GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2002 🢒 VUE - AWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Cooling 🢒 Timing Belt Front Cover Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.0L (L81).

    3. Important: The engine must be supported when the right hand engine mount is removed. If the floor jack is being used, the vehicle should not be lifted on a hoist.

    Important: If raising the vehicle on a hoist, the Three Bar Engine Support must be used.

  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  4. Remove the right front wheel.
  5. Remove the splash shield push-pins.
  6. Remove the splash shield.
  7. Lower the vehicle.
  8. Install the Three Bar Engine Support Fixture 6 Cylinder (L81) B.

    9. Object Number: 928645 Size: SH
  9. Loosen the water pump and idler pulley bolts. The accessory drive belt tension provides resistance to enable loosening of the bolts. Do not remove the fastening bolt at this time.

    10. Object Number: 898882 Size: SH
  10. Remove the accessory drive belt using a 15 mm wrench to compress the tensioner.

    11. Object Number: 891719 Size: SH

    Important: Removal of the accessory drive belt requires the removal of the right front engine mount.

  11. Remove the right engine mount to body mount.

    12. Object Number: 928645 Size: SH
  12. Remove the engine mount bracket from the engine.
  13. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
  14. Remove the water pump pulley

    15. Object Number: 952209 Size: SH
  15. Remove the idler pulley bolt.
  16. Remove the idler pulley.

    17. Object Number: 959938 Size: SH
  17. Disconnect the electrical harness connectors located at the engine harness channel.
  18. Disconnect the electrical harness channel from the front cover and position away from the front cover assembly.

    19. Object Number: 896418 Size: SH
  19. Remove the accessory drive belt tensioner bolts.
  20. Remove the accessory drive belt tensioner.

    21. Object Number: 960288 Size: SH

    Important: Disconnecting the A/C pressure connector will allow additional slack so that the harness may be secured to the top of the engine.

    Important: The engine harness channel has been disconnected and positioned away from the front cover assembly.

  21. Remove the front timing belt cover bolts.
  22. Remove the front timing belt cover.
  23. Inspect the sealing strip on the outer edge of the front timing belt cover for cracks and/or tears. Replace if necessary.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 896418 Size: SH
  1. Install the front timing belt cover.

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

  2. Install the front timing belt cover bolts.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the front timing belt cover bolt to 8 N·m (71 lb in).

  3. Install the accessory drive belt tensioner.
  4. Install the accessory drive belt tensioner bolts.

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the belt tensioner bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).


    Object Number: 952209 Size: SH
  5. Install the drive belt idler pulley.
  6. Install the drive belt idler pulley bolt.
  7. Snug the power idler pulley bolt. The bolts will be tightened to the proper specification when the serpentine drive belt is installed.

    8. Object Number: 928645 Size: SH
  8. Install the water pump pulley.
  9. Install the water pump pulley bolts. Snug the water pump pulley bolts. The bolts will be tightened to the proper specifications when the accessory drive belt is installed.

    10. Object Number: 959938 Size: SH
  10. Route the electrical harness into the engine harness channel and engage the connectors.
  11. Install the wiring harness channel to the front cover.

    12. Object Number: 960288 Size: SH

    Notice: Be sure to properly route the electrical harness to prevent harness damage caused by the accessory drive belt.

  12. Attach the wiring harness channel extension to the right lower side of the wiring harness channel.

    13. Object Number: 898882 Size: SH
  13. Install the accessory drive belt.

    14. Object Number: 928645 Size: SH
  14. Tighten the water pump pulley bolt.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the water pump pulley bolt to 8 N·m (71 lb in).

  15. Tighten the drive belt idler pulley bolts.

    16. Tighten
    Tighten the idler pulley bolt to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 928644 Size: SH
  16. Install the engine mount bracket and tighten the bolts.

    17. Tighten
    Tighten the engine mount bracket bolts to 55 N·m (41 lb ft).

  17. Install engine mount-to-frame rail and engine mount bracket.

    18. Tighten
    Tighten the engine mount-to- bracket bolt to 55 N·m (41 lb ft).

  18. Remove Three Bar Engine Support Fixture.

    19. Caution: Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

  19. Raise the vehicle.

    20. Object Number: 894225 Size: SH
  20. Install the splash shield.
  21. Install splash shield push pins.
  22. Install right front wheel and tire assembly.

    23. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel nuts to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).


    Object Number: 963227 Size: SH
  23. Lower the vehicle.
  24. Install air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
  25. Connect negative battery cable.

    26. Tighten
    Tighten the battery terminal bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).