Hello from Las Vegas

I am a newbie with some advice to all you HHR owners. I restore Ecotec powered vehicles for side income and am seeing a rash of damaged engines from lack of maintenance. the 2.2 and 2.4 engines MUST have their timing sets replaced or you will go from a $350 service (that's what I charge to do it) to an $1,100 repair. The 2.2 jumps timing around 140K and wipes out valves and occasionally a piston or two. The 2.4 doesn't always jump timing. Instead it loses its guide and becomes a "chainsaw" and eats its way across the aluminum "bosses/tabs/mounts" on the cylinder head and block. No repair available at that point. Need a replacement engine. So again instead of a $350 service, now have a $2000+ overhaul. Or if venture to the stealership you are looking at $6000+

I am sure you can find a local guy like me to do a timing set for about 1/3 of the dealership.

If buying a used one with unknown history you can look at the tension on the passenger side rear of cylinder head to determine if ever replaced. If flat and looks like a large bolt head (probably slightly rusted) likely original. The newer upgraded style (even aftermarket changed) will stick out from having the extended spring housing. Also the new style is aluminum and will not have rust.