Change Spark Plugs/RDM Module Fluid

[VueGuy168]

Good Morning everyone, I am a new Saturn VUE owner I purchased an 02 Saturn VUE AWD V6. 116000 mi

This thing needs a lot of tender love and care. The dealer did nothing to take care of this vehicle.

Can someone help me and give me detailed instructions on how to change the spark plugs in this vehicle and the RDM module fluid. I have a service engine soon light on that after resettting comes back on. I can almost bet the plugs need changed. Since the air filter was really disgusting.

I also would like to change the RDM module fluid as well. Thanks.

[Ritz]

Good Morning everyone, I am a new Saturn VUE owner I purchased an 02 Saturn VUE AWD V6. 116000 mi

This thing needs a lot of tender love and care. The dealer did nothing to take care of this vehicle.

Can someone help me and give me detailed instructions on how to change the spark plugs in this vehicle and the RDM module fluid. I have a service engine soon light on that after resettting comes back on. I can almost bet the plugs need changed. Since the air filter was really disgusting.

I also would like to change the RDM module fluid as well. Thanks.

The plugs are pain in the rump on that engine. I believe you need to take the intake plenum off. If the SES light is on, there's a code stored. Since you said you reset it, you must have seen the code. What was it?

The RDM fluid change is fairly simple. See my write-up and pics that I posted here a couple of months ago.

Best,

[VueGuy168]

I do not know the codes. It sounded as if it was spurdering lightly while idle before changing the plugs.ran fine though smooth.. Not loud enough to notice but if you listen closely you could hear it, the SES light was on I reset it and then it came on again. I did try to do the plugs myself.... Well I screwed up because after I put the plugs in and put everything back, it was misfiring and sounded terrible. It was not doing this before. I am not a mechanic but had instructions to do it. It is a pain like you said.. I do not know if I messed the coil pack up while taking it out or putting it back in to get to the plugs but the instructions say do it with the hands of a surgeon. Its tough to get to the back plugs, I could not get the darn fuel line disconnected off the manifold to move it far enough away so i propped it up while working on it. But I was able to change the back ones. What do you think could of happened? Coil pack or possibly kinked up the metal fuel line? I do not know but a local shop says they charge three hours for spark plugs. I took it to a GM service facility and they have yet to call me back to see what the heck is wrong.

I tried doing something myself and failed. I guess something that complex, I should of never messed with. The 02 VUE V6 3.0 has 116000 mi on it. The plugs I took out looked fouled out, but they were those Bosch Platinum Plus 4. I also believe the pre gap plugs I bought were not gapped to the right gap. I think under the hood it says like 0.50, they are 0.40. Do you know the exact gap?

[VueGuy168]

PO 171 was the code.

[Ritz]

That's "system lean" code. You sure you didn't knock a vacuum line loose when you were fiddling under the hood? It could be as simple as a vacuum leak.

You used a new gasket when you replaced the intake plenum after doing the plugs, right? :)

Cheers,

[VueGuy168]

sadly I did not see a gasket there. I did not install a new one. You may be right
I triple checked the hookups I labeled them and listed them on a piece of paper also. I will keep you posted on what they say the problem is. Can a bad 02 sensor be a possible issue with that code?

[Ritz]

sadly I did not see a gasket there. I did not install a new one. You may be right
I triple checked the hookups I labeled them and listed them on a piece of paper also. I will keep you posted on what they say the problem is. Can a bad 02 sensor be a possible issue with that code?

Get a can of spray carburator cleaner. It's running rough at idle, right? If so, spray puffs of carburator cleaner around the mating surface between the intake and the plenum. If the idle suddenly evens out after you spray one particular area with carb cleaner, you've found the vacuum leak (if that's the problem).

Cheers,