I guess it's possible that the timing chain is so screwed up that compression is helping the plugs blow out. I can't seem to find a logic for it, but maybe.

 

I don't have experience with these engines, but I had a Quad4 heli-coiled for this reason years ago - in the car. The guy just said he was going to grease the heck out of the tap to retain any aluminum shavings, and that he didn't want to warranty it beyond 30 days.

Since it was an old car, and removing the head was going to cost me $1000 more, I agreed. Never had a problem afterward in about 30K miles before selling the car. I also figured aluminum filings wouldn't damage things like steel would have.

Thought I would chime in on this for what it's worth. It's an acceptable idea, as long as you know the risks, I guess.

 

I would try the Helicoil. I have put in several in the Ford 5.4 L motors. They were blowing them out a lot. Key is take your time. I put a thick lube on the threads of the tap and catch much of the cuttings. Then shop vac, with a adaptor I made from a old insulator. Then I crank the motor over for about a minute. We have not had to pull a head yet and no one has come back with a plug blowing out again. (We also put a little red loctite on the helicoil so it does not come out with the plug during a tune up) Good luck

 

Week, I broke down and took it to a Chevrolet dealer. It's only going to cost $320 or so since they found a kit that has 2 coils in it. The harsh part that the ignition lock broke. They said it would come to about $600 or so for that. I asked if that wasn't cover by the ignition switch recall and the guy said he would look into it to se if there was any over lapping labor to cover the ignition lock.

 

I thought they extended the recall to include the cylinder, if that's what you mean by "ignition lock".

If you mean the ignition/brake/transmission interlock, that's DIY, and covered on the forum many times.

 

Hey there,

I'm sorry that you experienced concerns with your HHR. I understand that you have taken your vehicle to the dealership and I will be glad to search your VIN within our system to see if there are any open recalls. Please send us a private message with your VIN included if we can be of any assistance. I hope to hear from you!

Kristen A.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

Thank you for the concern. Right now it's at rally gm in Palmdale. I will send you the vin once I can get it.
Ignition lock us what I was told because the key was stuck in the ignition and they couldn't get it out. They were going to see if that had any over lapping labor with the ignition switch recall.

 

No real need to give your vin to the resident social media people. I'm guessing that your dealership will take care of you. I don't think it would be in GM's best interest, right now, to give a customer any type of friction about any kind of ignition switch problem.

 

Interesting point. Reminds me, I gotta follow up with the dealer tomorrow.

 

Great news. It only cost me $374 for both threads including 2 new spark plugs and a new ignition coil. turns out a recall for the ignition lock and cylinder was just issued. I am so glad to have my car back.