"Newbie" with SS Questions
#1
"Newbie" with SS Questions
Hello Folks,
I just found your Forum today and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
I just found your Forum today and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
#2
Welcome to the site.
Post up how that one is equipped and we could give you some definite opinions.
Not sure how you got brakes and power steering on your problems list. Those 2 things can be issues with the regular HHR's, but the SS's brakes and steering are pretty trouble free.
The SS has 4 wheel discs with larger front rotors than the regular HHR's. The Brembo optioned SS's have even larger rotors than the non Brembo SS.
Also, the SS's have a different electric power steering motor than the regular HHR's that have had issues. Very few problems have been posted regarding SS power steering motors.
Only safety recall on the SS has been the ignition switch/key cylinder. But that was a GM wide recall that involved numerous vehicles.
Fwiw. My 2010 SS has been trouble free for 6 years and 46k miles.
Post up how that one is equipped and we could give you some definite opinions.
Not sure how you got brakes and power steering on your problems list. Those 2 things can be issues with the regular HHR's, but the SS's brakes and steering are pretty trouble free.
The SS has 4 wheel discs with larger front rotors than the regular HHR's. The Brembo optioned SS's have even larger rotors than the non Brembo SS.
Also, the SS's have a different electric power steering motor than the regular HHR's that have had issues. Very few problems have been posted regarding SS power steering motors.
Only safety recall on the SS has been the ignition switch/key cylinder. But that was a GM wide recall that involved numerous vehicles.
Fwiw. My 2010 SS has been trouble free for 6 years and 46k miles.
#3
aboard Klondike!!
Give the SS Sub-Forum a good read and I'm sure our core of Super Sports owners will chime in with advice and hints.
My advice, go for the best one your budget allows, and make sure it has a Full Service History.
SS's are highly strung, and they'll not tolerate abusef or lack of maintenance, so an FSH & a clean CarFax are almost required.
And listen to folks like George above, he's one of our best Members and he's one fine diagnostician.
Give the SS Sub-Forum a good read and I'm sure our core of Super Sports owners will chime in with advice and hints.
My advice, go for the best one your budget allows, and make sure it has a Full Service History.
SS's are highly strung, and they'll not tolerate abusef or lack of maintenance, so an FSH & a clean CarFax are almost required.
And listen to folks like George above, he's one of our best Members and he's one fine diagnostician.
#5
Thanks for the responses, guys! The 2008 SS that I am considering has a Black Exterior and a Red/Black interior with SS embroidered sport seats with suede-like inserts. The CARFAX is clean with 2 previous owners and it has 78k miles. The engine is the Ecotec 2.0L DI Turbo VVT (260 HP) with the Hydra-Matic 4T45 4-speed automatic transmission. I think it has all of the standard equipment:
Safety Feature
Air Bag - Driver
Air Bag - Passenger
Traction Control
Brakes-ABS-4 Wheel
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
Remote Keyless Entry
Communications-Onboard Hands Free
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
Engine Immobilizer/Vehicle Anti-Theft System
Child Safety Locks
Rear Defrost
Daytime Running Lights
Fog Lights
Convenience Feature
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
Steering Wheel Stereo Controls
Steering Wheel-Leather Wrapped
Intermittent Wipers
AM/FM Stereo
CD Player
Audio-Satellite Radio
MP3 Sound System
Tinted Glass - Deep
Additional Power Outlet(s)
Air Conditioning
Floor Mats-Front
Exterior Feature
Mirror-Electrochromic In-Side Rearview
Mirrors-Pwr Driver
Spoiler
Wheels-Aluminum
Wipers-Variable Speed Intermittent
Seating / Restraints
Bucket Seats
Cloth Seats
Power Driver Seat
Seat-Lumbar-Driver
Seat-Rear Pass-Through
Power Options
Power Door Locks
Power Steering
Power Windows
Safety Feature
Air Bag - Driver
Air Bag - Passenger
Traction Control
Brakes-ABS-4 Wheel
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
Remote Keyless Entry
Communications-Onboard Hands Free
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
Engine Immobilizer/Vehicle Anti-Theft System
Child Safety Locks
Rear Defrost
Daytime Running Lights
Fog Lights
Convenience Feature
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
Steering Wheel Stereo Controls
Steering Wheel-Leather Wrapped
Intermittent Wipers
AM/FM Stereo
CD Player
Audio-Satellite Radio
MP3 Sound System
Tinted Glass - Deep
Additional Power Outlet(s)
Air Conditioning
Floor Mats-Front
Exterior Feature
Mirror-Electrochromic In-Side Rearview
Mirrors-Pwr Driver
Spoiler
Wheels-Aluminum
Wipers-Variable Speed Intermittent
Seating / Restraints
Bucket Seats
Cloth Seats
Power Driver Seat
Seat-Lumbar-Driver
Seat-Rear Pass-Through
Power Options
Power Door Locks
Power Steering
Power Windows
#6
"Newbie" with SS Questions
Hello Folks,
I just found your Forum yesterday and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
I just found your Forum yesterday and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
#7
At that mileage you should do a close inspection of the suspension for worn parts. Struts, shocks, Lower control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links and wheel bearings are things to look closely at.
Struts can be an odd one on the SS. There is apparently no aftermarket replacement for the SS FE5 suspension. GM OEM FE5 struts are the only true SS replacements. Others may fit but they won't be true SS performance struts.
Struts can be an odd one on the SS. There is apparently no aftermarket replacement for the SS FE5 suspension. GM OEM FE5 struts are the only true SS replacements. Others may fit but they won't be true SS performance struts.
#8
Welcome to the site, a nicely decked out SS! Take it for a drive, it'll let you know if it likes you! These are getting harder and harder to find, most of any of the issues are owner inflicted with lack of knowledge on how to maintain a turbo engine, get a full service history and remember the Carfax only shows what us reported, so if the previous owners did their own oil and filters and any other service, it won't be on the Carfax.
Enjoy your purchase and keep us up to date!!
Enjoy your purchase and keep us up to date!!
#10
Klondike!!
I think you'll enjoy the SS. It's got the trifecta: power, economy, cargo capacity. And good looks, but I know that's subjective.
I see you noted the DI engine, that's where the economy comes from, and of course the power comes from the turbo. That's all great, but there is a consequence. In other types of fuel injected, and carbureted, engines, there is fuel flowing through the intake manifold. With DI, the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder.
All modern engines use a PCV system to relieve crankcase pressure and to evacuate contaminants(oil, water and gasoline vapors) from the crankcase. These vapors are deposited into the intake manifold. On a turbocharged engine, they are also dumped at the mouth of the turbo.
The problem is that there is no fuel flowing through the intake to wash this gunk off the back of the intake valves. ALL DI engines will have this problem. With the turbo, the vapors are also depositing in the turbo, charge piping, intercooler, and throttlebody. Most of it deposits in the intercooler. ALL DI forced induction engines will have this problem.
But don't despair! We are close to a solution for this problem.
Once you eliminate that, you should have very few issues, and we'll be here to help you out.
I think you'll enjoy the SS. It's got the trifecta: power, economy, cargo capacity. And good looks, but I know that's subjective.
I see you noted the DI engine, that's where the economy comes from, and of course the power comes from the turbo. That's all great, but there is a consequence. In other types of fuel injected, and carbureted, engines, there is fuel flowing through the intake manifold. With DI, the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder.
All modern engines use a PCV system to relieve crankcase pressure and to evacuate contaminants(oil, water and gasoline vapors) from the crankcase. These vapors are deposited into the intake manifold. On a turbocharged engine, they are also dumped at the mouth of the turbo.
The problem is that there is no fuel flowing through the intake to wash this gunk off the back of the intake valves. ALL DI engines will have this problem. With the turbo, the vapors are also depositing in the turbo, charge piping, intercooler, and throttlebody. Most of it deposits in the intercooler. ALL DI forced induction engines will have this problem.
But don't despair! We are close to a solution for this problem.
Once you eliminate that, you should have very few issues, and we'll be here to help you out.