Have had this car about 6 months. Bought it off a Chevrolet dealer lot with around 105k. It always used a small amount of coolant, but "normal" according to the manual.

Started a new job and drive a lot of highway miles and the consumption was a lot. Figured it was a turbo issue, didn't really show signs of anything else.

Took it to a dealer and was first told they couldn't get it to use coolant, so I told them to get it to boost and it will...well, they then called back to tell me they had a "temp spike" WTH does that mean? Sounds like someone over heated it...anyway, now they said it needed a headgasket and that was the
problem.

So they proceed to replace the gasket at a cost of 2k. Call to pick it up...won't start! They admit on the phone the timing chain "moved" but it will be ok.

Get the car back, and still plowing through coolant.

Take it back and get the turbo replaced and that fixed most of the problem, yet it still used coolant. This dealer has now banked over 4k in parts and labor. I was not to happy...dove it home and that new gasket let loose and I was around 15psi.

Now it's at another dealer who said the block is cracked and it needs a new engine.

This sucks! And to top it off, I caught the first dealer trying to charge me for parts they didn't even replace (camshaft sensor).

So now I'm looking at dropping another.$4500 for a new engine...thank god for ebay so I can sell some stuff...

 

Sounds like your due to sue that dealership.
Call GM Customer Assistance and ***** to them about the dealer.

 

X 2, thats BS.
& I guess your 5 year/ 100K Powertrain warranty is expired ?

 

Ya, I bought it used and the warranty was already up due to the mileage.

I bought it at a dealership about two hours south of me.

The place I took it to was local that screwed everything up. It's now in another town and the guys there are being pretty cool. I told them I didn't have the money right away for the engine, so they are going to put it in while I try to save up for it. Getting it done for $4300+ tax. He said he got GM to take 25% off...if they would have taken off 50% I would have been happy, but at least I'm getting that I guess.

Never going to Burtness again..there was some other crap that happened too

 

Hi 1900colt,
I´m sorry, it´s a bad Story...

but before you buy a new engine: who says the Engine Block has a crack?
How did the dealer see it? I can´t believe it.

I was 12 years a mechanic and I can say you, a crack in Engine block (cast iron) is very rare, the 2.0l Turbo with aluminium Engine block: nearly impossible.

So please check this:

I consider with your problems the engine light must came on whyle you drive.
The engine light came on? No? Check it, turn Ignition on (not start) the engine light must be on!
If not, the Led inside the Instrument gauge is bad or not present.


Only 15 psy? I think you have a leak on Turbo system: is your HHR SS an accidented car? Intercooler damaged? Hose damaged or not properly mounted?
In my case it was so. The plastic Hose from turbo to Intercooler was damaged, the engine running hot and so the engine need some coolant and has high fuel consumption. Similar case? I hope so, it´s cheaper then a new Engine.

sorry for my bad english.

 

The car is 100% stock and 15psi sounds about normal from what I have read on here.

Engine light did not come on in this case, but did when the cam sensor was failing.

The dealer that has the car now is the one that says the block is cracked, who knows how hot Burtness got the car, they said it had a "temp spike"...why would someone run it out of coolant when I told them it would if driven hard? I always knew when the coolant was getting low because you could hear it in the heater core.

Once that head gasket blew, the motor filled with coolant.

I should have the car back this coming friday...

 

Good luck on the repair.

I bet a lot of people here would LOVE seeing a picture of the crack in the block if you can get one snapped. If you can get to keep the old block, it would make a good base for a glass-topped coffee or end table!!!

 

Not getting the block back :-(

Has a huge core charge if I want it...

I would like to see this mysterious crack myself...lol

 

Request a picture from the mechanic..