Had the cylinder head replaced on the 2008 HHR LS 2.2L. It had been throwing a #2 cylinder misfire code off and on for probably 10,000 miles. Recently, the code began to occur more frequently and they checked it out and found low compression due to a burned valve. The repair was covered under the drive train warranty which I was thankful for but I am disturbed to have an engine problem with that low of miles. And a head exchange is a very invasive procedure. I can say that the dealership treated us well and even provided a rental as we had a trip scheduled.

We have been considering the purchase of another economy car by Christmas and have looked at the Cruze and the Sonic. This situation is causing second thoughts. Anyone else have valve issues on an HHR?

 

Every model of vehicle out there had an occasion to burn a valve...not every car..but a few of every model. Theres many reasons a valve can burn from a valve that didnt cast correctly to crappy gas. I wouldnt let it get you down..you just got unlucky

 

Did you see the valve? Most common failure is the valve seat in the head.

 

This is very unusual to hear of. Glad to hear they took care of you!

 

Shouldve added a poorly fitted valve also....but as said..many reasons

 

No, I didn't see the valve. I was heading out of town the day they fixed it and the head was probably back to the vendor by the time I got back. The car seems down on power but not throwing codes. May need to call the dealer to see if there is an explanation for that. I don't know how that engine is put together such as cam gear, belt or chain. I am just wondering if it is possibly a tooth off on the valve timing. It doesn't run awful, just not as peppy as it used to be and my mileage is down by about 2 mpg.

 

I just had a missfire cylinder #1 code come up on my 09 SS. Whats the worst case scenario for my car? I was just driving it under normal acceleration when this happened. The day prior I had made a 750 mile road trip with a bunch of stuff in the back, could the change in weight after such a distance contributed to this problem?
I live in PA and I have to get my car inspected soon. This will include the PA emission test would they be able to tell me anything?

 

How many miles on your SS Andy? Have you pulled the plugs to check them? The weight would only be an issue if you had it overloaded then "lugged" the engine repeatedly, otherwise I don't think there's any correlation.

Do you have the code number?

 

I had a burnt valve on cylinder 1 at 180,000 miles. I don't have any idea what caused it though.

 

I just hit 30000 the other week, I bought it on Jan 1st 2010. At least half of the miles have been highway and its made the one-day 750 mile road trip from Tennesse to Pennsylvania at least 5 times.

Any idea if a cat less DP or IC would cause this? I have the GM stg 1 tune and crazy steve IC and CIA IC pipes.