VUE 3.5L DIY difficult

[Vue&SL1]

Is it me or is the 3.5L jammed in their pretty good. What I mean is that it is really difficult to get in there and really have a good look at things, change plugs, etc. My SL is so easy to get in and work on. I am just thinking that the VUE will be a vehicle I have to take to Saturn to have worked on and keep enjoying how easy it is do everything myself on the SL.

Not whining as I LOVE the VUE...just wondering if other DIYers have found routine tasks and maintenance to be difficult. About the easiest things to do on the VUE for me have been changing the oil, ATF, and air filter. Everytime I get myself amped up to do some maintenance stuff on the VUE I open the hood up and sigh. Then I close the hood. LOL

On a side note, when I do a coolant flush and fill it back with coolant is there an air bleed screw to evacuate air from the system or is it like my SL where you can just point it uphill and rev it a little.

Thanks guys! :us:

[Bill Murray]

Well it's good to have small hands....:D

So far the most challenging job on my Vue was breaking loose the fill and drain plugs on the Honda trans. :upset:

Gonna do spark plugs this summer @ 50K
will see how that goes
don't plan on the cam belt for another 3 or 4 yrs

[Vue&SL1]

Well it's good to have small hands....:D

So far the most challenging job on my Vue was breaking loose the fill and drain plugs on the Honda trans. :upset:

Gonna do spark plugs this summer @ 50K
will see how that goes
don't plan on the cam belt for another 3 or 4 yrs

Let me know how it was getting the back 3 plugs out. I found a how to on the plugs and it didn't seem that bad. The back three with an extension worked into the dimples by the firewall is what was recommended.

If you did a how to on that it would be appreciated by many. :yes:

The ATF plug is in there pretty good isn't it. If I didn't have that cheater bar over the ratchet, I couldn't have done it. I made doubly sure I didn't tighten down too much for the next time!

[Dante]

The ATF plug is in there pretty good isn't it. If I didn't have that cheater bar over the ratchet, I couldn't have done it.

Wimp. :D

Yeah, that plug is a mofo to break loose. First time I went to work on it, it took me 15 minutes to find it, since I wasn't expecting the female square action goin on there... I was looking for a bolt plug like on the oil pan. LOL

On the coolant, I just pointed it uphill and let it *burp* itself, topping off the reservoir as I went. :D Same deal on the SL2 (which was done at the same time as the Vue, incidentally). I agree, the SL2 is a snap to work on. The Vue, a bit trickier here and there. But I'd keep my Vue over two SL2s!

[burnout]

On a side note, when I do a coolant flush and fill it back with coolant is there an air bleed screw to evacuate air from the system or is it like my SL where you can just point it uphill and rev it a little.

There is a coolant bleeder on the back of the block, to the left of the VTEC solenoid. Think "top left" of the oil filter. Probably not necessary to use though.

I don't find the vue THAT hard to work on really. There are MUCH worse cars out there.

I think the motor size is just about right for the size of the engine bay (in this day and age). Any smaller and there would be GOBS of unused space (like the ecotec) and any more and it would be a pain to even get the oil cap off.

[Chazberry]

Is it me or is the 3.5L jammed in their pretty good.

It's not just you. First car I've ever owned where you need a funnel to add oil.
Oil change on my '03 VUE 3.0L is a dream compared to the '07. I've only done oil changes on a few Jap engines, but it's always a mess. Oil all over everything when you remove the filter - which btw is a midget on this Honda motor (same filter as a Civic!). And I don't even want to THINK about replacing the alternator on this mixed-breed! :eek:

[Vue&SL1]

Good to see I am not the only one out there. I noticed the need for a funnel when I changed the oil. It is kind of down there isn't it. As for the alternator, I can't imagine trying to mess with that.

Thanks for the coolant bleed location.

[kodak_jack]

There's a discussion on the General section about replacing the timing belt at around 100,000 miles. I think many of us would like to do that ourselves, but the front of the engine being up against the strut tower doesn't help. There was a guy on here who was renting out the tools needed to keep everything in time while doing this. I wish a Saturn mechanic would post a how to. I'm not too keen on paying upwards of $1,000, as posted here before, to get this done.:dizzy:

[Vue&SL1]

There's a discussion on the General section about replacing the timing belt at around 100,000 miles. I think many of us would like to do that ourselves, but the front of the engine being up against the strut tower doesn't help. There was a guy on here who was renting out the tools needed to keep everything in time while doing this. I wish a Saturn mechanic would post a how to. I'm not too keen on paying upwards of $1,000, as posted here before, to get this done.:dizzy:

As I inch up towards 60,000, I too am getting bummed that I will eventually have to cough up 1,000+ to Saturn. On the bright side, that would really suck if the timing belt service interval were 60,000 miles like some vehicles out there. Kind of nice knowing that after I get it done, the next service isn't until 200K for the belt, water pump, etc. ;)

[danemobile]

This thread from the Accura MDX forum has a how to for the Valve Adjustment and Timing Belt Replacement. (http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=19972)

Looks like a time consuming job for the weekend mechanic but do able with the right tools and some patience.

Judging by past experience with the timing belt on my DOHC turbo Eclipse it will probably require a midget Sumo wrestler to access some of the bolts.

[kodak_jack]

This thread from the Accura MDX forum has a how to for the Valve Adjustment and Timing Belt Replacement. (http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=19972)

Looks like a time consuming job for the weekend mechanic but do able with the right tools and some patience.

Judging by past experience with the timing belt on my DOHC turbo Eclipse it will probably require a midget Sumo wrestler to access some of the bolts.

I guess I thought this would be a complete how-to. This guy took apart everything he could see and only gave some helpful hints on a couple. If my lifters weren't clicking, I doubt I would take half the engine apart to adjust them just for the hell of it. I don't understand why he took the intake manifold off. It's the LOUSY GM engines that have intake manifold gasket problems!:upset:

[Bill Murray]

You really need a FSM to do a job like this.
I wouldn't rely on somebody's internet essay.
Just my 2 cents........

[kodak_jack]

You really need a FSM to do a job like this.
I wouldn't rely on somebody's internet essay.
Just my 2 cents........

If somebody has the 05 FSM on DVD/CD, I'd gladly help them recoop some of their outlay for a back-up copy!!:)

[stocksaturn]

Hey now, The S series was no party ether. Starter and alternator on that bad boy! Holy crap. And even changing the battery with that stupid cover gets annoying. But under the hood the Vue is like, to use a old term my Auto teacher said "10 pounds of Sh*^ in a one pound bag." Those three rear spark plugs look fun as well as the alt. What type of bolt is holding the coil packs on the valve covers? Anyone know? Looks like a torx, but not. I'm going to have to go and buy a driver. Why do they do this to us!!!!!:cry:

[Chazberry]

Why do they do this to us!!!!!

To discourage the shade tree mechanic, of course!;)
I have to believe dealers make more $ on service than they do on sales.

[stocksaturn]

I have to believe dealers make more $ on service than they do on sales.
With out a doubt! Thats one reason I'm going to school to become a auto tech. Labor now-a-days is around $80-120 an hour.

[BobbyP]

It's not just you. First car I've ever owned where you need a funnel to add oil.
Oil change on my '03 VUE 3.0L is a dream compared to the '07. I've only done oil changes on a few Jap engines, but it's always a mess. Oil all over everything when you remove the filter - which btw is a midget on this Honda motor (same filter as a Civic!). And I don't even want to THINK about replacing the alternator on this mixed-breed! :eek:

A few years ago there was many posts where people cut the bottoms off a 1 litre plastic soda bottle and held it under the filter after they loosened it to catch the filter and the dripping oil.

As far as the drain plug, I have two words... Fumoto Valve... buy the N version with the nipple and attach a hose put it in a container and open it up.

You won't drop a single drop of oil.

[Vue&SL1]

[QUOTE=Chazberry;1179603]To discourage the shade tree mechanic, of course!;)
I have to believe dealers make more $ on service than they do on sales.[/QUOTE

I agree with you. The next time I purchase a vehicle I am going to really give the engine bay area a once over and see how I could get to this or that. Will definitely factor into the buying decision. By that time though there will be nothing out there you can wrench on yourself. :no:

My little SL is an awesome training tool for someone like me who is mechanically uninclined, but who wants to try and learn the basics to save some cash. There are so many mechanical how-tos and you tube videos on the S-series cars. I really enjoy reading the forums here looking for the next item I can replace on my SL. Sounds corny, but I am looking forward to replacing the serpentine belt, alternator, various gaskets, etc. I love sitting in the garage with a cold one, a game on the radio, and a wrench in my hand. Makes me feel manly! :dizzy:

[stocksaturn]

That’s what I did, When it took me like a half and hour to just find the tranny dip stick I knew is was going to be no easer then my Sc2 or my Vic. Working on I4 Vues is got to be a slice of cake compared to our V6's. Dang them!:D