Another DEAD SS
05-04-2009, 06:58 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-23-2008
Location: Branson, Mo
Posts: 47
Another DEAD SS
Driving home Friday, suddenly lost ALL boost. LOUD noise from engine that sounded like air leak but too low pitched. It would disappear when throttle reduced. Varying throttle would make noise come and go. Got home and checked all tubes for proverbial "loose clamps". None found. Took car to dealer this a.m. Car was driving normally except for no boost. Then all h*** broke loose. Noise stopped but LARGE cloud of smoke when leaving traffic light under moderate acceleration. Engine started missing and power was steadily decreasing (flashers on last 2 blocks). Service writer duplicated smoke cloud in parking lot. Got car into shop immediately. One hour later...preliminary diagnosis...."Turbo locked up"..... They gave me a rental (Cobalt) and said they had no idea when SS would be fixed. Seems nobody stocks the turbo. (p.s. 8240 miles on odometer)
And HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
And HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
05-04-2009, 07:45 PM
#2
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Join Date: 03-29-2009
Location: Quebec City
Posts: 1,097
05-04-2009, 07:56 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-29-2009
Location: Quebec City
Posts: 1,097
The SS being what it is, most are not likely to be driven like a ''regular'' HHR.
Though I'm not saying EVERY HHR SS will live a tough life. The fact is a good percentage of them will IMHO.
Since I bought my SS, I can't help it.... I feel the need for speed!
05-04-2009, 08:15 PM
#5
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Join Date: 01-13-2008
Location: Washington State, where it rains
Posts: 4,708
Thats the first lockedup turbo on here....all cars have lots of problems..key here is there isn't a pattern forming yet...all the problems are differnt,except the brake start up issue which is a design problem.(trying starting it cold with the air filter lid off and you'll immediatly "hear" what the problem is...can't make vacuum while under boost)
05-04-2009, 08:20 PM
#6
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Join Date: 04-19-2008
Location: Ontario Cdn
Posts: 563
Sure am pleased with mine.
05-04-2009, 08:59 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-23-2008
Location: Branson, Mo
Posts: 47
The dealer said that it was the first that they had seen..HHR or Cobalt...and they are large dealership. That's probably why nobody stocks the turbo. Looking at the big picture, I guess it was my time for trouble. I've owned 14 GM vehicles in past 18 years and this is the 1st time I've ever had warranty work done.
05-04-2009, 09:38 PM
#9
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Join Date: 04-03-2008
Location: A state of L N F Performance
Posts: 1,434
As soon as I read "large cloud of smoke" I knew your turbo was gone.
I have just looked on several Audi/VW supplier sites and they have the BW K04 Turbo, unfortunately I don't know if GM will order from them.
Also how is driving the car as it was made to be driven a rough life? Let the turbo warm up/cool down (after hard driving), and respect the car and it will be fine. The turbo is made to be used, the SS is made to be driven, so drive it! I don't hammer mine, but I drive it and to be honest, whenever I sell it will probably be one of the cleanest and nicest on the market in my greater area.
I have just looked on several Audi/VW supplier sites and they have the BW K04 Turbo, unfortunately I don't know if GM will order from them.
Also how is driving the car as it was made to be driven a rough life? Let the turbo warm up/cool down (after hard driving), and respect the car and it will be fine. The turbo is made to be used, the SS is made to be driven, so drive it! I don't hammer mine, but I drive it and to be honest, whenever I sell it will probably be one of the cleanest and nicest on the market in my greater area.
05-04-2009, 09:54 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-29-2009
Location: Quebec City
Posts: 1,097
Also how is driving the car as it was made to be driven a rough life? Let the turbo warm up/cool down (after hard driving), and respect the car and it will be fine. The turbo is made to be used, the SS is made to be driven, so drive it! I don't hammer mine, but I drive it and to be honest, whenever I sell it will probably be one of the cleanest and nicest on the market in my greater area.
X2