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Jun 20, 2017 | 07:35 PM

#21

RJ_RS_SS_350

Moderator

Joined: 05-01-2014

Posts: 8,512

From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessplayer41

Well, I have taken it to a regular mechanic with no affiliation and talked to another ex Chevy mechanic and both are perplexed as to what this car is doing. No one can say for sure if it's the engine or the tranny. We did confirm that there is a leak at the flex pipe as OldBlue mentioned. If that's the culprit then I'm not understanding how exhaust could cause this issue regardless of the car being hot or cold. SO...looks like I will have to do what I have been dreading all along, take it in to the dealership and see how much they are going to hit me for just to tell me what's wrong with it...

Until then I'm still up for suggestions.

Why do you need someone else to tell you what's wrong? A broken flexpipe can cause all kinds of problems. It allows metered air to escape, it allows unmetered air to enter. This confuses the computer, causing the engine to fluctuate between rich and lean conditions.

Jun 20, 2017 | 08:06 PM

#22

donbrew

Moderator

Joined: 01-23-2009

Posts: 26,541

From: Fredericksburg,VA

Why not fix the part that is endangering your life and hope a bunch of internet bozos are right?

Jun 20, 2017 | 08:29 PM

#23

RJ_RS_SS_350

Moderator

Joined: 05-01-2014

Posts: 8,512

From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbrew

Why not fix the part that is endangering your life and hope a bunch of internet bozos are right?

Jun 21, 2017 | 09:56 AM

#24

Oldblue

Administrator

Joined: 10-13-2011

Posts: 40,096

From: Welland,Ont Canada

Bozo

Or Krusty

Jun 21, 2017 | 10:25 PM

#25

chessplayer41

Thread Starter

New Member

Joined: 06-17-2017

Posts: 13

From: Texas

Full circle...Started out with the exhaust and ended with the exhaust. A few small crack along the inside of the flex pipe was causing all this mess. Sealed the hole and now I'm back on the high way...just like that. All that money and in the end all I needed was about $2 worth of Muffler Weld paste place on the inside around the edges. Thanks to you all for the great advice. Looks like a have a new favorite forum...as long as I have my HHR.

Jun 21, 2017 | 11:28 PM

#26

firemangeorge

Platinum Member

Joined: 12-06-2009

Posts: 11,721

From: Alabama

FYI. That weld paste won't last. It's a flex pipe and thus flexes under torque from the engine. Weld paste doesn't flex.
Plan on replacing the flex pipe in the near future.

Jun 22, 2017 | 08:00 AM

#27

Oldblue

Administrator

Joined: 10-13-2011

Posts: 40,096

From: Welland,Ont Canada

You're gonna need at least one of these

But get it welded in!

Here's a how to

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ex-pipe-31536/

Last edited by Oldblue; Jun 22, 2017 at 09:02 AM.

Jun 25, 2017 | 08:54 AM

#28

chessplayer41

Thread Starter

New Member

Joined: 06-17-2017

Posts: 13

From: Texas

Yes the paste is only a temp fix so that I am able to go and get a new exhaust and CAT for $350. It still feels good going from a max of maybe 60 at full throttle to 75 coasting. Amazing how much a small exhaust leak can effect the performance.