advisual

Hi,
I have a 2008 Chevy HHR 2.2L that cranks but does not start.

It was having slight overheating issues so I decided to run Prestone cooling system cleaner in case the issue was related to a restricted system.

I ran the engine for about 45 minutes to make sure the cleaner circulated well and clear up any stubborn debris.

I turned the engine off and flushed the system with water and tried to restart the car no luck.

I thought maybe I ran out of gas so went and added 2 gallons and checked the fuel valve, plenty of fuel there. I hear the pump engage when I turn on the key.

I checked the fuel and crank fuses by switching around still nothing.

As you can see by the attached video it cranks just fine but there is a strange water sound like the water is draining but as you can see in the video there is plenty of water in the system.


Any help with what to do next would be appreciated.

donbrew

Any history of CheckEngineLight?
What is "slight overheating"?
My first guess is broken timing chain.

greg8453

That is not a normal cranking. Need to do a compression test.

RJ_RS_SS_350

But again, if it's bad timing components, a compression test is a bad idea. But you've been cranking it a lot, it sounds like from your description, so the damage may already be done.

Take off the valve cover and inspect the timing chain. Any slack at all is bad, must be very tight.

advisual

Is this an interference engine that can't be fixed if I've been repeatedly tried cranking it if the timing chain is bad?

I have not had any check engine light related to timing.

I literraly turned it off and now it doesn't start.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Yes, interference engine.

Oldblue

After you remove the valve cover check the under hood fuse box make sure all relays and fuses are pushed in firmly, tighten the 7 mm bolts till after they click.
check the dipstick, is the oil normal or milky and at a high level!
what cel codes did you have that weren’t related to timing?

donbrew

So, that indicates there are codes involved. Are you sure they are not related?

greg8453

If that engine can't handle a compression test you better be ready to rebuild it. How do you test anything if you are afraid of it?

RJ_RS_SS_350

Have you never worked on an interference engine? Once the timing chain is 2 or 3 links out of time, the valves contact the pistons. Then you're looking at a lot of work, usually cheaper to replace the engine with a used engine.

Why are you so dead set against checking the timing chain first? It's a free and easy, DIY, job that only requires basic hand tools that most everyone has.