I'm really sorry for being so tardy in getting back to everyone. Im a net/sys admin and have had a couple of hell days (or it is weeks now?!).

Anyway, the issue was with that sensor, and they replaced it. Also, I dont know if it was recommended, or my wife just asked the garage to do it, but she had all the spark plugs replaced and a tune up. She asked about the coil pack and having that replaced, but was told that they cant be replaced until they fail; i have no idea if thats true. I had my coil pack break, and what a scary thing that was, my little crapbox car running on maybe one or two cylinder, and thankfully i was able to get it to crawl to a safe place where I ended up getting it towed. So, i dont like the idea of having to wait for it to fail before getting it replaced, and wonder if what the guy said was true. I do like how the coil pack on the HHR is right there on top, and not hidden away like, it is on my car, and it looks like its really easy to replace (about the onyl thing on an HHR that appears easy at least).

Im going to keep using the super+ gas, as eveyone suggested. Oh, and i have to say, im pretty sure im we are getting way better gas mileage! id have thought less, but it really does look like better mileage.

Again, my apologies for being so tardy, and thanks so much for all the help everyone has provided. This is now my wife and I's place to come for anything with her HHR. Have a great day, DeVoiD

 

Your 2009 SS 2.0 litre has four coil on plug, not a coil pack , glad the sensor was the culprit. Enjoy the ride.

 

If they didn't use AC/Delco 41-108 plugs you will be sorry. Spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles, Of course 91 octane gets better MPG, but what is the $PM? Depends on the relative pricing in your area.

On a car with a coil pack that failed 2 of 4 cylinders would fire.

New plugs is the only "tune up" that can be done, unless a throttle body cleaning is done.

 

Im mechanically minded, but not a mechanic. Does that mean? four coil on plug? I get the "back in the day" distributor, and i get a coil pack providing electricity to the spark plugs, but i dont know what four coil on plug is, like a coil pack per plug? Sorry. I just know enough to be dangerous.

 

DonBrew done come off like that?

I have no idea what spark plugs they shoved in the car, but would assume they use what the manufacturer says to use. "of course better gas mileage"... no of course about it. im a logical kind of guy and to me, something that cleaner, and meant to combust - burn better, would mean it burns faster, meaning it doesn't last as long..... hence does it get better mileage question.... Anyway, its hovering around $4.00 a gal for the Super+ stuff. DeVoiD

 

Don’s right about the spark plugs, these Ecotec engines are very specific when it comes to parts, an early 2006 had a coil pack like this



then in 2007 they started using individual coils one for each of the four spark plugs, hence coil on plug, there are no spark plug wires and no distributor. The ECM sends it the spark commands.

 

$4.00 a gal for Super ? What are you buying, some kind of racing fuel ?

Around here the price of regular unleaded just dropped to $1.98. That means for my SS it's going to be about $2.68 or so for Super.

 

You will get better gas mileage with the higher octane and brand of gas. I have really good gas mileage from BP gas and I run Mobil 91 octane no ethynol. I tried 93 at Sams Club, Kwik Trip,and Caseys, just not as good mileage.

 

So when they said they replaced the spark plugs, do you think they replaced the whole thing? with the individual coil part as well?

BTW: Thank you SO MUCH OldBlue for the diagrams, and explaining it like that, that was great, and I appreciate that a lot!

 

LOL! Florida man, what can I say....... now that Russia and OPEC are fighting, the oil price has plummeted, so i might be able to get it for $3/gal for super + lol...