engine
Oil Pump
for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years
Difficulty
Expert
Time
6.0 h
Tools
16
Steps
14
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Replace the oil pump on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo engine, requiring timing chain and front cover removal to access the pump assembly.
Warnings
⚠️This procedure requires precise timing chain alignment. Engine damage will occur if timing is incorrect during reassembly.
⚠️Never rotate the engine with timing chain removed. Valve-to-piston contact will occur.
⚠Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work. Hot oil and coolant can cause severe burns.
⚠The timing chain tensioner must be properly retracted and locked before installation or it may release unexpectedly.
ℹ️Honda special tools are required for this procedure. Substitute tools may cause engine damage or timing errors.
Tools required
Hydraulic floor jack and jack standsEssential
Wheel chocksEssential
Metric socket set (8mm-19mm)Essential
Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Crankshaft pulley holder toolEssential
Oil filter wrenchEssential
Engine support fixture or hoistEssential
Gasket scraper (plastic)Essential
Seal driver setEssential
Oil drain pan (6+ quart capacity)Essential
Breaker barEssential
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Parts
- Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pump O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing chain tensioner gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-14000
- Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Accessory drive belt × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Honda Bond HT (liquid gasket) × 1 — 08718-0004
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Fluids
- Honda Genuine 0W-20 — 4 qt
- Honda Type 2 Coolant (Blue) — 1 qt
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
- Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for SRS system to discharge.
- Remove engine cover by pulling upward on the four corners to release clips.
- Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter. Install drain plug with new crush washer finger-tight for now.
- Drain coolant from radiator petcock and lower radiator hose (coolant will need to be drained from block during procedure).
- Remove front wheels and plastic engine undercovers.
- Install engine support fixture across engine bay or attach engine hoist to lifting eyes on engine.
Procedure
- 1Remove accessory drive belt and componentsRelease tensioner and remove accessory drive belt. Remove drive belt auto-tensioner mounting bolts and tensioner. Remove alternator mounting bolts and position alternator aside without disconnecting electrical connections. Remove A/C compressor mounting bolts and secure compressor aside without disconnecting refrigerant lines.
- 2Remove right-side engine mountSupport engine with fixture or hoist. Remove right-side engine mount bracket bolts from engine and frame. Remove the engine mount assembly to gain access to timing cover area. Keep track of all mounting hardware and brackets.Torque specMounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
- 3Remove valve cover and set engine to TDCRemove ignition coils and spark plugs. Remove valve cover bolts and carefully lift off valve cover. Rotate crankshaft clockwise using bolt on crankshaft pulley until No. 1 piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke. Verify timing marks on camshaft sprockets align with marks on timing cover and crankshaft pulley mark aligns with TDC indicator. Take photos of all timing mark positions.⚠️Critical timing alignment point. Document all timing mark positions before proceeding.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 4Remove crankshaft pulley and timing coverInstall crankshaft holder tool to prevent rotation. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt (reverse thread) and remove pulley. Remove timing cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outer bolts first, then inner). Carefully pry timing cover away from engine block using plastic pry points. Clean all RTV sealant from mating surfaces on block and cover.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 5Lock camshafts and remove timing chainInstall Honda camshaft holding tool (07AAA-RWCA100) to lock both camshafts in position. Remove timing chain tensioner bolts and carefully remove tensioner (note spring orientation). Remove timing chain guide bolts. Remove camshaft sprocket bolts while holding camshafts with special tool. Remove timing chain and sprockets as an assembly. Mark chain direction for reference.⚠️Do not rotate crankshaft or camshafts with chain removed. Valve damage will occur.Torque specGasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
- 6Remove oil panRemove all oil pan bolts in crisscross pattern from outside to center. Use plastic pry tool to carefully separate oil pan from block at designated pry points. Lower oil pan and drain any remaining oil. Clean all gasket material and RTV from oil pan and block mating surfaces using plastic scraper. Inspect oil pan for cracks or damage.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 7Remove oil pump pickup tube and strainerRemove oil pump pickup tube mounting bolts from inside the engine block. Carefully withdraw the pickup tube and strainer assembly. Inspect strainer screen for debris or damage. Clean strainer thoroughly if reusing, or replace with new pump assembly.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 8Remove oil pump assemblyRemove all oil pump mounting bolts from front of engine block. The oil pump is chain-driven from the crankshaft. Carefully pull oil pump assembly straight out from engine block, keeping it level to avoid binding. Remove and discard oil pump O-ring from block. Inspect crankshaft oil pump drive sprocket for wear or damage.⚠Oil pump must be removed straight out to avoid damaging alignment dowels or pump housing.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 9Install new oil pumpInstall new O-ring on engine block oil pump mounting surface, lightly lubricating with clean engine oil. Apply thin coat of clean engine oil to oil pump gears. Align oil pump with crankshaft drive sprocket and carefully slide pump into block, ensuring proper engagement with drive sprocket. Verify pump seats flush against block. Install oil pump bolts and torque in crisscross pattern.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 10Install oil pump pickup tube and oil panInstall new or cleaned oil pump pickup tube with new O-ring. Torque pickup tube bolts to specification. Apply thin bead of Honda Bond HT liquid gasket to oil pan mating surface on engine block (3mm bead around all bolt holes and sealing surface). Install new oil pan gasket or use liquid gasket per Honda specifications. Install oil pan within 5 minutes of gasket application and torque bolts in crisscross pattern from center outward.ℹ️Oil pan must be installed within 5 minutes of liquid gasket application. Do not start engine for at least 30 minutes after installation.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 11Install timing chain and componentsVerify crankshaft is still at TDC. Install timing chain guides and torque bolts to specification. Route timing chain around crankshaft sprocket and install camshaft sprockets with chain, ensuring timing marks align precisely with marks documented earlier. Install camshaft sprocket bolts while holding camshafts with special tool. Compress timing chain tensioner using tensioner tool, lock with pin, and install tensioner with new gasket. Remove locking pin to apply tension. Remove camshaft holding tool and manually rotate engine two complete revolutions clockwise. Re-verify all timing marks align at TDC.⚠️Timing marks must align exactly. Rotate engine two full turns and re-check before proceeding.Torque specGasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
- 12Install timing cover and crankshaft pulleyClean timing cover and block mating surfaces thoroughly. Apply Honda Bond HT liquid gasket in continuous 3mm bead around timing cover mating surface, circling all bolt holes. Install new front crankshaft seal into timing cover using seal driver. Install timing cover within 5 minutes, aligning dowel pins. Install timing cover bolts and torque in specified sequence from center outward, using 8mm bolts. Install crankshaft pulley and torque pulley bolt (reverse thread).ℹ️Follow Honda tightening sequence exactly for timing cover bolts to prevent oil leaks.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 13Reinstall valve cover and engine componentsClean valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces. Install new valve cover gasket. Install valve cover and torque bolts in sequence from center outward. Install spark plugs and ignition coils. Reinstall right-side engine mount and torque all mounting bolts. Install alternator, A/C compressor, drive belt tensioner, and drive belt. Remove engine support fixture.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
- 14Refill fluids and final checksTorque oil drain plug with new crush washer. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 4.0 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil. Refill cooling system with Honda Type 2 coolant. Reconnect battery negative cable. Start engine and immediately verify oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 3-5 seconds. Allow engine to idle and monitor for leaks at oil pan, timing cover, and oil pump areas. Check oil level and add if necessary.⚠If oil pressure light does not extinguish within 5 seconds, shut off engine immediately and investigate.Torque specOil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Wait at least 30 minutes after liquid gasket application before starting engine to allow proper curing.
- Double-check that all timing marks align correctly at TDC before final startup.
- Verify all electrical connections to alternator, sensors, and ignition coils are secure.
- Reinstall engine undercovers and front wheels, torquing lug nuts to specification.
Verification
- Start engine and verify oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 3-5 seconds of startup.
- Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature and verify no oil leaks from oil pan, timing cover, or oil pump area.
- Check engine oil level on dipstick with engine off and add oil if necessary to reach proper level.
- Listen for any abnormal timing chain noise or rattling that would indicate timing or tensioner issues.
- Test drive vehicle and verify normal engine operation with no warning lights or unusual noises.
- Re-check oil level and inspect for leaks after test drive and overnight sitting period.