About six weeks ago I got a hole in my muffler. The hole is up on the flex part of the muffler. All the shops and mechanics said they could not weld it they would have to replace it and the cost was around $700. While waiting to save the money for that yesterday the check engine light came on I had it checked at advanced auto and the following codes came up PO 102, 113, 171, 455. I can do a little work myself. I know I have to have the muffler done first and try to change out the sensors myself if I can. Any thoughts or suggestions on what sensors and what parts and how I should go about changing what I can do myself. I'm going to have the muffler done this week The cheapest quote I got was from Meinicke.

 

Note the code is P0xxx, not pO - big difference.

P0103 = Mass Air Flow - check to ensure the MAF sensor is plugged in properly
P0113 = Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input
P0171 - System Too Lean (Bank 1)
P0455 - Evap System Large Leak Detected - check your gas cap - it may need replacement if the gasket is worn

Have you done a search for the individual codes here using the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page? Lots of tips, hints, and suggestions, solutions for the parts involved.

For the first three, have you had any of the intake tube components from the throttle body to the air cleaner apart recently?

 

I forgot to mention my HHR is a 2008 LT 2.2 L with 205,000 miles

 

Yes as a matter of fact I did have the intake tube components from the throttle body to the air cleaner apart yesterday. It was just before my check engine light came on. I took the air cleaner off to get to my coolant overfill bottle because I thought it had a crack in it and it didn't. I put everything back together I want to want to start my car up the check engine light was on.

 

I did search the codes out on here. The first thing I did was to look at my gas cap and it was a little loose so hopefully that takes care of itself. The other three codes are the ones I'm confused with. The 102 I'm pretty sure that's the sensor leading into the air filter I can do that one myself the other two 113 and 171 are the ones I think I would need help with

 

I'd go back and double check all the connectors and the intake tube connections - sounds to me like an air leak or bad connection when it was all put back together.

 

Thanks for your help. You got me thinking. Yesterday I took the air breather off and the hoses hooked up to it. To get to the coolant recovery bottle because I thought it was leaking. And when I had everything off I revved the engine a little bit to see if I could see a leak or something and to make sure the coolant was circulating and it was. I think that's when my check engine light came on. I just went outside and I unhooked the negative line on the battery for five minutes. The check engine light went off I took it for a ride and so far it has stayed off. But back to my original problem it was leaking anti-freeze from the bottle. I found out where it was leaking from there's a little hole behind the bottle on top across from where the bolt goes in. that is where it's leaking from. The bottle must fill up and then it comes out the little hole on top. It looks like the whole is supposed to be there. I'm not sure. Do you know if the hole is supposed to be there and why would the bottle fill up ?

 

I just checked my 07 2.2 L and I did not see a hole.
The flex pipe you speak of is cracked as you say, the muffler shops will want to replace the entire pipe. With a few tools and some spray lube rust blaster type fluid, you could just order a new pipe from Walker there on EBay under $200.00
Mine even came with gaskets and bolts

http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/311462210938


Or have one of these welded on to replace your broken flex pipe

http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/111746091081

 

I just added a photo of my recovery tank on the gallery you can see the hole at the top left of the tank. The pictures from the rear of the tank. I'm just driving my car again and then check engine light came back on. I thought maybe it would stay off. I don't have the tool to check the codes I go to Advanced auto and they check it for free. I want to stop by there tomorrow again and see if the same codes are detected

 

Yeah, no that hole is a hole and not factory approved!