Alright so I know there probably is a post about this a million times over but it seems to be about the turbo engine and how things could be wrong with them.

Pre-checks before posting;
Fluids full
New relay for the coolant fan (143k figured a new one was cheap so it was replaced)
Heat gets up to around 226-234 (just today)
New fan doesnt come on
New fan replaced from a repair shop last Monday

So my question is to the other gear heads, what the hell is going on with this HHR? I am at a loss with it!

 

T-stat low coolant level? No mention of you checking these two possible culprits

 

It may be a bad temperature sensor, but a diagnostic check might shed more light on things. A quick trip to your local auto parts store to have the codes pulled would be advisable, then post the codes up here.

A quick check of the cooling fan function is to turn on the A/C, the ECM commands a fan start when the A/C is engaged.

Drive it sparingly until the problem is resolved, and run the heat on full blast if it starts overheating, the heater core is another small radiator so it will help a bit in keeping the engine from cooking itself.

 

At 234F you should have a CEL.

 

a/c on and still no fan. I have been combing through everything and it seems I have a head gasket issue.

pulled off the radiator cap and its full. so t-stat may need to be changed. I'll go up and get a new one.

 

T-stat is much cheaper to try before you send coin on a head gasket!

 

Coolant fan relay? I'll have to look, but I think that was a delete. a phantom listing on the fuse box.

Is coolant disappearing or getting dumped out the overflow? Is the oil level going up? Oil in the coolant? Coolant in the oil? Coolant out the exhaust pipe? Bubbles in the coolant tank? Those would say head gasket.

The T-stat keeps the coolant hot enough, not cooled down. Unless it somehow sticks closed, not likely the problem.

I am thinking wires to the fan are compromised somehow.

 

If the fluids are full and you're not adding coolant, why would you suspect a head gasket issue ?

Based on the 1st post that states the cooling fan is not coming on, THAT appears to be the problem.

Now, if you keep driving it and let it continue to run hot, then you very well could wind up blowing a head gasket or worse.

 

so I just put in a new t-stat, and now the fan comes on and stays on. Which is weird. I dont know if its supposed to stay on constantly like that?

 

as far as the bubbling I did notice some bubbles but that was just after a blown hose was replaced.

And I have noticed the fact that at times I do have a rough idle that shakes the whole car when I am waiting on a red light. Pa had said that a rough idle is part of an oncoming head gasket leak and it will only get worse as the leak gets worse.