My HHr has 48000 miles. Took it in for a tune-up/oil change because the check engine was on. Took it to a TiresPlus because I had such bad experiences with dealerships. They ran diagnostic and discovered that cylinder 1 ignition coil was bad. Replaced it along w/tune-up. Picked it up and still running bad. Idling rough, shifting hard on take off. Brought it back and again showing bad ignition coil. The mechanic called Chevy dealer and brought it there. They discovered that the valves were burned out and replaced them. Again, I picked it up and once again still running bad. Brought it back to Chevy and they said that the problem is no the wrong plugs. Took it back to the 1st mechanic, he replaced the plugs with what the dealer told him and still not right. Took it back again to the dealer and now they say the head is bad and has to be replaced. I'm very frustrated with this situation. I would like to know if there is anyone out there that has had any problems of this magnitude.

 

Sorry about these problems, but I have never had issues with a vehicle to this magnitude. But from what I see, the issue may be the incompetance of the dealership. How can they replace burned valves and then diagnose a bad cylinder head? Looks like double dipping...

 

I think I would quit taking it to Tires Plus. Seems like a bad diagnostic and then they installed the wrong plugs. Really went downhill from there.

Good luck

 

In defense of Tiresplus, they installed Bosch plugs that were correct but the dealership said that they are not what the manufacturer calls for. I have spoken with several mechanics, outside of the dealership, and they all concur that the Bosch are perfectly fine. I'm just having a hard time believing that the valves burned out without there being another underlying issue. Very uncommon. But thank you for your comment.

 

OK, so they installed Bosch plugs. But were they the right ones for your ride? Reading what you wrote, they were not. You went in with a CEL on, they relaced a coil, do you know what the code was? Replaceing a coil should have fixed the problem if that was it. Then they replaced plugs and now you have burnt valves. Still sounds like the wrong plugs were put in. If they were too long, too short, heat range way off........ Going from a "coil" problem to burnt valves is kinda out there.

Once again, good luck.

 

Everything I have read about late model GM engines is that they do not like anything other than OEM plugs. Burned out valves at 48k? I haven't had a major engine problem like this since the late '70s. You have a very bad dealer, and bad tech at Tires Plus. I wouldn't let Tires Plus touch my cars if I was desperate. Try another dealer or look for an independent shop with a good reputation. One place you can look is Car Talk's recommended mechanic's list. Even if it is a bad head, you really need a second opinion on this since neither shop got it right the first time.

 

The valve problem was not caused by the plugs.

I'm not sure I understand your story completely. Who did the valve job?

I hope you know you have a powertrain warranty for the valves and the head.

 

Oh, yeah. What the heck is a "tune-up" at 48K?
New plugs at 100K and maybe clean the Throttle body and MAF sensor sometime in there. Somebody getting ripped!
Maybe not Exhaust/Intake valves?
Codes only tell you what diagnostic procedure to follow, not as it would seem specific problems. MOST mechanics don't understand that point.
If somebody did a valve job, and then the engine lite came on, I'd guess a vacuum hose or wire loose.

Did anybody think of tightening the gas cap first?

 

Yes, I do know that these issues are covered by the powertrain. The valve job was done at the Chevy dealership. They have no reason for why they burnt out. My question to them was how could they replace the valves and not check the head. Will the problems end here is my concern? Very disguntled with the dealerships in my area. Don't know who to believe or trust. I respect others opinions but the mechanic from Tiresplus, in my opinion, was very honest. He is the one who contacted the dealership on my behalf and didn't charge me for some of the work. I brought my HHR in because the engine light was on and requested the tune-up/oil change hoping that would fix the problem. The plugs were burnt and needed to be replaced.

 

My first reaction to the engine light was to check the gas cap. I even bought a new one.