My fuel pressure regulator is very noisey and has been for some time. I thought the regulators were normally like that, guess not. I booked a appointment Monday morning to get them to check the regulator and fuel pump. Parts guy says they are both together, when replacing. It'll take a week to get it in from our good friends south of the border.

Did some research as well, as all the signs are telling me fuel pressure, fuel pump related. I will keep my fingers crossed on Monday. Will keep you posted on the outcome. Mike you have gone above and beyond.

 

Well first off, sorry for the late reply, had unexpected dinner guests tonight(happens every time I grill steaks), but I did stop by my dealer with your clip. Three techs listened to it, and the consensus is that its a fuel system issue. The way that your engine fires up then almost immediately "lays down" had the one tech thinking pressure regulator right off the bat, but like he said "I'd have to have gauges on it...."

Glad to hear that you have it booked in to the dealer for a check to confirm our suspicions, not so happy that it takes GM and GM of Canada a week to get a part to your dealer...should have one in stock, you'd think.

Do keep us posted as to what they find, and its been a real pleasure for me to help out with this Tyler....I enjoy things like this, been building engines since well before I could legally even drive, so diagnostic challenges are fun to me.

 

Well Mike, you were right. Turns out it's the fuel pump. Marcel didn't need to check with the code reader, he said that the pump sounded odd. They are replacing the pump and a cover for it, that was suppose to be supplied from the factory. This is covered under warrenty and I must say I was satisfied leaving the dealership. (I can't recall the last time that happened) So all of you guys out there with this problem, including you Equinox guys, cause I know you were having this issue on start up as well. Get them to check the fuel pump, fuel pump regulator and even the catalyic.

Mike, I owe you one. For all HHR forum readers out there, this guy (843de) knows his stuff. I would definently recommend taking his advice. He went to great lengths to find out the cause for me (more than what I asked for) and was able to help via email.

 

Tyler, thanks for your kind remarks, I just try to help folks out here the best I can.

I'm just so happy that this is covered under your warranty, hope they have you back on the road soon.

You're a fantastic guy, and It has been my great pleasure working on the solution to this issue with you.

 

I still have the noise every once and a while...

How long do you think I can go until I have to replace the pump???

Is there a recall on this? I'm out of warranty so I will be replacing it myself!!!

 

Apples to oranges deal here rroadkilll, you have an LT which is Multi-Port Injected, where Tyler has an SS which uses high pressure Direct Injection. So your issue might not be the same as he was having.

I quick and dirty way to check the fuel pump on a non-SS HHR for function is to remove the gas cap and listen to the sound of the pump from the filler neck as someone turns the ignition to "Run", you;ll hear the pump. Does is sound smooth or rough and gravelly?

If the pump sounds "awful" its on the way out, if you get a nice smooth "hummmmm" then you need to look elsewhere for the source of the noise at start-up, like a fuel pressure regulator, broken airbox bracket, etc.

There were no recalls on the pumps that I know of, and since the pump on your LT is in the fuel tank, its a big job to replace it. Not that its beyond the realm of a DIY repair, just more towards the advanced end of the scale.

 

Thanks... I'll try that tomorrow!
I think I'll be able to do this... This is my "day job"!!! Recently did fuel work on it... (The BIG ONE on the left!)


And this is in my shop now...

 

Yeah, but working on the Charlie-130 should be easy in comparison, you can crawl into its fuel tanks. (Well if you're small enough, with good ventilation and a respirator)

Nice shop man, I see you got one of those "Build-A-Jeep" kits going on, staying with the stock engine, or will a nice Chevy 350 sneak in there eventually.

I'll have to fly on over someday, this week my schedule and the choppy weather are keeping the Queen hanger bound. Its hard being a Bird Man, when life keeps you on the ground.

 

If you would like to provide me with the VIN of your HHR, I would be happy to research recall information. You can send me this information via private message.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Interestingly enough, my buddy, who has a Mazdaspeed6, DI 2.3L Turbo, is having the same type of symptoms recently. Wonder if it's a problem common to direct injected cars?