That's wonderful news...glad to hear things are all working out. I know I wouldn't be happy with anything but a NEW engine.

You are entitled to rant and that's what we're here for. I'm sure somewhere down the road another one of us will need to do the same thing. We're like a family here and if you can't blow off a little steam to your family...then who can you talk to?

 

It's good news that you're getting a new engine, but it's sure a bummer that something like that happened in the first place!!
Since they evidently dis-assembled the original engine did they share with you what exactly happened inside? Was the faulty thermostat actually the start of it all?

 

Yes, the thermostat was the culprit. However, the warning light did not come on until it was too late. Keep an eye on that engine temperature gauge!

The SM said that since the engine only had 300 miles on it, it was so tight that any excessive heat would cause serious damage. He said if the engine had 5000 or more miles on it and was well broken-in, it probably wouldn't have been damaged.

There's no word yet when I will get it back. I'm hoping by Friday but I'm not counting on having it this weekend.

 

It's a wonder it didn't seize up on you! Had that happen "MANY" years ago on a 1970 Pinto. My 'EX" started the car and the oil filter gasket popped out somehow. She continued on down the road, then the Red dash lights started flashing! But she just kept going until she fried the engine about 7 miles from home!

 

Sounds like you have a good dealership and a good service department. Since it IS a warranty they're better off replacing the engine anyway. It's much less in manhours to replace it than to rebuild it and GM's covering the cost anyway. Your SM is right about it causing so much damage cause the engine is so new. Bad thermostat's, although rare now days do happen. At least it went bad real soon rather than a year down the road. Hope you get it back soon. Mine goes into the dealership in the morning. They're still working on stopping the A/C from growling. They already replaced the compressor which quieted it down quite a bit, but it's still there. Now there's an TSB out on it saying that the noise is caused by some faulty A/C hoses so they're going to replace mine tomorrow.

 

I hope you get a good loaner car!

 

My HHR experienced some overheating also. While driving Monday I noticed the engine temp would rise quickly while at a stop and dropped almost as quickly once I got moving. I dropped the car off at my chevy dealer, they replaced the thermostat and said the coolant level was about a pint low but could not find a leak anywhere. I picked up the car today and have driven about 50 miles and things are back to normal.

 

Hmmmm, maybe this is a trend. Watch your engine temps. This could be a batch of bad thermostats.

 

Good news. The SM just called and said they have bright shiney new new motor in a crate and I should be able to get my HHR back Saturday by noon!!!

Wahoo!!!

 

Mine's runnning 195 to 200. Is that the specified temp that's considered "normal".