My daughter bought a new HHR and after driving it I decided to buy one myself. The only thing I didn't like about it was the engine noise on acceleration which went away at crusing speed. I chalked it up to the 4 banger motor and thought I could live with it.
When I picked mine up I noticed mine was much quieter. Both are 2LT's with the 2.4. The only thing I noticed was hers had a different air intake duct then mine. I checked with my dealer who said they had no knowlege of this being an upgrade (mine was built 2 months later).
I guess the only way to notice the difference is to drive more then one HHR.
Has anyone else drove more then one and noticed any difference?

 

My greyghost has a born on date of 06/06 and I have not had any of the noise problems listed in the forums. Wind noise is nominal. No leaking water after being at the car wash for 20 minuted TRYING to make it leak. The fuses were seated properly. Overall, I believe that GM has paid close attention to the "issues" arising and has quickly addressed them. Even running boards are standard on 2007 models. They are being reactive and proactive about the problems rather than tarnish the image of this gem of a car!

 

Sometimes us customers know more about our HHR's than the dealers. This is not the case with all dealers, just some. Heck, some dealers are members here at ChevyHHR.net. This group sure does know allot though.

Give this thread a few days and you'll have all sorts of clues as to what's causing your abnormal engine noise.

 

The only noise related issue with my HHR was the air conditioner. It made a very loud "growling" noise (which has been discussed here), and was much worse under acceleration.That has been fixed recently and is quiet as a mouse now. Not sure if this is the same noise as you are having, but I thought I would throw it out there.

 

I have been travelling for work a lot this summer and each time I rent a car I try to get an HHR. I don't have one of my own yet but that will be changing in September when I order my 2007 Imperial Blue LT.

Anyway, my most recent trip this week the HHR I rented did have alot more engine noise. It is funny you mention this as I was disappointed about the engine noise and couldn't remember back if the other HHR's I rented, or tested, did the same thing.

Perhaps there is merit to there being an extra piece that minimizes engine noise in newer models. Check with the dealer until you can get an answer.

 

My Wife's HHR makes a whining noise with the A/C on, and when she's accelerating. I think it's annoying, but it doesn't seem to bother her What exactly did they do to yours to quiet it? Was it changing that tubing that's addressed in one of the Service Bulletins, or was there more to it than that?

 

That's funny, there's whining in my wifes car too, but only when I'm driving it! Maybe that's because she's in the passenger's seat!

 

Does anyone have any pictures or information on this different duct???

My wife complained the other day that the AC made a "noise", but she couldn't describe it to me.

 

I test drove a 2.2L for a couple of hours and never noticed any engine sounds at all. I test drove the 2.4L that I purchased very briefly and didn't notice anything. But now that I am driving it often it seems like I am really noticing the acceleration noise- like a little kid playing with cars going rrrrr...RRRR....rrrrr as the gears change.

And then I think it is my imagination so I just turn the CD volume up. I figured I'd mention it when I go back to the dealer for whatever the first time, but now you've piqued my interest.

 

i've heard some engine noise but what ive heard is like a whining noise coming from my speakers possibly.

the best i can describe is if you know how a stereo sounds when it has a bad ground, you can hear a whine coming from the speakers. Might be the alternator? hope not ...

maybe this is the noise people are hearing?