This is my first post to the forum. 3 weeks ago I purchased a 2011 HHR with 34,000 miles on it. Over the fast few mornings I have heard a pretty bad noise / rattle when the engine starts up. I actually got it to record on my cell phone this morning:


I am calling the dealer tomorrow morning to get this in. I am looking for any advice, possible causes, and repairs. I hope I did not purchase a problem, as I am still recovering from my Dodge Intrepid 2.7 escapades. To me it sounds like either a timing chain tensioner or other issue as the oil pressure comes up. After it starts is quiets down and I have no further issues

 

Welcome to the site..

Serpentine Belt 100%

Sound familiar.. lol


Mine went bad at 34K also...

 

Exactly - I will bring it up with the service manager when I take it in.

I had visions of the ill fated Dodge 2.7 running through my head - that would make a sound similar to this right before the waterpump / timing chain / timing chain tensioner would grenade and destroy the engine.

Thanks for the quick reply

 

I had the exact same issue a few month back. And so far it's been 3K miles without hearing it! It ended up being my oil filter. My 2.4 is really picky about which one it uses. I had a Fram one in which was causing it. Slapped an AC Delco from the dealer and all has been well. They have thicker plastic end caps than the Fram, so it seats better. May be worth a shot?

 

I will update as soon as I hear back from the service manager.

Not to happy with him, since he treated me like a bit of a slug, since I did not buy it from one of "his" dealers, but from another dealer. I took it to the dealer close to my house.

They asked me if I had the service records - I just bought it less than 30 days ago and it had a clean CarFax, and had a pretty good service history on the CarFax history report. He then started to make comments about - GM won't pay for it if it is all sludged up.

Question - do these engine have sludge problems?

Sitting by the phone at work - hoping I did not buy another lemon.

I did make a call to the sales manager I bought the car from, just as a courtesy update.

 

No sludge issues that I know of, though its still wise to do regular oil changes. From your description it almost sound like wrist pin noise. I have a Ford product that has done that since it was new 13 years ago. Still does it on start up. As far as the HHR, I have never heard that on my 2007 2.2. I have had the 07 since new, and the only problem I had was a flakey instrument cluster which was quickly changed by the dealer when the car was about a year old. I certainly do not think mine is a lemon in any way. Re: the comment about the oil filter, IMO fram is a filter to avoid on any car. Just my opinion.

 

Been burned in the past

I have had 2 dodge intrepids with that pos 2.7 engine, one I bought, one I got through marriage. One died and the other got an engine transplant. Since then I have always avoided the aftermarket oil filters. My Toyota gets a Toyota filter, GM gets an AC delco, and the Dodge gets a MOPAR filter. They all get synthetic oil.

Before I bought it I had researched the car and motor. I think I was more P.O.'d about how the service manager treated me. Depending on how they continue to treat me determines on where I service the car. Back problems are keeping me from doing it myself, and I will never let the grease morons at walmart or jiffy lube touch my car.

 

have they replaced the serpentine belt? MY hhr had 37K when I bought it and mine made that noise.. I replaced the belt and it went away.

 

retrodave15, Please, let me know how things go with the dealership. I apologize; you are having such a negative experience from the dealership that has your HHR. If you are not fully satisfied with the end result please, let me know and I will get this looked into for you.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Thanks Michelle,

Things went better yesterday, they were still having issues duplicating the problem, but they know it exists from the recording I caught with my cell phone.

If I have any further issues - I will let you know.

As for the issues - they were still diagnosing the issue, one service sch thought is might be either the timing chain or tensioner. I am going to stop by the dealership either today or Saturday morning.