Engine Shot
 

Howdy Folks!

I have been reading this forum for quite a long time and have gathered quite a bit of valuable information. For this, I thank you all for your input.

Now it comes a time where I need to ask some assistance. I was driving my 2006 HHR with the 2.2, when I heard some rattling...as if the oil was low. I was away from home, so I put a quart of oil in and headed back home. I noticed that my low end torque was non existent as I was driving. I was trying to find a good place to pull over (there were no shoulders and this part of DFW they like to drive 90-to-nothing). As I slowed down on a service road, my HHR died. Died and would not start. I had a sinking feeing that the engine was toast.

Yep. It was/is. A local (reputable) shop said that the engine needs replaced. The main rod bearing and/or the lower arm bearings were trashed, and there was a lot of metallic debris in the oil.

I am trying to think of the best thing to do. $4000 is a lot to spend on a car that has 130,000 miles on it (and that I still owe a little bit on).

I do not know if I should find another 2006 2.2 and replace the engine or decided to purchase another vehicle. My father-in-law can help me find someone to replace the engine if I find an engine at an auto salvage yard. That will lower the price some.

Part of me is hesitant, as that is a lot of $$$, and I took care of my HHR. I had to depend upon that car, so I made sure things were up to date (I managed to get over 200,100+ miles on my old Dakota and wanted to do the same for my Sin Wagon).

I am rambling, and I apologize for that.

Any advice for this teacher?

Thanks a heap!

Jim

Sounds like you ran it low on oil?

You are on the right track with using the same engine from the same year - that would be a good move for sure.

If you can find a lower mileage used engine with a warranty that would be a bonus.

It's up to you though - to sell it as it is (and it's not going to be worth much at all) - or throw another couple thousand into it and hopefully get another 100K miles out of it.

That is the puzzling part. It was a quart low. No leaks and no smoke.

If I can locate an engine with low miles and a warrantee, I may do that if the labor cost is not too expensive.

I think someone here quoted that they were charged something like $1200 for the labour for the swap. Not positive, but that sounds like a reasonable amount to me.

there are quite a few posts here about engine swaps - if you want to do some background reading give the SEARCH tool a try, but set some time aside for a bit of reading cause it will keep you busy for a while :).

Here's one with almost your identical situation (2.2L) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...acement-42740/

Thanks!

Welcome to the site, sorry to hear your engine has expired, now first things first, search 2006 2.2 HHR engine on E-bay and see if the used engine is the way to go, 'cause the HHR with a dead engine is not going to sell for much.

I paid $1200 labor + $850 parts, for my 2008 swap.

2006 has a completely different motor, but Ion, Cobalt, one of those G cars and millions of others use it. Best to go to a local junkyard and have them locate & install.