GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2009 🢒 VUE - AWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.5L 🢒 Engine Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. With the tires in the straight forward position, remove the key from the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  3. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement.
  4. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement.

    5. Object Number: 857193 Size: SH
  5. Secure the cooling module to the upper body structure.
  6. Remove the battery and battery box. Refer to Battery Box Replacement.
  7. Disconnect the transmission shifter cable.
  8. Disconnect the wiring harness from the underhood junction block. Refer to Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement.
  9. Evacuate the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.

    10. Object Number: 1252513 Size: SH
  10. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling.
  11. Disconnect the radiator inlet and outlet hoses from the engine.
  12. Remove the engine control module (ECM). Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement.
  13. Remove the A/C low pressure tube at the front lift bracket.
  14. Disconnect the generator positive cable. Refer to Generator Replacement.
  15. Disconnect the A/C high pressure switch harness.
  16. Remove the A/C tube from the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement.
  17. Disconnect the A/C line from the condenser to compressor.
  18. Disconnect the coolant reservoir hose from the engine to reservoir.

    19. Object Number: 1875900 Size: SH
  19. Remove the heater outlet hose (1).
  20. Remove the starter positive cable.
  21. Relieve the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel Pressure Relief.
  22. Disconnect the fuel feed line. Refer to Fuel Hose/Pipes Replacement - Chassis.
  23. Disconnect the fuel evaporative emission (EVAP) line.
  24. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  25. Remove the lower transaxle-to-engine bolts.
  26. Remove the torque convertor inspection cover.
  27. Remove the torque convertor to flywheel bolts.
  28. Remove the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement.
  29. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  30. Remove the left wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement.
  31. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the transmission and bracket. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear.
  32. Remove the left and right tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
  33. Remove the left and right stabilizer bar links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  34. Disconnect the left and right lower ball joints. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement.
  35. Remove the left and right axle shaft nuts. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.

    36. Object Number: 928930 Size: SH
  36. For AWD, remove the propeller shaft completely from the vehicle. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.

    37. Note: In order to prevent possible SIR system deployment, do not attempt to rotate the steering shaft.

  37. Disconnect the steering shaft coupling from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Shaft Coupling Replacement.
  38. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side.
  39. Remove the 3 front fender pushpins to allow the front fender to flex.
  40. Use a paint pen or magic marker to mark the frame to the body position.
  41. Support the engine in the cradle with wood blocks.
  42. Disconnect the front transmission mount from the body. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement.

    43. Note: During the powertrain removal, support the vehicle body by placing a jack at the rear of the vehicle.

  43. Position the engine support table under the powertrain assembly.
  44. With the table positioned, fully raise the table to contact with the powertrain assembly.
  45. Remove the cradle bolts.
  46. Slowly lower the table to the floor.
  47. Remove the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement.
  48. Remove the following components:
    49. 48.1. Remove the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement.
    48.2. Remove the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement.
    48.3. Remove the front covers. Refer to Engine Front Cover Replacement.
    48.4. Remove the rocker covers. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side and Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Right Side.
    48.5. Remove the catalytic converters. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side and Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side.
    48.6. Remove the timing chain. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement.
    48.7. Remove the cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side and Cylinder Head Replacement - Right Side.
  49. Remove the front transmission mount from the engine. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement.
  50. Remove the right engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement.
  51. Separate the engine from the transmission.

Installation Procedure
  1. Align the engine to the transmission.

    2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1424759 Size: SH
  2. Apply sealant to the two upper transmission-to-engine bolts only, and install the transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers for the correct part number.

    3. Tighten the bolts to 64 N·m (47 lb ft).

  3. Install the right engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement.
  4. Install the front transmission mount to the engine. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement.
  5. Install the following components:
    6. 5.1. Install the cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side and Cylinder Head Replacement - Right Side.
    5.2. Install the timing chain. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement.
    5.3. Install the catalytic converters. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side and Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side.
    5.4. Install the rocker covers. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side and Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Right Side.
    5.5. Install the front covers. Refer to Engine Front Cover Replacement.
    5.6. Install the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement.
    5.7. Install the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement.
  6. Install the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement.
  7. Install the powertrain assembly to the vehicle.
  8. Install the cradle bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement.
  9. Remove the engine support table.
  10. Install the front transmission mount bolts to the body. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement.
  11. Remove the wood blocks from the cradle.
  12. Install the lower transaxle-to-engine bolts and tighten to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
  13. Install the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement.
  14. Install the torque convertor-to-flywheel bolts and tighten to 62 N·m (46 lb ft).
  15. Install the torque convertor inspection cover and tighten the bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).
  16. Install the 3 front fender pushpins.
  17. Install the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side.
  18. Connect the steering shaft coupling from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Shaft Coupling Replacement.
  19. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  20. Install the left and right axle shaft nuts. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  21. Connect the left and right lower ball joints. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement.
  22. Install the left and right stabilizer bar links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  23. Install the left and right tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
  24. Connect the transmission cooler lines to the transmission and bracket. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Rear.
  25. Install the left wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement.
  26. Install the front tires. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  27. Lower the vehicle.

    28. Object Number: 1226396 Size: SH
  28. Install the fuel EVAP line.
  29. Connect the fuel feed line. Refer to Fuel Hose/Pipes Replacement - Chassis.
  30. Install the starter positive cable and tighten to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

    31. Object Number: 1875900 Size: SH
  31. Install the heater outlet hose  (1).
  32. Install the A/C tube to the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement.
  33. Connect the coolant reservoir hose from the engine to reservoir.
  34. Connect the A/C line from the condenser to compressor.
  35. Connect the A/C high pressure switch harness.
  36. Connect the generator positive cable and nut and tighten to 12 N·m (106 lb in).
  37. Install the A/C lower pressure tube at the front lift bracket. Refer to Liquid Line Replacement.
  38. Install the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement.

    39. Object Number: 1252513 Size: SH
  39. Connect the radiator inlet and outlet hoses to the engine.
  40. Fill the vehicle with coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling.
  41. Connect the wiring harness to the underhood junction block. Refer to Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement.
  42. Connect the transmission shifter cable.

    43. Object Number: 857193 Size: SH
  43. Install the battery box and battery. Refer to Battery Box Replacement.
  44. Remove the cooling module support.
  45. Install the air outlet duct assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement.
  46. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement.
  47. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  48. Perform the throttle learn procedure. Refer to Throttle Learn.