Oldblue

So you call the j shaped piece the whisker? I call that the ground electrode and the little centre electrode (the iridium piece) the whisker

aradmahogany

Remember Oldblue I am a young'in, so my terminology might not be correct LOL. In this case yes, the ground electrode. Gregg ate the #3 one and spat it out somewhere, alerting me by making all those nonsensical and somewhat hysterical cries for help. He is okay now, though. . I think the main thing is to let OP know to search for the SIMPLEST solution first, usually that solves the issue. EXAMPLE: Someone recently on the Facebook page mentioned that they saved an HHR off a flatbed headed for the junkyard because it had engine power reduced, wouldn't accelerate, shifted hard, all that nonsense and apparently the person was told that the car needed basically an all new drive-train. The guy bought the car off the flatbed, opened the hood, plugged in the unplugged MAF, and it has been good as new since then. Simple solution first!

Oldblue

I agree K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple Silly

romarpete

Slightly off topic....Many years ago I had an old Chevette that made a funny clicking noise that I only heard in with the windows rolled down. The clicking became faster and slower with vehicle speed and seemed to be coming from the left front wheel. I was thinking that I had a bad bearing until I mentioned it to and elderly shade tree mechanic that I knew and he told me to look for a pebble stuck in the tire tread. Sure enough there was a bit of pea gravel stuck in the tire tread and every time it came around and contacted the pavement it made that clicking noise. Keep it simple indeed. When I first heard my HHR making a clicking noise that was the first thing I looked for....LOL.

PittKrewBowling

I have '11 with 78k miles - does the exact same thing.

aradmahogany

Odd. My 06 with 211,000 is DEAD silent after the fix. Can barely hear it running in my garage even.

shortbred

I know this is a old thread, but my 2006 started making a ticking noise. Its the same noise that a car would make on a cold morning before all the oil goes into the motor. Except this ticking starts about 15 minutes into driving. I checked the oil and its not low. I use the car to drive my 80 year old mother around so I would hate to have it break down with her with me. Does anyone have any suggestions? I love this car but i cant afford a huge mechanic bill.

RJ_RS_SS_350

to the forums!

Please read this whole thread, and answer every question that has been asked.

Rich the confused

Hello;

I am experiencing the same ticking sound as described in the initial post on this thread. Rapid ticking upon cold start that persists for about five miles of gentle driving and then fades away. The rate follows the engine RPM. 2010 HHR LT 2.2L automatic. 85,000 miles. I read the comments and will try injection cleaner although I have little faith in additives. I will also try replacing plugs but one thing at a time. It seems to be a common problem with no clear resolution. So.... I looked on the Cobalt forum. It appears the 2010 Cobalt and the 2010 HHR share a common 2.2L engine. There are several posts for the turbo but not the 2.2L engine. It does not appear to occur with the 2.2L in a Cobalt. My query: Is there a difference between the 2.2L engine in the 2010 Cobalt and the 2010 HHR? If so, that should point to a resolution.

PulpFriction

The main difference is that the HHR is flex fuel and can use E85 fuel, and the Cobalt can not. The HHR prabably has, among a few other subtle differences, bigger fuel injectors, and (when using E85) more aggressive cam timing and spark advance. I don’t know how that could make a difference in this issue, but who knows?