Just bought a 2006 Vue with 3.5L six

[LastL4Banger]

Has 120k miles and runs nice, looks nice. Its also AWD. I've purchased 3 vues (still have 2) and 4 L's (still have one, niece has one). They all had the 4 cyl. Thanks to forum, I've mastered everything I needed to know about the ecotec. From what I've see the 3.5 is a good motor. I see it has a timing belt instead of chain. I'm guessing that needs to be changed at 100k and will assume it hasnt been.

so if there is anything of note I need to know, any mods or upgrades worth doing? I'm 14 years behind on the 3.5 and need to catch up.

[waiter21]

Inspect the engine cradle and the two forward cradle mounts for rust.

[LastL4Banger]

thanks, its now on the list. And of course I'm running into my first problem. I'm going to change the plugs. so I get the alldata access.

It says this in the procedure part

Adjust the spark plug gap to 1.1 mm (0.043 in) .

It says this in Specifications

1.0 - 1.1 mm (0.039 - 0.043 in)

And the Haynes manual says .040 in.

Not that its a big deal, I've always questioned accuracy when setting gaps anyway. And I see it only takes 4.5 quarts of oil. I'm sure that gets overfilled alot.

[SL2 Ride]

You'll want to do the plugs when you swap the timing belt.

[atikovi]

If you have the plugs out you might do or at least check the valve adjustment. Change the transmission fluid a few times.

[Mr Toad]

Motor Mounts
Brake caliper slide pins

[LastL4Banger]

Originally Posted by SL2 Ride

You'll want to do the plugs when you swap the timing belt.

I am so lucky that the previous owner saved all his repair receipts. I'm still going through them but I can see he changed the timing belt in 2016. that saves me about 800 bucks. I did change the plugs. this thread was big help

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=178886

Except for one, all the plugs looked good. I was able to remove the first plug with just my hand. I was simply turning the socket waiting for it to grab before putting the ratchet on it. and my first thought was "do I have the right socket" because I didnt think I was on the plug. I realized it was on the plug and it was coming out with just me turning the extension by hand. the plug and coil were covered in soot. Luckily the rest were good. I dont know whats that about but it seems that loose plugs is an issue with this motor. Is this a honda thing or just 3.5 L thing?

And the auto parts store only had Bosch Iridium plugs and I see that's an issue with some people in the thread I linked. Maybe just properly tightening the plugs improved the performance but it is running better. On a side note, I just dont believe the 100k performance of plugs. I always noticed a nice improvement replacing plugs after 50 k in all my ecotecs.

[LastL4Banger]

so the vue was leaking anti freeze from the water pump. so I got a new water pump and timing belt. If only the previous owner replaced the pump when he did the belt, it could have saved me some money. Got new motor mounts too. They were shot but the frame was good.

Of course the rear wiper was not working. There used to be a good video showing how to repair that which I needed for my 05 vue many years ago. On that vue, the backing plate was too tight and would bind the mech. so for this one I simply loosened the backing plate screws while still installed on the hatch. That fixed it. Will put some sound deadener the hatch while its apart. I'll sprinkle in some kilmat addition to the usual Prodex. This is the best mod ever

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=141110

I love stripping out the interior and installing this stuff.

[SL2 Ride]

Originally Posted by LastL4Banger

I am so lucky that the previous owner saved all his repair receipts. I'm still going through them but I can see he changed the timing belt in 2016. that saves me about 800 bucks. I did change the plugs. this thread was big help

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=178886

Except for one, all the plugs looked good. I was able to remove the first plug with just my hand. I was simply turning the socket waiting for it to grab before putting the ratchet on it. and my first thought was "do I have the right socket" because I didnt think I was on the plug. I realized it was on the plug and it was coming out with just me turning the extension by hand. the plug and coil were covered in soot. Luckily the rest were good. I dont know whats that about but it seems that loose plugs is an issue with this motor. Is this a honda thing or just 3.5 L thing?

And the auto parts store only had Bosch Iridium plugs and I see that's an issue with some people in the thread I linked. Maybe just properly tightening the plugs improved the performance but it is running better. On a side note, I just dont believe the 100k performance of plugs. I always noticed a nice improvement replacing plugs after 50 k in all my ecotecs.

On my first Vue, I went with Bosch Platinum plugs, and it ran great. On my current Vue with 90k miles I used the correct Denso iridiums, and it doesn't run any different, and someone had installed AC Delco plugs before I bought it.