TruckerKevin

I have edited this post and title to reflect the real problem on this 2006 HHR with a 2.4. Cylinder #3 is not firing, followed by a code.

RJ_RS_SS_350

to the forums!

Yes, they can be reversed and the engine will still run. They seem to be the same part.

TruckerKevin

Okay, so it should not matter then? If so, that’s actually a big relief

RJ_RS_SS_350

Well, now, I'm not sure... They seem to be the same part on the 2008-2010 2.0 SS.

But they may be different on the 2006 2.4
Part Number: 12621505
Supersession(s): 125785162.0 LITER. 2.4 LITER. Exhaust valve. ASSEMBLY - CM/SHF POSN. GEAR.

Part Number: 12578515

2.0 LITER. 2.4 LITER. Cam position. ASSEMBLY - INTERIOR. GEAR. Position. Sprocket. Variable (VVT) Adjuster.

2.0 LITER, cam position. 2.0 LITER, intake. 2.4 LITER, cam position. 2.4 LITER, intake. Aura Green Line, Aura; Intake. Aura; Intake. Cam position. Cobalt; 2.0L, 2.4L; Intake. Equinox, Terrain; Intake. G5; 2.4L; Intake. G6; Intake. HHR; 2.4L; Intake. HHR; Intake.

RJ_RS_SS_350

ZZP shows different part numbers also.
https://zzperformance.com/products/cam-phasers

TruckerKevin

Okay, here is why I am asking. Perhaps if I tell the full story it may help.

I bought a 2006 HHR with a timing chain guide broken. I never had the liberty of hearing this car run, I basically picked it up on a note because the owner did not want to deal with it. The shop he had it at said the valves were bent.

When I towed it home I removed the head. To my surprise the valves seemed ok, but I sent it off to a machine shop anyway to get a second opinion. Well these idiots just decided to do a valve job on it without consulting me, but said no valves were bent.

When I was preparing the head for reassembly, I took notice that they wrote in black marker on the VVT sprockets “intake” and “exhaust”, but they were reversed. I figured they just mixed them up when they put them back on, so I reversed them to their proper sides.

Well, I am having some issues with the way it runs, periodically the T/S light comes on and when it does there is some sort of roar coming from the motor. Googling my symptoms brought me here, and I saw a few references to the variable cam modules going bad which could cause the issue.

Then I had an evil thought,,,,,, what if they just wrote the wrong sides on the sprockets and then I actually reversed them thinking I was correcting the issue.

This problem comes and goes, it is not constant. No check engine light, only the T/S light. Then I shut the car off its fine for awhile the next time I drive it

Oldblue

Your intake side is a tan colour and the exhaust is black , like this

TruckerKevin

Smart. I am going to pop off the valve cover tomorrow and verify this,,,,,, thanks OldBlue

donbrew

It's the VVT valves that typically cause thr Traction lights.

TruckerKevin

Got a set on order. They were cheap enough to replace even for just general maintenance/age. Of course not if I bought them locally, a pair for over $100 but on Amazon less than 1/3 that (all with 5 stars)