Hello,
I own a 2010 2.2l HHR LS. My question has anyone experienced piston/compression issues? I was driving along at about 60MPH and heard a loud bang, I thought I hit something. Loss of power, engine hesitation and running rough, I towed it home. It still starts. I performed a compression test and the #3 cylinder has zero compression. I also noticed that the #3 piston will not come up to dead center when I hand crank it, it reaches a max travel of about an inch, but I can physically push it down with a little resistance with a plastic rod. I'm thinking broken connecting rod, but when it is running, I don't hear any metal or banging. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!!!!!

 

Yeah broken connecting rod is likely the issue - You will not know exactly the problem until one tears the engine down for an inspection.
However at this point I would suspect your engine is toast with likely:

- broken connecting rod
- broken piston
- damaged/toasted valves in cyl #3
- damage to the #3 cylinder wall

How many miles on the engine? And I have to ask.... when was the oil level checked last? And did you check the oil level immediately after the incident?

Replacing the engine with a used one is likely the most cost effective method of fixing it. And just stick with replacing the 2.2 with a 2.2.

PS: running the engine at this point will likely just cause more damage, but I suspect that at this point it doesn't really matter.

 

Welcome to the site, x2 stop running or turning over the engine.
Are you thinking a used 2.2 from a dismantling yard?

https://www.ebay.ca/b/Complete-Engin...615/bn_1347649

 

Member came back at 4:50 pm yesterday - did not respond to any questions left here.

 

Perhaps, didn’t find a magic solution to the problem, or was on a short break at work? Maybe no wifi, limited data plan for the phone?

 

Thank you for repling!

I did a leak down check, only heard air from intake (Intake valves stuck?). As to the block, no visable damage. The oil looks good. I have just under 75,000 miles on the engine and used synthetic oil every change at 3500 mile intervals and maintenance was upkept impeccably. Looks like I'll be seaching for a used engine, even though the rest of the car is in excellent shape, I can't justify $4000 for a crate engine. Im very surprised this type of breakdown happened with so little milage.

 

Sorry for the late reply guys!!!!

 

I am confused. How do you know that one piston only moves an inch without taking the head off? Did you do the same to the other cylinders?

How can you tell there is no visible damage to the block?

If the compression shows no compression on #3 and leak down on #3 is audible through the intake then you are looking at a broken valve. Intake valves don't usually burn.

Did you pop the valve cover off to observe the timing chain and cams?

I think you are over reacting to the unknown. Maybe a professional would be better than the internet. Maybe you did hit something and did the compression test wrong?

I don't know what your background is so forgive me for assuming anything.

I could get into my theory about Canadians massing on the border for an invasion, but that is another level of paranoia. Why else would 90% of the population live within 20 miles of the border?

 

There are no codes?

The leak down test should be done on all 4 cylinders, noting the percentage of leakage, as well as where the leak is. You're listening in the intake system, the exhaust system, the crankcase, and looking for bubbles in the cooling system.

Here's the how-to, be sure to read my post #6, there's some info you may need.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-engine-56053/

 

Sounds like a timing chain issue then the valve slammed into the piston and broke the rod.
tear it down and have a look!

Don , we live close to the border, because the black flies and ticks are very hard to live with, then those huskies pee just anywhere they please!