2009 HHR 2 2L Ecotech Timing Chains and Water pump

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

The crankshaft bolt is to be torqued to 74 ft/lbs then tightened another 125 degrees . It’s also recommended to replace the bolt. The chain oiler spigot should be torqued to 89 inch pounds, that bolt can vibrate loose. The timing chain tensioner head is 32 mm , torque it to 55 ft/lb

[@nrguitarjambola3968]

Your video was very helpful. Marked the coolant pipe before removing to realign. Also bought a $6 mirror. Best tip. I also took a long hot shower when I got overwhelmed. I truly appreciate your effort to film and share your tips.

[@rickfrompaso5773]

I have a 2006 hhr, 2.4 with 340,000 miles and am looking at replacing the timing chain. Car runs great, no overheating, no smoke. Changed oil religiously every 5k Mobil 1. Only thing I've noticed recently is a little whine at highway speed.

[@bradleyk.waltrip1105]

Rotella 15w40 is where it's at watch how better your car runs when introduced to it.

[@luthers_janitorial1995]

@@bradleyk.waltrip1105with your advice that ecotec would never see 400,000 miles

[@hejakma4682]

Whoah, interesting that the chain hold up so long. I have 150000 km and i m already nervous.

[@JakeBeniffle]

Mine about 75 less

[@hammerhead6537]

I got a big laugh going on when you had to take a break because you where frustrated. The HHR will most definitely create frustration along with scratched hands and knuckles. Thanks again.

[@mden98]

Yes, I've found that sometimes it is good to stop and re-group and try again when I'm well rested. Once, when I couldn't stab a 5 spd trans, I left it till the following weekend, at which time the trans went straight in to the new clutch.

[@hammerhead6537]

@@mden98 It is amazing that most of the time after a lengthy walk away, then after returning, things seem to fall in place.

[@liberty4617]

Great how to video but i might have missed about setting the balance chain tensioner ,

[@RED-gv1js]

the tab on the coolant transfer pipe goes towards the thermostat housing and indexes in a slot in the thermostat housing.

[@mden98]

Thanks for the info, hopefully that will help the next person doing this repair.

[@Pete817ftw]

I have an 06 hhr the the timing chain broke. Luckily it wasnt while l was driving but this is my first time at doing one of these. I guess l betret hope l can set the timing right again

[@Toyeboy89]

My timing chain failed without warning at 152k miles on my 2.2 ecotech. I bought a Toyota now. Hopefully I'm problem free for a few years anyway.

[@mden98]

Sorry to hear about your timing chain going out. If it was still the original, it is not surprise. You may want to do a bit of research on your Toyota, to insure you don't need to do some preventative maintenance especially if it uses a timing belt instead of a chain. Good Luck with your Toyota, they are typically pretty good vehicles.

[@Toyeboy89]

mden98 it's a Toyota Yaris Liftback with the vvti 1.5 engine. It's Toyota certified and I'll take it there for maintenance.

[@mden98]

@@Toyeboy89 Have not heard anything bad about the Yaris, so you should be good. My experience has shown that imports don't require as much maintenance as the US manufactured vehicles.

[@markanderson4794]

Impressive work and quality filming

[@mden98]

Thanks, I hope the video helps as this isn't an easy timing chain to replace. When I did the first of these two repairs, I found no videos, so I hope this one helps the next person, new to this repair.

[@clarkjbunch]

The serpentine belt tool is way too long to be able to move even if you get it set in the tensioner. I bought one for $21 or so and, per the KZbin video I watched, cut it in half. That makes is short enough to use but still gives plenty of torque.

[@mden98]

Thanks for the tip on cutting the serpentine tool. If I remember correctly, I used a large pipe wrench around the tensioner assembly, to remove the tension.

[@anthonypapaleo1940]

I see you did a great job but at 130,000 is a little early .. I had mine done at 175,000 when I started to hear a rattle at start up ..that is when you know it’s time to rebuild ..If Chevy would put in thicker chains instead of bicycles chains it would last longer .. oil changes is must on time with theses motors ..

[@mden98]

Given that a co-workers 08 HHR had timing chain issues at 140k and he ended up dropping a used engine in it, I'm glad I did not wait. He bought it at 120k, so it may not have had regular oil changes. Also, my waterpump had already been seeping and it was causing the engine to run a bit hotter than after I replaced it. Wouldn't have wanted the waterpump to quit and overheat on my long road trip.

[@Okie93]

I have an '06 2.4L with 281,000 miles. Never replaced the timing chain. It rattles a lot, but there is no way I'm going to fix it if it breaks. It's been a strong car for me. No engine codes. My mom had a 2.2 and had her engine rebuilt. Seems like 2.4L is the way to go. I bought another HHR same year, same engine. Change the oil often and these cars run for a long time. I didn't realize that a faulty thermostat caused the AC to stop working. When I couldn't get it to work, I removed the shims on the clutch and ran it on through 3 summers until the AC died last year.

[@just__dave]

@@Okie93 240k on my ‘07 2.4. Only code I’ve ever had is a p0420 carbon emissions code due to the cat converter falling apart. Replaced that along with the sensors. All good. Of course there’s been plenty of maintenance work done like replacing bushings, motor mounts, suspension parts etc. But engine wise no real trouble.

[@dangerdoberman]

THANK YOU!!!

[@christopherkurucz]

You should also put distilled water instead of just water 💧

[@LeoMartinez-fe6jz]

Gracias por su video amigo

[@mden98]

De nada, espero que el video te ayude.

[@HauntedTrucking]

How do u manually turn the engine ? U mentioned it but never do it or show it

[@mden98]

I use a remote start button which I attach to the starter and the battery. Advance Auto should carry it. I rarely have help from anyone, so make due for myself. Hope all goes well, if and when you attempt this job.

[@hammerhead6537]

Very informative video, thank you. Semper Fi, USMC.

[@mden98]

All in all, both Ecotec engines, I replaced the timing chains on, are still running strong.

[@hammerhead6537]

@@mden98 Thanks for the reply.

[@d.j.9961]

On my 07 Pontiac G5 2.2 vin-F, I am having a HARD TIME FINDING A COMPLETE TIMING SET! Each set is missing something! Which set is most complete? Can u send me the part #'s for each part? Thank you!

[@mden98]

I am not aware of a "complete" set. The only part numbers are for the two items listed in my notes, but they may only correspond to those Ebay seller's parts. I no longer have the item numbers for the additional items, not included with the kit, but you should be able to purchase those somewhere like Advance, where you can get a 20% online discount. The 2 sprockets and kit were cheaper on Ebay.

[@lawrencerasmus]

This convinced me to buy a Subaru

[@mden98]

Unless it's a new one, that you will get rid of in a few years, I wouldn't recommend that. Both the HHR and the G6 with the same engine, have hit 150k miles with relatively few issues. Both timing chain replacements were preventative maintenance. Meanwhile, my sister has sunk about $12k into her 2009 Forester and finally got rid of it at 100k miles.

[@kylebeach2316]

Too me you've just went backwards reliability wise unless it's a newer Subaru the older ones are plagued with issues that are more serious then a timing chain replacement on a small 4 cylinder engine

[@garyesada5766]

I wonder what mileage these chains go bad? My HHR believe it or not has only 50,000 miles.

[@kelseylorenz]

Mine went bad around 150k

[@garyesada5766]

@@kelseylorenz Did you here a sound or something? Were there warning signs?

[@jazmine2412]

Will the car start if the timing chain is bad will the car start if the water pump is bad what are the symptoms that u got that your timing chain and water pump needed replaced please and thank u

[@mikegarza1272]

Typically the car will not start if the timing chain goes bad, however if the chain were to jump a tooth, it might still start, but would run very bad. If the water pump is bad, it will either leak antifreeze or the engine will overheat, but the engine may still start. Fortunately I was not having any symptoms when I replaced mine. It was done as a preventative measure, so my daughter would not have any issues.

[@jazmine2412]

Mike Garza thank u

[@thomasarguijo4544]

what website is ever green parts on. I need to order a kit for my HHR

[@mden98]

I purchased all of my parts on eBay. You should also be able to purchase on Amazon, but sometimes they cost a bit more.

[@JoJuBiRe]

@9:50 how were you able to turn it over while you were under the vehicle, or did you have a helping hand?

[@mden98]

Sorry for the delayed response. I use a remote start button which I attach to the starter and the battery. Advance Auto should carry it. I rarely have help from anyone, so make due for myself. Hope all goes well, if and when you attempt this job.

[@rodneybarr8305]

⁸77i⁸ii7i7o

[@terryvinson5194]

We're are you located I need my 2010hhr done lol

[@mden98]

I’m currently in San Antonio, TX but I only work on my own vehicles. If you happen to be in the area, I may be able to assist, but I’m not up for doing the repair myself.

[@cruxinterfaces]

Nice work, we will be at CES please check us out.

[@123tylerwebster]

Who designs such a stupid design? I can do my truck in like an hour.

[@mden98]

I agree, but I have to say that both my mom and daughter's engines are still running strong and although these were a preventative maintenance, I have not had issues with either engine, aside from faulty thermostats, which don't cause an overheat issue, but do throw the car into some type of limp mode, which shuts down the AC.

[@123tylerwebster]

mden98 I have an 09 HHR With the 2.2. I have 104,000 on mine. Was just wondering what was all involved. About to do a coolant flush.

[@mden98]

​@@123tylerwebster As you will see at the end of the video, there are 2 bolts that need to be removed, for the water outlet and you definitely will want to replace the thermostat, since they tend to fail, when the inner seal doesn't seat properly. I wouldn't mess with the heater hoses are they are next to impossible to remove, without having to cut them. Both of my vehicles seem to still have good OE heater hoses at 130k miles, so I left well enough alone when it came to the heater hoses. I did buy myself a lighted mirror, to be able to see what I was working on, since the thermostat is tucked in the back of the engine. Good Luck!

[@123tylerwebster]

Thanks for the response

[@bradleyk.waltrip1105]

GD dude talks with a funny accent terrible camera work and he seems to explain things ok but doesn't show you a lot of things although he'll say how to do stuff that's already done.

[@bradleyk.waltrip1105]

Please don't make anymore videos. This was a total waste of my time.

[@Astralpilot2.0]

Mine is turning over not cranking. I tried a starter and no go. Battery, no go. Any recommendations? In one sense I'm wasting money repairing things that are not broke. The way I'm seeing it is the car was seriously neglected and I will drive the shit out of it for work so its money in the bank

[@mden98]

You will probably need to have someone familiar with these engines, take a look at it. You may have a bad crank sensor or some other sensor, keeping it from starting. If the timing chain has jumped, you have probably already damaged valves as this is an interference engine and that will require quite a bit more work since you will need to remove the cylinder head and see what the damage is. When timing chains jump, often people will just go with a used engine instead of repairing the costly damage.