Camshaft R&R

Complete removal and replacement of intake and exhaust camshafts on the 1.5L turbo engine, including timing chain removal, cam phaser service, and valve train components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Camshaft(s) - intake and/or exhaust as needed × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — 12030-5BA-A00
• Timing chain tensioner seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — 11830-5BA-A00
• Cam phaser O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-14000
• Engine oil 0W-20 × 4 — Honda Genuine 0W-20
• Threadlocker (medium strength) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV gasket maker (Honda Bond HT) × 1 — 08718-0004
• Camshaft bearing caps (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Honda Genuine 0W-20 — 4 qt
• Honda Type 2 Coolant (Blue) — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours)
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for airbag system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on clip locations
4. Drain engine oil completely and install drain plug with new crush washer
5. Remove air intake tube and air filter housing assembly
6. Disconnect all electrical connectors from valve cover (ignition coils, VVT solenoid, cam position sensor)
7. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs
8. Remove accessory drive belt by releasing spring-loaded tensioner
9. Support engine from below with jack and wood block, then remove right-side engine mount to improve access
10. Position crankshaft to TDC cylinder #1 by aligning timing marks (crankshaft pulley mark aligned with pointer)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve cover
   Remove all valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (start from outer bolts working inward). Carefully lift valve cover straight up to avoid damaging gasket mating surfaces. If stuck, gently tap with rubber mallet. Remove and discard valve cover gasket.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer
   Use breaker bar to remove crankshaft pulley bolt (counterclockwise). This bolt is very tight and may require impact wrench. Hold crankshaft from rotating using appropriate holding tool or by placing vehicle in gear with parking brake applied. Remove harmonic balancer from crankshaft snout.
   ⚠This is a torque-to-yield (TTY) bolt. Replace with new bolt during reassembly per Honda service manual specifications.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove timing cover
   Remove upper timing cover bolts (8mm and 10mm sizes) in reverse sequence. Note locations of different bolt lengths. Carefully separate timing cover from engine block. Clean all RTV residue from mating surfaces on block and cover using plastic scraper. Inspect cover for cracks or damage.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Verify and document timing marks
   Confirm engine is at TDC cylinder #1 with all timing marks aligned. Intake cam phaser should have colored link aligned with mark, exhaust cam sprocket colored link aligned with mark, and crankshaft sprocket colored link aligned with mark. Take detailed photos from multiple angles. Mark chain-to-sprocket relationship with paint pen as backup.
   ⚠️Proceeding without verified timing marks documented will almost certainly result in incorrect reassembly and engine damage.
5. 5

   Remove timing chain tensioner
   Remove VVT solenoid bolt and VVT solenoid. Remove timing chain tensioner bolt. Carefully extract tensioner assembly. Note the compressed position. Inspect tensioner ratchet mechanism and plunger for wear or damage.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing chain guides
   Remove timing chain guide bolts securing upper guide and tensioner arm guide. Carefully remove guides from engine. Inspect guides for excessive wear, cracking, or loose material. Replace if wear exceeds 1mm depth or any cracks visible.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove cam phaser and camshaft sprocket
   Hold intake camshaft stationary using wrench on hex section (located between cam lobes). Remove cam phaser bolt. Remove intake cam phaser/VVT actuator assembly. Hold exhaust camshaft stationary and remove camshaft sprocket bolt. Remove exhaust cam sprocket. Keep timing chain supported to prevent falling into engine.
   ⚠Do not allow timing chain to fall into lower timing case. Use wire or zip tie to support chain tension.
   Torque spec

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Sprocket Bolt80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove camshaft bearing caps
   Loosen all camshaft bearing cap bolts gradually in multiple passes (3-4 passes), working from outer bolts toward center. This prevents camshaft distortion. Remove bolts completely. Mark each bearing cap with cylinder number and orientation (intake/exhaust, front/rear) using permanent marker. Caps MUST return to exact original positions. Remove bearing caps and store in order.
   ⚠️Bearing caps are machined as matched sets. Installing caps in wrong positions will cause catastrophic bearing failure.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove camshafts and inspect
   Carefully lift intake and exhaust camshafts straight up from cylinder head. Keep camshafts separated and labeled. Inspect cam lobes for scoring, pitting, or wear patterns. Measure cam lobe height and journal diameters with micrometer. Inspect cam journals in cylinder head for scoring or discoloration. Check camshaft endplay specification. Inspect rocker arms and valve stems for wear.
   ℹ️Normal cam lobe wear limit is typically 0.1mm. Consult service manual for exact specifications before reusing camshafts.
10. 10

    Install replacement or inspected camshafts
    Lubricate all cam journals and lobes with fresh engine oil. Carefully place intake and exhaust camshafts into their correct positions in cylinder head. Ensure camshaft timing drive gears are positioned approximately opposite each other (exhaust cam at roughly 12 o'clock, intake cam at roughly 6 o'clock when viewed from timing chain end). Lubricate bearing cap journals with engine oil.
    ⚠Never force camshafts into position. Binding indicates incorrect cam position or debris in journals.
11. 11

    Install camshaft bearing caps
    Install all bearing caps in their exact original positions and orientations per your marks. Ensure alignment marks or numbers face outward. Hand-start all camshaft bearing cap bolts. Tighten in multiple passes (minimum 3 passes) working from center caps outward toward ends. Use specified sequence pattern. Final torque to specification.
    ⚠Uneven tightening or single-pass tightening will distort camshafts and cause bearing damage.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

    Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install timing chain and sprockets
    Route timing chain around crankshaft sprocket. Install exhaust camshaft sprocket with timing chain, aligning colored chain link with sprocket timing mark. Apply threadlocker to camshaft sprocket bolt. Hold exhaust cam on hex and torque bolt to specification. Install intake cam phaser/VVT actuator with new O-ring, aligning colored chain link with timing mark. Apply threadlocker to cam phaser bolt. Hold intake cam on hex and torque bolt to specification. Verify all three timing marks are perfectly aligned.
    ⚠️Triple-check timing mark alignment before proceeding. Rotate engine two full revolutions by hand and reconfirm marks align at TDC.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Sprocket Bolt80 Nm (59 lb-ft)

    Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install timing chain guides and tensioner
    Install timing chain guides and torque bolts to specification. Compress timing chain tensioner plunger and insert retaining pin or bent paper clip to hold compressed. Install tensioner and torque bolt to specification. Remove retaining pin to activate tensioner. Verify tensioner extends and chain has proper tension.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install timing cover
    Clean all mating surfaces thoroughly. Apply thin continuous bead of Honda Bond HT RTV to timing cover mating surface per service manual pattern. Install cover within 5 minutes of RTV application. Install timing cover bolts (note different lengths in different positions). Tighten in proper sequence: 8mm bolts to specification, then 10mm bolts to specification.
    ⚠Allow RTV to cure for minimum 30 minutes before adding oil. Full cure requires 24 hours for maximum seal.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install crankshaft pulley and valve cover
    Install harmonic balancer onto crankshaft. Install new crankshaft pulley bolt (if TTY type). Torque to specification while holding crankshaft. Install new valve cover gasket ensuring proper seating in all grooves. Install valve cover and torque bolts in sequence from center outward. Install spark plugs and ignition coils. Reconnect all electrical connectors. Install VVT solenoid with new seal if applicable.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall right-side engine mount and torque mounting bolts to specification
2. Install accessory drive belt ensuring proper routing around all pulleys
3. Reinstall air filter housing and intake tube with all clamps secure
4. Reinstall engine cover by pressing down firmly on all clip locations
5. Fill engine with 4 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil (verify final level on dipstick)
6. Reconnect negative battery terminal

Verification

• Before starting engine, manually rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions using breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt. Verify smooth rotation with no binding or resistance
• Reconfirm all timing marks align perfectly at TDC after two complete rotations
• Check for any tools or parts left in engine bay
• Start engine and verify immediate oil pressure (oil light should extinguish within 2-3 seconds)
• Listen for abnormal timing chain noise, valve train noise, or irregular operation during first 30 seconds
• Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature and verify no oil leaks from valve cover or timing cover
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes related to camshaft position sensors or VVT system
• Road test vehicle under light load and verify normal performance with no misfires or hesitation
• Recheck engine oil level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Inspect valve cover and timing cover gaskets for leaks after 24-hour RTV cure period

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