Sidecardog1

One other thing that could be the problem is worn top motor mount or the lower mounts. easy test is to squirt some silicone spray on them and see if it goes away. Cheap & easy to do.

donbrew

The point seems to be: it could be any of at least 7 things, don't throw parts at noises. Also COULD be alternator bearing, A/C bearing, front main oil seal/bearing.... I got more. Use the cheap stethoscope to save yourself money!

firemangeorge

"it sounds like it's coming from the back of the engine somewhere, anyone have any thoughts?"
From the 1st post.

donbrew

Short answer "yes". But this is the InterWebThingy, and everybody is at least one (or has one).

DaytonaBlueMetallic

I'm toying with the idea of taking it to my Chevrolet dealer just to have a factory certified team give the transmission, and clutch a thorough going over. I have an awesome private mechanic that I've trusted for 7 years, but I'm being really picky about this car.

As to the intake response, I'll look into that, because it did sound like it was coming from the back of the engine.

As far as replacing the idler pulley, I already know it's going to be a nightmare. That engine is shoehorned in there....LITTERALY, but I insist on fixing problems before they become too obvious.

DaytonaBlueMetallic

Michelle, I love my HHR, it's one of the most interesting looking cars I've ever come across, and so fun to fiddle around with and make my own, it's the one car that pulled me away from Ford products, and overall I'm very happy with it. It has it's unique idiosyncrasies, but as they come up, I'm slowly either fixing them, or upgrading them. I went into it knowing I was buying a 5 speed car with an engine that a layperson would immediately think "ooh, let's go racing" 2.4 Twin Cam always sounds meaty to the tuners... I took a gamble. seeing that the car only had 50,000 miles on it, and so far, no major horror stories. I think it says a lot that I bought the car in February '12 and in the next few days I will have put 10,000 miles on the car. Having had the car for just over 5 months, I'd say that's a testament to the build quality and reliability of this thing. I'm still learning what to look for. (widely publicized consumer reviews don't yield as much info as this sight has in the few days I've belonged to it.) The ultimate plan with the car, lovingly referred to as BEATBOX is taking it's first steps toward being a stealth custom, but before that happens, I want it to be back to showroom stock condition, or better.

DaytonaBlueMetallic

I am noticing a "grinding" feeling in the clutch pedal just before it's fully depressed...don't know if that would have anything to do with a throwout bearing or not...I guess I should divulge that this is the first standard transmission car I've ever owned, so I have to admit I don't know exactly what to look for when it comes to failures/problems with clutches or standard gearboxes...I've always had Ford automatics 93' Mercury cougar, '01 Ford Taurus...except for one horrific (brief) foray into an automatic Dodge Spirit...could have pulled an Elvis and shot the damn thing. I'm good with engines, but transmissions are still a point of uncomfortability for me

843de

That "grinding" feeling may be a clue to the problem, now the throwout bearing is at the head of the suspects list.

DaytonaBlueMetallic

Any ideas on how much that would cost to replace?

Blue_SS

The part is around $150 to $170, it looks like, and labor is going to be pretty significant. Make sure you need to do this before you get into it...