I left on vacation and my SS sat for 10 days. The first time I started it, it was very noisy from the lack of oil on the top end of the engine. Now if the car sits for any period of time, say 20 minutes or more, when I start her up the valvetrain makes a lot of noise for a few seconds.

It's never made this noise up until now. Any thoughts?

 

I would take the SS to the garage, and have the oil pump pressure checked ASAP.

 

It just my be the fuel injectors. They are noisy at start up and do get quieter later.
The will sound like bad lifters.

The nose is just part of the high pressure system for the direct iection.

 

It's not injector noise. It's NEVER done this before.

She goes in Friday.

 

We had this same thing happen several months ago. By the time we got it home and to the dealer, it sounded like a VM TDI.

As it was explained to me, excess flashing from the original casting broke free and blocked an oil port to the head causing a lack of oil. They tore it down, replaced the head and several other gaskets, and sent it back to us. It was in the dealer for a total of 21 days while they tore it down and waited for parts.

Since we've had it back, we've driven it harder than in the past to make sure if it's not going to last we find out quickly.

Whats intersting to me, is that when I did the oil change at 30K miles, I sent in a sample to be analyzed. It came back clean with no issues.

Good luck with this. According to the TAC guys, this isn't uncommon for this engine.

When the problem first started, my wife was about 120 miles from home. From what she described, I thought it was just injector noise too. When I described it to the dealership, they thought the same thing. When you hear it in person thought, it's definitely not injector noise. It sounds like a diesel.

 

I'm an ex-mechanic. No doubt in my mind it's the valvetrain. I drop her off tomorrow so it can sit overnight though it's not necessary. I'll report back on what the dealer says. I sure hope I don't get stuck with that many days in the shop. She spent 16 in last year as it is.

I hope to trade her in this fall, just don't know what to get. My HHR SS is like the redheaded step sister. A real *****!

 

I'm sure there are a few of us who would take in that red-head. let us know when you want to sell.

 

Anytime. I may start shopping this weekend.

 

whats the outcome?

 

The dealer is waiting further instructions from GM on how to proceed. I'm moving my office this week so I'll be swamped. I'll let you know what they have to do when I hear and get a free minute.