Hello I have a 2010 Chevy HHR 2.4L it's been sitting basically since last October.We have tried everything including sending to a mechanic who somehow got it running long enough for me to get it home after him having it a week only for it to shut off again the same day,it cranks and dies amd has a ton of white smoke (it did this at the mechanic to he said drive till smoke clears &#128580 Said nothing was wrong except spark plugs,fuel pump and rust in gas line,said he replaced fuel pump,spark plugs and "cut the rusty parts of the line" We have changed the mass air flow,we have changed a number of other "common issue " parts as well tried brand new battery were tired of guessing and around here a good mechanic is like a unicorn.I know it can be fixed i love my car ive gone almost a year with no transportation and i just need help to figure where to go from where we are to finding the problem also the only codes were evap

 

White smoke out the tail pipe usually indicates a head gasket or crack head, coolant in the combustion chambers would cause the catalytic converter to clog up and die. So it’s plausible a clogged cat is the problem. I’m sorry your mechanic didn’t know that.

 

Would a head gasket be easy to replace ourselves?

 

Do you know what the heads are? Your question leads me to say no.

 

I actually do know what they are..I had a cavalier that blew head gaskets but I don't do the work my husband does that stuff I don't know if your being rude but I genuinely need to know if we can do the job at home

 

If he has the tools and time why not? Be smart and change the timing set at the same time.
It is unclear what your problem is. What code NUMBERS, no such thing as "just evap codes". Why do you think the head gasket is blown? Does the white smoke smell like coolant? Is there water in the oil? Is coolant disappearing int vapor trails? Did anyone think to do a compression test? Did anyone think to do a coolant pressure test?

 

Easy you two, we’re here to help.

now it’s easy enough change the head gasket , you need to test a few things before you condemn it.

Compression test, rad pressure test both kits can be borrowed from your local parts palace like AZ or OR.

 

Thank you,my husband started doing some of this after the mechanic we lost 1,500$ to them that's why I was wondering if we can do it.lol I will relay this information to him that you suggested because I don't want to lose my car for good I love her

 

I'm the Cheshire cat, again.

 

Not being rude. Your question left a bit to be desired. Pulling heads can be rather involved and not knowing your husbands experience and or tools made me question it. What happens if the nuts on the exhaust manifold bolts don't want to come out or break off. Things usually don't come apart without some kind of problem. Most of the time you will have a few things that require more than just a wrench or sockets.