I've to an 06 HHR LT. Just recently it's been a little hard to start, cranks a little more before it fires up. It runs fine, not engine light, but after I shut it off there's a strong gas fume around the car. Any ideas?

 

First off - if you are parking it inside a garage, carport or adjacent to your home, move it away in case you end up with a fire situation.

A bit more information would probably help - ie: have you already done any troubleshooting on your own? Have you looked to see if fuel is leaking onto the ground at all? Have you opened the hood while the engine is running to see if you can spot a fuel leak?

 

I haven't seen any fuel on the ground. Doing a bit a googling I found a recall for 06 Cobalts for the exact problem I seem to be having. It's a fuel pump issue. I know the HHR and Cobalt are the same platform so I'm going to call my dealer on Monday.

 

Just a word of caution to all; I learned, years ago, to carry a fire extinguisher in all my vehicles. A by-product of my racing and car building past, that has come in handy, once or twice in over 50 years of dealing with gasoline powered contraptions. I even carry two in my small squareback camping trailer, one inside the cabin, and one in the storage/galley area (where I carry Coleman lantern an stove, a generator, and an extended-run fuel tank). Always be prepared for fire!

 

The EVAP valves can do that, one under the hood and one behind the gas tank.

No recall. You don't have to call a dealer; just go to :https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gm-r...-status-50716/

 

The rear EVAP

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-44780/

 

A 2006 in Illinois? You have GMs rusted fuel lines. Check on the frame just in front of the driver's side rear wheel.