p0016 and check engine light not working Need help in Cleveland
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-16-2016
Posts: 64
From: ohio
p0016 and check engine light not working Need help in Cleveland
Hello fellow hhr owners! I am new to these vehicles glad i found this site!i am in a very tough situation atm.
i recent just bought a 2008 hhr ls from a budget dealer traded my 97 dodge dakota 4x4 that had very little issues now my problem is the the car drives fine but I've noticed after really going over the engine the valve cover doesn't match the year and a few things are off that being said i want to fix the issues it has and I am hoping someone that lives in cleveland can help me fix her up and so i am able to pass echeck and be able to use it to get my family member my mother to appointments and transport my child when i need to...as far as what i have looked up this code ranges to many things common fix being timing chain or cam actuator solenoid for the common fix i have pictures of my engine but not sure how to post them here long story short i was able to get 1500 to purchase this vehicle i dont have much more money left to keep dumping into it i really want to fix it and hopefully someone can help me do it affordably so thats were i am at please ask any questions you want as i am running out of time and didn't expect an 08 to have a major issue like this or minor depends on were we go from here i love the hhr but might just sell it..if i am unable to get some help with it thx in advance Robert
i recent just bought a 2008 hhr ls from a budget dealer traded my 97 dodge dakota 4x4 that had very little issues now my problem is the the car drives fine but I've noticed after really going over the engine the valve cover doesn't match the year and a few things are off that being said i want to fix the issues it has and I am hoping someone that lives in cleveland can help me fix her up and so i am able to pass echeck and be able to use it to get my family member my mother to appointments and transport my child when i need to...as far as what i have looked up this code ranges to many things common fix being timing chain or cam actuator solenoid for the common fix i have pictures of my engine but not sure how to post them here long story short i was able to get 1500 to purchase this vehicle i dont have much more money left to keep dumping into it i really want to fix it and hopefully someone can help me do it affordably so thats were i am at please ask any questions you want as i am running out of time and didn't expect an 08 to have a major issue like this or minor depends on were we go from here i love the hhr but might just sell it..if i am unable to get some help with it thx in advance Robert
Last edited by irishkiley; Mar 27, 2016 at 07:09 AM.
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Welcome.
A p0016 typically points to a cam chain and its guides unfortunately. And that is not an easy owner-fix, unless you are very handy mechanically, and have a few good tools. It does not have anything to do with the cam actuator solenoids.
Usually cam chain problems are encountered only on high mileage cars. How many miles are on it?
Have you noticed a rattle when the engine is first started, then disappears?
A p0016 typically points to a cam chain and its guides unfortunately. And that is not an easy owner-fix, unless you are very handy mechanically, and have a few good tools. It does not have anything to do with the cam actuator solenoids.
Usually cam chain problems are encountered only on high mileage cars. How many miles are on it?
Have you noticed a rattle when the engine is first started, then disappears?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-16-2016
Posts: 64
From: ohio
98k, whopper thx for the reply thats why i was hoping a memeber could help me save my hhr!
as far as rattle no rattle had a gm tech look at it and he said it ran fine and that i prolly need a new chain but hes been busy and i dont know who else could help me on it but a memeber from here who knows how to fix it or has already i mean im not too bad with tools we just replaced the serpentine belt on it just did new brakes and i put new tires on but now i got this issue!hopefully someone would be willing to help me fix it..should i get a cam sensor first and see if that gets rid of the code or whats my best options?
as far as rattle no rattle had a gm tech look at it and he said it ran fine and that i prolly need a new chain but hes been busy and i dont know who else could help me on it but a memeber from here who knows how to fix it or has already i mean im not too bad with tools we just replaced the serpentine belt on it just did new brakes and i put new tires on but now i got this issue!hopefully someone would be willing to help me fix it..should i get a cam sensor first and see if that gets rid of the code or whats my best options?
Last edited by irishkiley; Mar 27, 2016 at 07:11 AM.
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I don't recall seeing a p0016 being resolved by replacing the cam sensor, but do a search using the SEARCH tool at the top of the page looking for the error code p0016 and check out some of the previous posts related to it.
A number of people have taken a preventive step for the cam chain by installing a revised/updated chain tensioner - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-rattle-46159/
I can't see any documentation here in the How-To section on the procedure to replace the timing chain. It's a fairly complicated procedure and if done even slightly wrong can result in a thrashed set of valves at the very least.
Most of the time those doing a cam chain replacement will also do a water pump replacement - and this documentation courtesy of DonBrew detailing the water pump replacement may give you a better feeling on whether replacing the cam chain is something you want to do yourself. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-56476/
A number of people have taken a preventive step for the cam chain by installing a revised/updated chain tensioner - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-rattle-46159/
I can't see any documentation here in the How-To section on the procedure to replace the timing chain. It's a fairly complicated procedure and if done even slightly wrong can result in a thrashed set of valves at the very least.
Most of the time those doing a cam chain replacement will also do a water pump replacement - and this documentation courtesy of DonBrew detailing the water pump replacement may give you a better feeling on whether replacing the cam chain is something you want to do yourself. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-56476/
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
I am confused. The title leads me to believe that the Check Engine Light is not working and the obviously edited first entry has no mention of any P-codes but Whopper mentions the P0016 code.
98K is plenty of miles to warrant replacing the timing chain, I thought GM had already put the new style cam tensioner in place by '08 but I may be wrong on that {I have been wrong before}
That would be a lot easier than changing the timing chain if it still has the old style tensioner, unless it has the old one and it comes apart then you will pretty much have to take the engine apart to fish out the old parts anyway.
I was lucky enough that mine came out in one piece. Changing the serpentine belt will have no effect on the engine timing. Changing out the timing chain is not something that I would recommend for the shade tree mechanic to try.
You do not need any really special tools but you do need a lot of regular tools on hand. When I did my timing chain I also replaced the guides because the old ones were shot I use both metric tools and SAE tools to get the job done. I also had to get a set of torx sockets because my toolbox lacked them. So unless you do mechanical work and have the tools hire the job done, you will save in the long run.
If you do decided to have this done toss in a water pump too.
98K is plenty of miles to warrant replacing the timing chain, I thought GM had already put the new style cam tensioner in place by '08 but I may be wrong on that {I have been wrong before}
That would be a lot easier than changing the timing chain if it still has the old style tensioner, unless it has the old one and it comes apart then you will pretty much have to take the engine apart to fish out the old parts anyway.
I was lucky enough that mine came out in one piece. Changing the serpentine belt will have no effect on the engine timing. Changing out the timing chain is not something that I would recommend for the shade tree mechanic to try.
You do not need any really special tools but you do need a lot of regular tools on hand. When I did my timing chain I also replaced the guides because the old ones were shot I use both metric tools and SAE tools to get the job done. I also had to get a set of torx sockets because my toolbox lacked them. So unless you do mechanical work and have the tools hire the job done, you will save in the long run.
If you do decided to have this done toss in a water pump too.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-29-2015
Posts: 542
From: Cleveland, OH
Well, I can definitely help. I'm traveling for work next week but we can figure something out. Send me a PM, I'll give you my schedule. It sounds like we're going to need a timing chain kit. If that's the case, we'll also need a water pump and thermostat.
I have rebuilt several HHR engines now, shouldn't take more than a weekend. Though it isn't easy, or much fun. It's way cheaper than having a dealer do it.
Oh, and welcome to the site!
I have rebuilt several HHR engines now, shouldn't take more than a weekend. Though it isn't easy, or much fun. It's way cheaper than having a dealer do it.
Oh, and welcome to the site!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-16-2016
Posts: 64
From: ohio
well i look forward to it if you have a link for what timing chain kit i should get off ebay Dbeluscak i will order it i cant thank you enough ill send you a pm tonight so we talk further about getting it all fixed up thanks for all the the help this site is truely the best..i look forward to a great future here..