Need some advice. 2009 HHR SS Auto. with just under 170k miles. Timing components replaced by dealer at around 145k miles. All stock except for ZZP tune, TMAP sensors, intake, and downpipe. Unsure of the age of the turbo, as I have only owned the car for 30k miles.

In the last 10k miles or so, I am noticing clouds of blue smoke out of the exhaust after I accelerate hard for 5 or 10 seconds and then let off the gas and decelerate for about 5 seconds. It also occurs if I maintain speed at low RPMs going up a slight incline. It started off minor but is getting worse as time goes on. It does not smoke at idle on cold starts but does smoke slightly after the acceleration/deceleration cycle mentioned above.

Has anyone had experience with this? I've tried combing through other posts on here, but nothing I read seems to match my symptoms. However, my research is pointing me towards valve seals, piston rings, the PCV system, or turbo seals. I haven't performed a compression test, but that seems like the best and easiest place to start to hopefully eliminate piston rings. Thought I would ask before tearing into it. Thanks in advance!

 

You’re on the right track, valve seals are most common items that cause the blue smoke. Coked valve stems are a product of the direct injection system. Are you going to be doing the work or the dealership?

 

I would be thinking turbo.

 

Could be, I wonder if a treatment of Seafoam or Marvel Mystery oil would clear things up?

 

Thank you, gentlemen! I will try these recommendations and report back.

 

Do the compression test. Be mentally prepared to also perform a cylinder leak down test.

Aftermarket intake, does it have the fresh air inlet to the back of the head? This is part of the PCV system. The stock setup has a check valve attached to the piping that connects the airbox to the turbo inlet. This is metered air, right after the MAF sensor.

 

I definitely will plan for that too. Yes, it does have the fresh air inlet. I'm planning to check and/or replace both PCV valves (top of engine and intake manifold) pending the results of the compression and leakdown tests.

 

I will be doing the diagnosis myself, yes. If the repair is the turbo, PCV system, or valve seals, I will do the repair myself. If the rings are shot, I will have to make the decision of repair vs. replace with a ZZP motor. This is just a spare spring/summer/fall car, so I may get a wild hair and drop the engine cradle myself, depending on how brave I feel 😅

 

Update: I took off the PCV valve on the top of the engine, and I can blow air through it in only one direction (air flows from intake to engine, no air flows from engine to intake). That tells me that valve is good. Next up is compression test and checking the PCV valve in the intake.

 

One down , keep going! The process of elimination!