upper bolt to fail and the lower parts to vibrate loose and break apart….. bend valves and pistons destroyed!
