So recently I bought an hhr because our minivans bottom end of engine was going bad and was ready to let go. I junked it and bought a 06 hhr it says 242k on the clock but I was told that might not be right. I've fixed a few things already. The standard tranny was swapped for automatic and it looks like the engine came from junkyard I see yellow crayon writing on the top of plastic above valve cover. I here a noise in the engine that may or may not be a problem. I may just be paranoid. It sounds like ticking in the engine. Its nothing loud or very noticeable but I hear it im hoping its just cylinders firing or something. If not maybe plus or wires? The oil level is fine it may just be the normal sound but I'm hoping someone here can help me out. Please tell me I'm just crazy


 

Spoiled milk?
Spoiled child?
rear Spoiler?
front chin Spoiler?
aside from reading the words , there is no sound , so it can’t sound at all, does that answer your question, or Spoil it?

 

Thanks for your quick reply. do you mean there is no audio on the video. Or that you don't hear anything thats abnormal?

 

I removed the"spoiler".

That sounds pretty terrible. You should remove the valve cover and inspect the timing chain immediately. The chain must be tight. Not pretty tight, but tight.

 

Thank you. I will remove valve cover and check the chain today. I was really hoping that I was just being paranoid. I just got the car so I haven't heard it Run the way it should.

 

When I responded, there was no video posted, just the two words.
Now I’ve listened to your video, and I agree , pull the valve cover, look at the front timing chain guide and loose timing chain



This was my 2.4’s loose chain last year, it was stretched and that front guide was broken. I installed a cheap chain kit from EBay, and had to replace it , in December. I stepped up to Cloyes kits for timing and balance shaft chains, no more noise, I also installed a Melling upper guide replacement bolt.

 

So I've never had to do a timing chain, im watching videos on it now. I'm assuming in that pic the chain is loose as you can see the chain is sagging down a little bit. it should be tight with no sag? I can't order a chain until Tuesday. If I'm going to do the chain I will want to do everything with quality parts. Do you think its ok to drive until next week when I have the parts? Its driving fine and the noise is not loud like its slapping around or anything. Also in the video it was first 10seconds of being started after sitting overnight in below freezing Temps.

 

I’d like to think you should be ok, but then again, if the chain fails, the engine is toast. Bent valves, damaged pistons and such.
The Cloyes kit for your 2006, 2.2 litre will be the 9-4201S timing chain kit and the 9-4202S balance shaft chain kit, the Melling 5499GMB bolt
I suggest a new front cover gasket and crankshaft seal, the FelPro kit is good and the valve cover gasket, they can be reused, but they will leak oil

 

If I tell you that it's probably ok to drive it, and then the chain skips a tooth or 2, or a guide breaks completely. Then you'll be shopping for an engine.

So, no, I'm not going to tell you that it's ok to drive.

 

Thank you guys. I know this engine isn't original and with 242k on the clock the engine swap could not have been that long ago. I can't fathom why they wouldn't have done the timing chain as a preventative tactic while the engine was out of the car. I want to do as much as I can to make this car last I do like it a lot.