When getting a junkyard engine, how high would you go on the mileage?

I have a 2006 HHR 2.4L 5spd, which needs a new engine (at 165K miles). I don't have the oil cooler. it has been sitting for the last year awaiting a new engine.

The local yards have a 2008 Saturn Vue 2.4L engine with 65K miles for $450. They also have a 2006 HHR 2.4L engine with 126K miles for $350.

The yard says the Saturn engine will work in the HHR, but I'm not as confident as they are.

Steve

 

That depends on how you don't have the oil cooler! Was it removed and misplaced? Or was it never there? Now remember with the crank shaft sensor needing to be relearned the 08 Saturn unit might not work! I'm of the old school of use as many of the old original sensors as possible!
If your heater hoses go directly into the thermostat housing and there is no oil cooler then bolt in the Saturn 5 booster 2.4 and rocket away! Put in a new timing chain and tensioner while its out in the open!

 

I would be tempted to go Saturn.

I don't know how much computer stuff would be needed. 5 speed v. Auto, the 08 2.4L is not exactly the same as 06, the crankshaft sensor at least. You would need to cost/benefit it.

Junkyards are pretty reliable about what will fit.

 

Oldblue:

I have had the car since new (I ordered it in Feb 06) and there never was an oil cooler. I assume your comment about the heater hoses going directly to the thermostat is in reference to the oil cooler?

Donbrew:

Is the crankshaft sensor itself different only, or is it in a different location? Can I just use the one from the old engine?

The engines I found locally were shown on car-part.com as fitting my HHR. I didn't actually talk to the junkyard, which I need to do next to get direct info from them. I know they have a cross-reference manual that shows compatibility.

Steve

 

The crankshaft sensor is the same it just needs to be calibrated between the crank the sensor and the ECM. Anytime one of those components gets changed it needs to be re calibrated. At least, that's what the book says.

 

Yes I refer to the oil cooler.

 

That is odd with the oil cooler. Some 2007s have them, but your mid 2006 doesn't. Maybe special orders went to a different line. Assuming you are sure it is a 2.4 not a 2.2; if it's a 2.2 it would NOT have VVT on the valve cover.

 

I think mid 2006 production they did away with the oil cooler; my 2006 LT 2.4 doesnt have a cooler.

 

Some did some didn't have the oil cooler in 2006 and 07, the turbo 2.0 engines had the oil cooler from 08 till 10.

 

I wonder.
Was the oil cooler only on the auto trans. models ? I know there were tight clearances around where it was mounted. Maybe the 5 speed's bellhousing made it impossible to mount the cooler at the factory on the stick shift HHR's?

Just pondering. Been raining here all day and I was bored.