Just to close up this thread with some feedback. I replaced my intake and exhaust camshaft actuator solenoids with Delco parts and that did not solve my problem. I cleared the codes by unhooking the battery for over 30 minutes, but after a 5 minute drive the CEL reappeared, T/C light reappeared, car went into safe mode and the vehicle resumed sluggish performance, bad gas mileage, and increased temperatures.

At this point I decided it was past my shade tree abilities and took it to a mechanic. First mechanic wanted to try mechanic in a bottle instead of actually looking for a solution so I picked the car up and took it to another one that was recommended to me. We decided to replace timing chain, balancing chain, chain tensioners and guides, water pump, crankshaft seals (small weeping spotted), and serpentine belt. General assumption was timing chain was stretched, the rest was a function of being in there already, might as well get it done. It was expensive, about $1400, but after a weekend of driving both city and highway it does appear the problem is solved.

So, summation. P0014 indicates intake and exhaust camshaft actuator solenoids, a simple home fix. But if that doesn't work, you are probably in for a pile of work if you can do it yourself or a fairly large bill.

Thank you everyone for the help. While this is my first post, I've used the forum for all kinds of things over the last 7 or 8 years. Hopefully I've set my HHR up for a few more years of good daily driver service.

 

With some tools and common automotive engine knowledge changing the chains , is doable at home , I purposely changed them with only hand tools , no air ratchets or impact wrenches and changed them in about 2 1/2 hours .
our how to threads helped.
You have nothing to fear but fear itself.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...in-kits-60394/

 

Glad you were able to get it fixed.
Just curious as to what part of Alabama you're in ? The "Mechanic in a bottle" guy is surely one to stay clear of.

 

I live about 20 miles south of Birmingham. The mechanic in a bottle guy I have used before. He's fine for simple things. I just don't think he wanted to do it. I would have respected him more if he had said that.

 

Who the heck told you P0014 means anything to do with bad VVT valves? Did you read any of our input, specifically post #7, #8 and #9.

 

Causes and solutions

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0014

 

I read all the posts in this thread and several other threads on this board as well as several other spots on the internet. That's why I took the steps I did. Yes it ended up being the timing chain, which I suspected from the beginning. However, lots of places suggest trying the Exhaust Camshaft Actuator Solenoid first. Since I was doing the exhaust, it made sense to do the intake as well. If you notice, I had done those BEFORE I started the thread, so prior to your input. So my workflow would not have changed until after I had already replaced those parts anyway. I would have been pleased with an $80 home fix instead of $1400 with the mechanic and it was worth a try. But yes, I did read it. Thank you for the input.

 

Okie dokie, glad it wasn’t here that you read that.

 

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...14-code-61198/

This is one of the threads I referenced. It clearly shows the problem solved by the camshaft position actuator solenoids I replaced for a P0014 code. It just didn't solve my problem. There are other threads as well. So there are plenty of threads here that reference P0014 and the camshaft position actuator solenoids.

 

This is why , when someone posts they have the exact same problem, sometimes something is different, Ladybee posted her problem was resolved, however did not return any time later to confirm it was a long time repair.