Mornin' yall,

Wish I could call in to Car Talk so I could vocalize this one. Suddenly, my 2008 LT sounds like a lawnmower, and a piece of *#$% lawnmower at that. Engine light came on, and when it's in gear and running, it suddenly sounds like - At-atatatatatatatatat. Like a lawnmower. Can't describe this any better than that. Did not hear this when the engine is idling or revved in neutral, only on drive. This lawn mower engine sound comes from the engine, not the mufflers.

Oil level seems fine. Not a 'car guy' so I don't know what else to look for. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Cracked exhaust flex pipe at the exhaust manifold.

 

Wow, thanks! ChevyMgr! That sounds like a easy fix (hope hope).

 

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-repair-flex-pipe-31536/

Ha! My luck.

 

But wait! There's more!

From the above linked thread: "Also, keep in mind that GM will replace that free under the 96 month/80000 mile federal emission/catalytic conv. and pcm warranty."

There seems to be some confusion over the validity of this statement, but if this is true then I may be in luck. =)

 

Local Chevy dealer, Alan Webb, has me in to verify at 1:30. Talk about service!

 

And...If your lawnmower sounds that bad, you may want to have IT checked out also!

 

Three Cheers for ChevyMgr! Your diagnosis was spot-on. New part coming from Nevada, covered under 8 year/80k warranty.

Thank you, chevyhhr.net peeps, for the great forum. I've got less than a ear of payments on this HHR, and a kiddo graduating in about 6 weeks. So, while service at Alan Webb was checking out the flex pipe, I was looking around at the next HHR. My thought is to hand this one off to the kiddo and dad gets a 2011. I want her to have a safe, reliable, economical vehicle, and I kinda got used it myself =)

Thanks again ya'll!

 

Dad needs a SS.........

 

Sorry, I am late to the party on posting to this one. But I just had this happen to mine 2008LT..