Replace spark plug 3.5L
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I'm assuming you have an '06+ Malibu? I'm not really familiar with the engine options, but the 3.5 should just be a bored out 3.4. If it's similar to the 3.4 that was in the 99+ Grand Am/Alero/Malibu the plugs are in the rear of the engine (next to the firewall). It was a bitch getting to the plugs in those cars, and could take hours (several breaks) because you can't access them very easily. I had to sit on my engine in order to be more comfortable at accessing them.
If there is no room to reach them (my wifes rendezvous is like this) then you're best off taking it to a mechanic. The dealership loosens one of the mounts or something like that and literally pulls the engine forwards in order to access them. Unless you have the right tools/know how you'd be saving yourself a lot of time and headaches taking it to a shop. Good luck.
If there is no room to reach them (my wifes rendezvous is like this) then you're best off taking it to a mechanic. The dealership loosens one of the mounts or something like that and literally pulls the engine forwards in order to access them. Unless you have the right tools/know how you'd be saving yourself a lot of time and headaches taking it to a shop. Good luck.
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I thought they shared the same block. Huh, learn something new every day. I guess that explains why you haven't heard of any 3.5's w/lower intake manifold gasket problems.
Yeah.... I've tried myself.... figured out this is very hard task. For me even front spark plugs seems to be a problem because air intake tube in a way.
Is it possible to lift/move it to clear the way? Well I probably will go to the mechanic, but just need to check front spark plugs how they look, to see if any buildups there and so on.
Is it possible to lift/move it to clear the way? Well I probably will go to the mechanic, but just need to check front spark plugs how they look, to see if any buildups there and so on.
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yes it very simple ony a few bolts and it can easily be pulled up out of the way i canged the plugs on my 05 malibu in a bout 45 min.. 
Image Hosting the circles are where the bolts are to take off your intake
Image Hosting the circles are where the bolts are to take off your intakeThank you! that is great
But how do you reach read plugs... that will be a big deal!?!
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97 Posts
I did mine in 15 minutes. Some people remove the upper engine mount and rock the engine forward. Others remove the coil. All of them waste time.
They make sparkplug sockets with built on pivot extensions. They also make rachets that pivot as well. I have a single pivot ratchet and a double pivot ratchet. They make life easier for everything. I would really recommend that anyone who works on their own cars gets a set of those ratchets at the least. And if you have some money for the plug sockets, get those.
They pivot 180 degrees both ways. They don't move all around on you. Trust me they are well worth it. To keep cost down go to Harbor Frieght. You can get them for like 20-40 bucks depending on size and brand. They are called "flex head ratchets".
And that is a double flex ratchet.
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The double pivot one is not really all that necessary. The single most certainly is. I cannot tell you how many hours they have saved me. Or just the trouble they save you.
If we are talking about the 2006 3.5, It actually is a bored out 3.4L The bore goes from 3.62 in (3.4l) to 3.70 in.(3.5l) The Stroke remains the same in both at 3.31 inches. I think in 2007 the 3.5l vvt went to a different bore and stroke. Nonetheless all those 60 degree v6 were based on the same block. the 2.8l back in the 80's.
Okay. GM was touting it as an "all-new" design when I bought my 04. But having just done some digging, everything says what you're saying- the 3.5 (the LX9, anyway) is a derivative of the 3400 / 3100 / 3.1 / 2.8 etc. 60 degree V6 family.
Thanks for the correction.
Thanks for the correction.
So freakin' simple! I'll bet the Government Solution would cost a whole lot more!
Thanks much. I did it over the weekend. I ultimately had to remove the alternator and pull the coil pack bracket back. I was than able to see what I was dioing and get a regular plug wire puller on the boot. I couldn't pull on the handle like normal because it was so close to the firewall, so I held the handle with one hand, and pulled at boot end with the other until it popped. Having a plug socket with the rubber in the middle was a huge help when putting the new plugs in and getting them started.
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From 04-06 the 3.5 was a modified 3.4L, then they switched to a new block for the 3.5 and 3.9 in 06-08 Classic
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