Hello. I own a 2009 Chevy HHR with 114K Miles on it and a new Transmission because the other one went out at 94K miles. About 3 weeks ago I was driving down the street and my car started shaking like it was going to stall on me and when you give it gas it has this really awful sound and whine to it like it is not getting enough fuel or something and then out of no where it starts acting right again and all is good. Back in early April my service engine light came on and said one of the fuel injectors was acting up. I always put pure gas in my car so I let it get low and put a can of seafoam in it cleared the code and drove to Texas for a funeral and it ran GREAT! (I live in OKC metro) my service engine light has not been on since April. Last night I back out of the garage and start going down the street all of the sudden the car starts shaking again this time worse than before I had the A/C cranked up to high and even that started to lose power. I would give it gas and same thing a bad whine and it sounded like the motor was not getting gas even tapping the gas pedal the car was slow to react. I continued driving and it eventually straightened up. I plan on changing the spark plugs soon as they are original to the car when I bought it back in 2009 and have 114K miles on them. Can anyone give me advice on what you think my problem is?

 

Welcome!

Plugs are good for 100K; so, a good start.
The CEL does not talk, what was the code (P0xxx), not the description.
Maybe it is not getting enough gas, could be fuel pump.
Where is the whine coming from?
Is the CEL on now, if it is what is the code.

 

The whine sounded like it was coming from the engine and for the life of me I can't remember the code number for the life of me.

 

Dirty air filter, MAF sensor, throttle body.
All possibilities

 

I had the air filter replaced back in May so it can't be that dirty.

 

Why not run another can of seafoam thru it now and as soon as you have done that change the spark plugs using only the correct AC OE plugs.
Then run it and see if you get a code.
When/if you do .. Post it up here right away to get additional help.

Personally I would follow up by running the "Techron complete fuel system cleaner" every other tank full for 2 or 3 bottles.
I buy it at Walmart in the 10 Fluid ounce size and that treats 1 full tank of fuel.
It is not expensive there.

The above steps will be beneficial to your HHR whether you have an addition issue or not.

SF

 

The only codes that have anything like "fuel injectors was acting up" have to do with the electrical circuits not the injector being dirty. SeaFoam is not what helped. You have a wire shorting or a bad connection somewhere.

Maybe the new transmission is broken?

 

Could be they forgot to connect the fuel injectors ground wire , drivers end of the cylinder head