I've done a search and can't seem to find an answer either way with the valve. Is it the 2006 that has the valve or is it the 2007 up that use it? Second, does anyone know where exactly it is located on the manifold? I'm looking for a 2.2l engine and like previous posters the wreckers ask if my engine has it or not, but they were unable to tell me what years have it.

They have one of each engine so it could save me some work if I can find out prior to purchasing. Both there engines are still in the vehicles so they can't tell me where it is either.

 

Perhaps you can find a clue here...

Chevy HHR Used Engines

 

I've changed my downpipe already and I don't remember seeing one on the manifold.

It used to be CARB models that require it.

Years ago, AIR piping was pretty easy to see. I'm guessing it should still be the same.

 

I have only heard of it on 2006 models

 

From what I've been able to find, there is a drilled hole on the left side of the exhaust manifold for the valve. It's very hard to tell looking at an engine still in the car, mainly because I'm unaware of what I'm looking for. They are very different from what I expected them to be. If no one can confirm this I will post my findings as soon as I get it sorted out.

 

Seems from the site Lawdawg88 posted your vin code will tell you

 

I thought so too, but the for 06 the "D" is with and without. I called a dealer, they searched my VIN and said, they came up with no valve for my engine. I can get my hand behind the engine and feel there is no valve, you need a mirror to see, with the engine in the car.

From my research, and what I can tell, the manifold is drilled and tapped on the drive side, where the manifold extends about 2" beyond the last tube where the valve should be.

Post 14 in my link has a picture of 2 manifolds and you can see the flat surface on the flange to the left of the last tube, where it would be drilled if you needed the valve.
GM Extrude Honed Manifold? - Cobalt SS Network

 

Not my 06.

 

I think only SOME 2006, if any have the AIR. If I remember right it was the pre HHR era.

The junk yards software does not care if it's an HHR or a G5 or a Cobalt or a ...etc. They tend to just match "2.2L is drilled/is not drilled". I know that the junkyard engine I put in my 2008 was from a car, don't know anything else about it, built in 2006 and was "not drilled". I gleaned that from the broadcast code that was still on the head.

 

That maybe where the confusion is from, the HHR may never received the AIR valve. Neither of my LS 2.2l HHR's have provisions for it and the wreckers called me to say the 06 HHR engine they have also has no drilled and tapped hole but a Cobalt engine they have does have it. If this is the case, it will be beneficial, because we can just block it off, it will only be a concern if you use an HHR engine in a Cobalt.