Lifter noise??
 

I have a 2007 HHR 2.4 with 230,000 miles. I've had it for many years and always kept it well maintained. A little over a week ago, I started it in the morning and I heard a lot of what sounded like lifter noise. Along with that, it was running poorly. Within a few minutes, the noise subsided and the car ran good again, but I had a check engine light on. It was the code P0014. I did a little research and many people indicated that it may be the exhaust variable timing solenoid. I replace it and changed the oil, even though it was still a 68%. The car ran great the rest of the day, but the next morning, the same lifter noise and then the check engine light, same code P0014. I am, and always have, used the correct weight oil (5W30). I see a lot of problems reported with the timing chain tensioner and I looks like it's a fairly easy repair, but I don't want to start throwing parts needlessly at this of I can help it. My question is has anyone had this problem occur and what was your solution? Could I have a bad lifter causing this problem? I tried doing a search for threads about lifter noise, but nothing came up. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

My P0014 code in my 2011 2.4 , was a loose timing chain

Yes, p0014 is the timing chain. Do not crank the engine anymore, at risk of destroying the engine.

NOT lifter noise, timing chain rattle.

This morning I bought a timing chain tensioner and valve cover gasket set. This is what I found when I pulled off the valve cover. Not good.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f0aab56361.jpg

I put it back together with the new tensioner, no inprovement. The only problem I have is there is noise (Lifters? loose timing chain?) for about 1 minute after a cold start. The rest of the day, it sounds fine. I'm pretty sure I have some clogged up oil galleries due to all that sludge. I could live with that for a while if it didn't trip this P0014 engine code during that time the engine makes noise. Anyway, I changed the oil and I put some Seafoam in the oil, I'm going to run it for a few hundred miles and change the oil again. Maybe several times doing this will help. P.S. Anyone want to buy a 2009 HHR Half panel with SS wheels? Just needs engine!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...96679f7be0.jpg

It’s not the engine just the timing chain and front guide! The new style tensioner is for the rear or the timing chain, it’s the front guide that breaks .

I get the feeling Stumann isn't reading replies. Maybe shouting will help. IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. Rattle that goes away after warm up is a classic symptom. Replace both chains verrrrry soon or you will need a new engine, for sure.

I do read the replies. If it were the timing chain, why does it quiet down to normal within a minute of the first start in the morning and never make any noise the rest of the day? I would think a worn chain would be noisy all the time. Also, isn't all that sludge an indication that the engine is near the end of it's life?

The oil seems to have been left in to long, but that can be cleaned out with Seafoam , Mystery oil, or I’m sure there are others.
it appears to me , but the angle is hard to tell the timing chain looks slack, could be the front guide broke.

Since the overwhelming majority seems to feel it's the timing chain, that my project for tomorrow. I'll let you know how it turns out.:smile:

I see it too, oldblue. The timing chain is loose.

Because that is the way heat and metal and lubrication works. P0014 does NOT mean the sensor or the VVT valve is bad, it means the sensor is working and telling you that the chain is loose.

All that sludge indicates that the oil has never been changed. It is not good, it can affect the VVT valve performance etc. BUT, your main problem is a bad timing set.

I think that is Dino oil residue, synthetic is a different colour.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...08d98f01c.jpeg
This chain triggered my P0014, note the oil colour, I run 5w30 full synthetic Dexos Castrol Edge

I have been faithful with my oil changes based on the oil life percentages, however sometime it seemed like I went 5K to 7K miles in between changes. And I would change it when it got down to between 35% or 40%. Yes, all I used was petroleum oil. If this T'Chain replacement works out, it's time for a serious engine flushing.

I used that Marvel Mystery oil, once to clean out the Dino oil.

I had a 2008 LS that began to make chain noises on startup, 90K miles, maybe? Was totally prepared to have the chains done, but because it had the old timing chain tensioner, I decided to try upgrading that first. It worked. Apparently the old tensioner has stopped tensioning.

You've bought yourself a little time. The new tensioner has marginally more travel than the old design.

I just thought I'd post a follow up on my "lifter noise". I replaced the timing chain, tesioners, guides, etc. (kit from O'Reilly's). Nothing showed any visible signs of wear. I did change the oil when I did the timing chain and added a few ounces of Seafoam to the oil. I did not replace the timing cam gears since it is the VVT system, that was another $200. When I first started it after the install, there was a lot of noise for about 5 seconds, then things quieted down,but not gone completely. I drove it around, maybe 10 miles, and it got very quiet, however that was the way it reacted before I installed the new timing chain. During that first test drive, I did have one incident of the Check engine light coming on, the same code P0014 but haven't had it since. The next morning, some noise at start up, but not near what I was experiencing before. I put 500 miles on it and things seemed to get better every day. I just changed oil again, this time no Seafoam, and it seem to be doing very well (knock on wood). Except for that first day, no more check engine light and no more noise. Thanks for everyone's help, I don't think I would have suspected the timing chain if not for you guys.

The VVT system may have needed that new oil and Seafoam to clean out the solenoids and the cam phasers, and now they are cleaned up and much happier!

That's what I suspect. I have always changed oil faithfully, but I also have a shop on my rural property that I drive back and forth to almost daily. Unfortunately that drive is only about 1000 ft one way. I think that is probably bad to drive such a short distance and never allowing the engine to reach operating temperature. It's only a few days a week that I drive somewhere long enough to warm the engine properly. Probably the cause of all the sludge in the engine. Time to invest in a golf cart.