Crankshaft R&R

Complete removal and replacement of the crankshaft assembly, requiring full engine disassembly including timing chain, pistons, and connecting rods.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Crankshaft (machined or new) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing set (standard or oversized) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rod bearing set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cylinder head gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing cap bolts (TTY) × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Connecting rod bolts (TTY) × 8 — Use OEM specification
• Cylinder head bolts (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Piston ring sets × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-14000
• Oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine assembly lube × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (Honda Bond) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Honda Genuine 0W-20 engine oil — 4 qt
• Honda Type 2 Coolant (Blue) — 6 qt

Preparation

1. Verify replacement crankshaft has been properly machined and inspected with all journal measurements documented
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for airbag system discharge
3. Drain engine oil and coolant completely into appropriate containers
4. Remove engine cover and air intake system
5. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and running engine until it stalls
6. Raise vehicle on lift or jack stands and remove front wheels
7. Remove front subframe if necessary for clearance
8. Disconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and coolant hoses from engine
9. Remove exhaust system from manifold back to catalytic converter
10. Support transmission with jack and remove engine mount bolts
11. Attach engine hoist with chains to lifting points and remove engine from vehicle
12. Mount engine securely on engine stand
13. Clean work area and organize all removed components for inspection

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove cylinder head assembly
   Remove valve cover, then loosen cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (from outside to center). Remove cylinder head assembly and place on clean surface. Inspect head gasket surface for damage or warping.
   Torque spec

   Cylinder Head Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove timing chain components
   Remove harmonic balancer using puller tool. Remove timing cover bolts in sequence and remove timing cover. Release timing chain tensioner and remove tensioner assembly. Remove timing chain guides and timing chain. Mark camshaft and crankshaft timing positions before removal.
   ⚠Harmonic balancer bolt may require impact wrench for removal. Do not pry against timing cover surface.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove oil pan and oil pump
   Remove oil pan bolts in reverse sequence and carefully separate pan from block. Remove oil pump pickup tube bolts, then remove oil pump mounting bolts and extract oil pump assembly. Inspect pump for wear or damage.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove pistons and connecting rods
   Mark each connecting rod and cap with cylinder number using permanent marker. Remove connecting rod bolts and caps. Push each piston and rod assembly up through top of cylinder bore. Keep rod caps matched with their respective rods. Inspect cylinder walls for scoring or wear.
   ⚠Never mix connecting rod caps between cylinders. Each cap must return to its original rod and orientation.
   Torque spec

   Connecting Rod Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove crankshaft and main bearing caps
   Mark main bearing caps with position and directional arrow if not already marked from factory. Remove main bearing cap bolts in sequence from outside to inside. Carefully lift main bearing caps and keep in order. Carefully lift crankshaft from block. Remove thrust bearings from block and cap.
   ⚠️Main bearing caps must be installed in exact original position and orientation. Mixing caps will cause immediate engine failure.
   Torque spec

   Main Bearing Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove and inspect seals
   Remove front and rear main seal housings. Remove old seals from housings using appropriate seal removal tool. Clean all sealing surfaces thoroughly. Inspect seal housing bores for damage or scoring.
   Torque spec

   Front Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Clean and inspect block
   Thoroughly clean cylinder block, main bearing saddles, and all surfaces. Inspect main bearing saddles for wear or damage. Measure main bearing bore diameter with dial bore gauge at multiple points. Verify all oil passages are clean and unrestricted. Check block deck surface for warping using straightedge and feeler gauge.
   ℹ️Main bearing saddle bore out-of-round exceeding 0.025mm requires line boring by machine shop.
8. 8

   Prepare and measure new crankshaft
   Clean new or machined crankshaft thoroughly. Measure all main and rod journals with micrometer in multiple locations to verify roundness and taper are within specification (max 0.005mm out-of-round). Check crankshaft runout with V-blocks and dial indicator (max 0.05mm). Verify oil passage holes are clear.
   ⚠Honda specification requires main journals 52.000-52.010mm diameter and rod journals 43.000-43.010mm diameter for standard size. Use appropriate undersize bearings if machined.
9. 9

   Install main bearings and check clearances
   Install upper main bearing shells into block saddles (without lubrication for measurement). Install lower bearing shells into caps. Place crankshaft into position. Install Plastigage strips on each journal parallel to crankshaft centerline. Install main bearing caps in correct position and orientation with NEW bolts. Torque main bearing cap bolts to 75 Nm, then add specified angle per Honda procedure. Remove caps and measure Plastigage width (specification: 0.020-0.047mm clearance). Record all measurements.
   ⚠️Do NOT rotate crankshaft with Plastigage installed. TTY bolts used for checking must be discarded and new bolts used for final assembly.
   ⚠Bearing clearance outside specification requires different bearing size or crankshaft machining. Do not proceed if clearances are incorrect.
   Torque spec

   Main Bearing Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Final crankshaft installation
    Remove crankshaft and bearings. Lubricate all upper bearing shells with engine assembly lube and reinstall in block. Lubricate crankshaft journals with assembly lube. Carefully place crankshaft in position. Lubricate lower bearing shells and install in caps. Apply light coat of engine oil to NEW main bearing cap bolt threads. Install main bearing caps in correct position with arrows pointing toward front of engine. Install NEW main bearing cap bolts hand tight, then torque in sequence from center outward to 75 Nm plus specified angle per Honda service manual.
    ⚠️Use only NEW main bearing cap bolts. Tighten in proper sequence: center main first, then alternating outward.
    Torque spec

    Main Bearing Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install piston rings and check clearances
    Install piston rings on pistons using ring installer tool. Install lower oil ring expander, then oil ring rails, then second compression ring (mark facing up), then top compression ring (mark facing up). Check ring end gaps by inserting each ring into cylinder bore and measuring with feeler gauge (specification: 0.20-0.30mm top ring, 0.40-0.50mm second ring). Verify ring side clearance in piston grooves. Stagger ring end gaps 120 degrees apart.
    ⚠Ring end gap too small will cause ring butting and engine damage. Gap too large indicates excessive bore wear.
12. 12

    Install pistons and connecting rods
    Install rod bearing shells in connecting rods and caps (without lubrication). Place Plastigage on rod journals and install pistons with ring compressor. Install rod caps with NEW connecting rod bolts and torque to 45 Nm plus angle. Remove caps and check bearing clearance (specification: 0.025-0.053mm). If correct, remove pistons, lubricate bearings and journals with assembly lube, reinstall pistons using ring compressor ensuring compression rings face up, and torque NEW rod bolts to 45 Nm plus specified angle. Verify crankshaft rotates freely.
    ⚠Install pistons with directional mark toward front of engine. Rod bearing cap orientation is critical - match marks must align.
    Torque spec

    Connecting Rod Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install oil pump and oil pan
    Install NEW front crankshaft seal in timing cover using seal driver. Prime oil pump by filling with clean engine oil. Install oil pump with NEW gasket and torque bolts to 12 Nm. Install oil pump pickup tube with NEW O-ring and torque to 12 Nm. Apply thin bead of Honda Bond RTV to oil pan mating surface. Install oil pan with NEW gasket and torque bolts in sequence from center outward to 12 Nm. Allow RTV to cure per manufacturer specification before adding oil.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install timing components and cylinder head
    Install rear main seal in housing using seal driver, then install housing with NEW gasket and torque to 12 Nm. Install NEW timing chain guides and torque to 12 Nm. Position crankshaft at TDC cylinder 1. Install timing chain with marks aligned to crankshaft and camshaft gears. Install timing chain tensioner with pin/clip installed to compress plunger, torque to 25 Nm, then release pin. Apply RTV to timing cover corners, install NEW timing cover gasket, install timing cover and torque 10mm bolts to 45 Nm and 8mm bolts to 25 Nm in sequence. Install harmonic balancer and torque bolt to 180 Nm. Install cylinder head with NEW gasket and NEW head bolts, torque to 65 Nm plus angle in proper sequence.
    ⚠️Timing chain alignment is critical. Incorrect timing will cause valve-to-piston contact and immediate engine destruction upon startup.
    Torque spec

    Rear Main Seal Housing12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

    Cylinder Head Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Complete engine reassembly and installation
    Complete all remaining cylinder head component installation (camshafts, valve train, valve cover). Remove engine from stand and install in vehicle using engine hoist. Reconnect all engine mounts and torque transmission-to-engine bolts to 55 Nm and mount bolts to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, coolant hoses, and fuel lines. Install exhaust system. Install NEW oil filter and fill engine with 4 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil. Fill cooling system with Honda Type 2 Blue coolant. Reconnect battery.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all torque specifications and tightening sequences were followed correctly
2. Verify all electrical connections are secure and properly routed
3. Confirm all fluid levels are correct (engine oil, coolant)
4. Ensure no tools or parts were left in engine compartment
5. Check that all hoses and lines are properly connected with no kinks

Verification

• Before starting engine, remove spark plugs and crank engine by hand 2 complete revolutions to verify no binding or interference
• Reinstall spark plugs and perform initial startup with oil pressure gauge monitoring - verify oil pressure within 5 seconds
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks, unusual noises, or warning lights
• Check for oil, coolant, or fuel leaks around all disturbed components
• Verify engine idles smoothly with no abnormal vibration or knocking sounds
• Perform test drive and monitor engine performance, oil pressure, and temperature
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and top off as necessary
• After 500 miles, drain oil and replace filter, inspect drain plug and filter area for metal particles indicating bearing wear

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle