Lifters/Tappets - All

Complete replacement of all hydraulic valve lifters/tappets in the 1.5L turbocharged engine, requiring camshaft removal and precise reassembly with critical torque sequences.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Hydraulic valve lifters/tappets (set of 16) × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover bolt grommets × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft bearing cap seals × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil control valve gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Honda 0W-20, OEM filter

Fluids

• Honda Genuine 0W-20 — 4 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (overnight cooling preferred)
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for airbag system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front corners
4. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
5. Remove intake air duct and air cleaner assembly
6. Disconnect all electrical connectors from valve cover area (ignition coils, VTC actuators, sensors)
7. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs, label cylinder positions
8. Support engine weight using engine support fixture attached to lifting eyes
9. Remove upper engine mount and bracket for access
10. Document all electrical routing and connector positions with photos
11. Clean entire valve cover and surrounding area thoroughly to prevent contamination

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve cover assembly
   Unbolt valve cover in reverse of tightening sequence (start from ends, work toward center). Remove 10 bolts and carefully lift valve cover straight up to avoid damaging gasket surfaces. Remove and discard old gasket, grommets, and spark plug tube seals. Clean all mating surfaces with plastic scraper and brake cleaner.
   Torque spec

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

   Set engine to TDC cylinder #1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise (using 19mm socket on crankshaft pulley bolt) until UP mark on camshaft timing chain sprockets aligns with top surface of cylinder head. Verify TDC mark on crankshaft pulley aligns with timing pointer. Both intake and exhaust cam sprocket marks must align simultaneously. Mark this position with paint pen on chain and sprockets.
   ⚠️Verify TDC position THREE times before proceeding. Incorrect timing will destroy engine.
3. 3

   Secure timing chain and remove cam sprockets
   Install timing chain keeper tool to prevent chain from falling into timing cover. Hold camshaft with holding tool on hex section behind sprocket. Remove camshaft sprocket bolts and carefully remove both sprockets without losing alignment pins. Secure timing chain with wire or keeper tool. Mark chain-to-sprocket relationship with paint if not already marked.
   ⚠️Do not drop alignment pins or allow timing chain to fall into cover. Engine must remain at TDC throughout this procedure.
4. 4

   Remove camshaft position sensors and VTC actuators
   Remove camshaft position sensors from cylinder head. Remove Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuators from intake and exhaust camshafts. Keep all bolts organized by location. Inspect actuator oil control valve screens for debris.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Mark and remove camshaft bearing caps
   Using permanent marker, clearly mark each bearing cap with its position number and orientation arrow pointing toward intake side. Loosen bearing cap bolts in multiple passes, working from outer caps toward center, 1/4 turn at a time to release valve spring pressure evenly. Remove all bearing caps and store in order. Note that caps are NOT interchangeable between positions.
   ⚠Uneven loosening can bend camshafts or crack bearing caps. Follow sequence strictly in minimum 3 passes.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove camshafts
   Carefully lift intake camshaft straight up, then exhaust camshaft. Place on clean padded surface. Do not set camshafts directly on hard surfaces. Inspect cam lobes and bearing journals for scoring, wear, or damage. Measure bearing journal diameters if any wear is visible. Intake and exhaust camshafts are different and must not be swapped.
   ⚠Camshafts are precision components. Even minor impact damage requires replacement.
7. 7

   Remove rocker arms and shafts (if equipped)
   If vehicle has rocker arm assembly (verify for your specific model year), remove rocker arm shaft bolts in sequence from ends toward center. Lift rocker arm assembly as complete unit. Keep rocker arms in order if reusing. Some 1.5T variants use direct-acting lifters without rocker arms; verify your engine configuration.
   Torque spec

   Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove all lifters/tappets
   Using magnetic pickup tool, carefully extract each hydraulic lifter from its bore in cylinder head. Keep lifters in numbered order (1-16) even if replacing all. Inspect lifter bores for scoring or damage. Clean each bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth. Measure lifter outside diameter and bore inside diameter to verify clearances are within specification (0.010-0.037mm).
   ⚠Lifters can be difficult to remove if stuck. Never pry on lifter body. Use proper removal tool or create suction with rubber-tipped tool.
9. 9

   Inspect cylinder head and valve train components
   Inspect all valve tips for wear patterns. Check valve spring retainers and keepers for damage. Inspect cylinder head lifter bores under strong light for scoring. Verify all oil passages are clear by spraying brake cleaner through galleries. If any damage is found, cylinder head may require machining or replacement.
   ℹ️This is the only opportunity to inspect these components. Document any wear patterns or unusual findings.
10. 10

    Prepare and install new lifters
    Unbox new lifters and inspect for shipping damage. Submerge each lifter in clean Honda 0W-20 engine oil for minimum 10 minutes. Prime each lifter by compressing plunger 10-15 times while submerged to remove air. Coat lifter exterior with assembly lube. Install each lifter into its corresponding bore, ensuring it slides freely and sits completely flush. Rotate each lifter to verify free movement.
    ⚠Air-locked lifters will cause immediate valve train noise and potential damage. Priming is mandatory.
11. 11

    Lubricate and install camshafts
    Coat all camshaft bearing journals and cam lobes liberally with engine assembly lube or Honda 0W-20. Verify engine is still at TDC. Install exhaust camshaft first, then intake camshaft, ensuring alignment pin grooves face upward and align with crankshaft position. Camshafts should rotate freely. Verify VTC actuator mounting surfaces are clean.
    ⚠️Camshaft timing must be exact. Verify alignment marks before installing bearing caps.
12. 12

    Install camshaft bearing caps in sequence
    Apply thin coat of engine oil to bearing cap surfaces. Install caps in original positions following orientation marks made during disassembly. Install bolts finger-tight in all caps first. Tighten bearing cap bolts in three complete passes: Pass 1 to 5 Nm, Pass 2 to 10 Nm, Pass 3 to final 14 Nm. Follow sequence from center outward (center caps first, then progressively toward chain end and rear). Verify camshafts rotate smoothly after each pass.
    ⚠️Incorrect torque or sequence will damage bearing caps or camshafts. Use calibrated torque wrench only.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall VTC actuators and cam position sensors
    Install new O-rings on VTC actuators lubricated with engine oil. Install actuators to camshafts, aligning dowel pins. Install camshaft position sensors with new O-rings. Torque all fasteners to specification.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall camshaft sprockets and verify timing
    Install alignment dowels in camshafts if removed. Align timing chain paint marks with sprocket marks. Install sprockets ensuring UP marks face upward and align with cylinder head top surface. Install and torque sprocket bolts while holding camshaft with holding tool. Rotate crankshaft 2 complete revolutions clockwise and verify timing marks realign perfectly at TDC. Remove timing chain keeper.
    ⚠️Verify timing alignment minimum THREE times by rotating engine through 2 complete revolutions. Incorrect timing will destroy engine immediately upon startup.
15. 15

    Check valve clearances
    With engine at TDC compression stroke cylinder #1, check valve clearances on cylinders 1 and 3 using feeler gauges. Rotate crankshaft 180° and check cylinders 4 and 2. Intake specification: 0.18-0.22mm, Exhaust: 0.23-0.27mm. New lifters should provide correct clearances, but verification is mandatory. Record all measurements.
    ⚠Incorrect valve clearances will cause noise, performance loss, or valve damage. Adjustment requires different thickness lifters.
16. 16

    Install valve cover assembly
    Install new spark plug tube seals into valve cover. Install new grommets on all valve cover bolts. Position new valve cover gasket ensuring all alignment pins seat properly. Carefully lower valve cover onto cylinder head, aligning all bolt holes. Install bolts finger-tight, then torque in sequence from center outward in 2-3 passes to final specification.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall upper engine mount and bracket, torque mounting bolts to specification
2. Install spark plugs with anti-seize on threads, torque to 18 Nm
3. Install ignition coils in correct cylinder positions
4. Reconnect all electrical connectors following documentation from disassembly
5. Install air cleaner assembly and intake duct
6. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 4.0 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil
7. Install engine cover
8. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• Perform initial startup procedure: Turn ignition on (engine off) for 5 seconds, off for 5 seconds, repeat 3 times to prime fuel system
• Start engine and immediately verify oil pressure light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds
• Listen for any abnormal valve train noise during first 30 seconds (some lifter noise is normal until oil pressure stabilizes)
• Allow engine to idle for 5 minutes, monitoring for oil leaks around valve cover
• Rev engine slowly to 3000 RPM and verify smooth operation without valve noise
• Check for proper VTC operation by monitoring engine response during throttle input
• Verify no check engine lights or codes related to camshaft position sensors
• Road test vehicle under light load, gradually increasing to full throttle after 10-15 minutes of operation
• Recheck oil level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Recheck valve cover bolt torque after engine reaches operating temperature and cools
• Monitor for any oil leaks or abnormal noises over first 100 miles of operation
• If persistent valve noise occurs beyond initial startup, verify lifter priming and valve clearances

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