The borescope is arriving tomorrow, so I'll be able to look into the cylinders and get some pictures of the internal condition. Here's to hoping that there's no damage and is only needing a new chain and guard.

 

Fingers crossed!

 

The only time I would waste my angst on is if the chain catastrophically flew into pieces at high speed. Definitely not when it just skipped a tooth or 2.
Out of all the talk about "interference engine" I only recall 1 instance here that a valve damaged a piston and itself from a chain breaking.

 

Oldblue, what do you think about these parts:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=5756&jsn=1387
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=5188&jsn=776

 

Yes that is good. I also recommend

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ide+bolt,12016
And this front guide from ZZP
https://zzperformance.com/products/z...ng-chain-guide

Your front guide and timing chain will last longer.

I installed both those products in my 2.4 a few years ago, well worth it if you’re gonna keep your HHR.

 

Alright, scope came in today and I just finished taking some pictures in each cylinder. I took a picture of the top of each piston (as best as I could due to their position) and a video looking as each of the valves in their current positions. Honestly, to me they look pretty good but I'd always appreciate a second opinion.
I'll follow up with links to the videos for the valves.

Cylinder 1

Cylinder 2

Cylinder 3

Cylinder 4

 

Here is a link to the video that shows the 4 sets of valves in the engine

 

Are the spark plugs as dirty as the cylinders? I bet #3 looks a lot cleaner than the others, a sign of a possible head gasket leaking coolant.

 

I just changed them but not, they were all pretty toast when I removed them. But, I wouldn't doubt a coolant leak in the cylinder bc I've had to top of the coolant recently.

 

I’d pull the head and change the head gasket, better safe than sorry