Complete timing chain, tensioner, guides, and sprocket replacement on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L turbo engine, requiring front engine disassembly and precise timing alignment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain kit (includes chain, tensioner, guides, idler sprocket) × 1 — Use OEM Honda kit for 1.5L L15B7 engine
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover grommets/seals × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Honda 94109-14000
• Engine oil 0W-20 × 4 — Honda Genuine 0W-20
• Engine coolant × 1 — Honda Type 2 (Blue)
• RTV silicone sealant (Honda Bond HT) × 1 — Use Honda Bond HT or equivalent

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Drain engine coolant into appropriate container by opening radiator drain and lower radiator hose
4. Drain engine oil completely and note condition for metal contamination
5. Remove engine cover (pull upward to release clips)
6. Remove air intake assembly including air box, intake tube, and turbo inlet pipe
7. Remove drive belt by rotating tensioner clockwise and sliding belt off pulleys
8. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at proper lift points
9. Remove right front wheel and inner fender splash shield (multiple clips and bolts)
10. Install engine support fixture across engine bay or use hoist with load leveler to support engine weight

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Front Engine Mount and Accessories
   Unbolt and remove the right-side engine mount (3 bolts to bracket, 4 bolts to subframe). Remove the power steering pump mounting bolts and secure pump aside with wire without disconnecting hoses. Remove alternator mounting bolts and secure aside. Ensure engine support is bearing full weight before proceeding.
2. 2

   Remove Crankshaft Pulley
   Install crankshaft pulley holder tool to prevent rotation. Using breaker bar or impact wrench, remove crankshaft pulley bolt (turns counterclockwise). Remove pulley using two-jaw puller if needed - do not pry. Inspect pulley keyway and crankshaft nose for damage.
   ⚠Do not use impact wrench on reassembly for crankshaft bolt - use only torque wrench or hand tools to prevent over-torquing.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft pulley bolt117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove Valve Cover
   Disconnect ignition coil connectors (4 total), PCV hose, and breather hose from valve cover. Remove four ignition coils (10mm bolts). Disconnect any remaining vacuum lines and wiring clips. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside pattern). Carefully lift valve cover - it may be sealed with RTV. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   Torque spec

   Valve cover bolts10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove Timing Cover
   Disconnect crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor connectors. Remove water pump pulley (3 bolts). Remove timing cover bolts - note there are three different sizes: 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm bolts in specific locations. Mark bolt locations or reference service manual diagram. Carefully pry timing cover away from block using plastic pry points - do not damage sealing surfaces. Remove and discard timing cover gasket and front crankshaft seal.
5. 5

   Verify and Mark Timing Alignment
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using 19mm socket on crankshaft nose until cylinder 1 is at TDC compression stroke. Verify timing marks: camshaft sprocket mark aligned with cylinder head surface, crankshaft sprocket mark aligned with oil pump mark. Take clear photos. Install timing pins through camshaft sprocket holes and into cylinder head if available to lock position. Mark chain-to-sprocket relationship with paint pen on all three sprockets.
   ⚠️Do not proceed unless timing marks are perfectly aligned. Misalignment will cause engine damage.
6. 6

   Remove Timing Chain Tensioner and Guides
   Remove timing chain tensioner (single bolt on driver side of engine). Note that tensioner is spring-loaded and will extend when removed. Remove upper timing chain guide (two bolts). Remove timing chain slack guide (bolts accessible from front). Inspect all guides for wear grooves, cracks, or excessive plastic debris.
   ℹ️Timing chain tensioner cannot be reused even if it appears serviceable - replace with new unit from kit.
   Torque spec

   Chain guide bolts12 Nm (8.9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove Camshaft Sprockets and Timing Chain
   Remove cam phaser bolt from intake camshaft (left side) while holding camshaft stationary with 27mm wrench on hex section behind sprocket. Remove camshaft sprocket bolt from exhaust camshaft (right side) using same method. Carefully remove both sprockets and VTC actuator together with timing chain. Remove timing chain from crankshaft sprocket. Remove idler sprocket bolt and idler sprocket. Inspect crankshaft sprocket for wear and replace if needed.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft sprocket bolt (VTC actuator)56 Nm (41 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Inspect and Clean All Components
   Thoroughly clean all timing cover mating surfaces, cylinder head surface, and block surface using plastic scraper and brake cleaner. Remove all old RTV and gasket material - surfaces must be completely clean and dry. Inspect oil pump drive chain (internal, visible with cover removed) for wear. Inspect crankshaft and camshaft sprocket mounting surfaces for damage or scoring. Verify all new kit components match old parts exactly.
9. 9

   Install New Timing Chain Idler Sprocket and Guides
   Install new idler sprocket onto crankshaft with alignment mark visible. Torque idler sprocket bolt. Install new lower timing chain guide and torque bolts. Install new upper timing chain guide and torque bolts. Verify guides move freely and are properly seated in their mounting locations.
   Torque spec

   Chain guide bolts12 Nm (8.9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install New Timing Chain and Camshaft Sprockets
    Route new timing chain around crankshaft sprocket, then around idler sprocket. Feed chain up to camshaft area. Install exhaust camshaft sprocket (right side, smaller sprocket) onto camshaft while engaging timing chain, aligning timing mark. Install intake camshaft VTC actuator (left side) onto camshaft while engaging timing chain, aligning timing mark. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolt. Hold each camshaft with wrench on hex and torque sprocket bolts in sequence: exhaust cam sprocket bolt first, then intake cam phaser bolt. Verify all timing marks are perfectly aligned - crankshaft mark to oil pump, both cam sprockets to cylinder head surface.
    ⚠️Triple-check timing alignment before proceeding. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify marks realign perfectly at TDC.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft sprocket bolt (VTC actuator)56 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install New Timing Chain Tensioner
    Compress new timing chain tensioner and install retaining pin or clip to hold it compressed (small wire or clip provided with tensioner). Install tensioner onto engine and torque bolt. Remove retaining pin/clip to allow tensioner to apply pressure to chain. Verify tensioner rod extends smoothly and chain has proper tension with minimal slack. Manually rotate crankshaft clockwise two full revolutions and recheck timing marks alignment.
    ⚠Tensioner will forcefully extend when pin is removed - keep hands clear of moving parts.
12. 12

    Install New Timing Cover and Seal
    Install new front crankshaft seal into timing cover using seal driver - seal must be flush and square. Apply thin bead of Honda Bond HT RTV sealant to timing cover mating surface at block/head junction points and oil pump seams (refer to service manual for exact locations). Install new timing cover gasket onto block. Install timing cover and hand-tighten all bolts. Torque timing cover bolts in sequence from center outward: 10mm bolts first, then 8mm bolts, then 6mm bolts. Reconnect crankshaft and camshaft position sensors.
13. 13

    Install Crankshaft Pulley and External Components
    Clean crankshaft nose and verify keyway is undamaged. Install crankshaft pulley onto crankshaft, aligning keyway. Install crankshaft pulley bolt and use pulley holder tool to prevent rotation. Torque crankshaft pulley bolt to specification using torque wrench (not impact). Install water pump pulley and torque bolts. Reinstall alternator and power steering pump to their brackets with all bolts torqued to specification.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft pulley bolt117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install Valve Cover
    Install new valve cover gasket and grommets onto valve cover. Ensure all spark plug tube seals are properly seated. Apply small dab of RTV at camshaft cap corners if specified in service manual. Place valve cover onto cylinder head and install bolts hand-tight. Torque valve cover bolts in sequence from center outward. Install ignition coils with new seals and torque bolts. Reconnect all coil connectors, PCV hose, and breather hose.
    Torque spec

    Valve cover bolts10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final Reassembly and Fluid Service
    Install drive belt onto all pulleys and release tensioner. Reinstall right engine mount and torque all bolts. Remove engine support fixture. Reinstall inner fender splash shield and right front wheel. Lower vehicle. Reinstall air intake assembly and engine cover. Install new oil drain plug crush washer and torque drain plug. Fill engine with 4.0 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil. Refill cooling system with Honda Type 2 coolant, burp air from system. Reconnect negative battery terminal.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked - verify with gentle pull test
2. Double-check that no tools or rags were left in engine bay before starting
3. Verify all bolts are torqued to specification - do not rely on feel alone for critical fasteners
4. Check that drive belt is properly routed through all pulleys and not twisted

Verification

• Before first start: Remove all spark plugs and rotate engine by hand two complete revolutions to verify smooth rotation with no binding or interference
• Reinstall spark plugs and start engine - listen for normal startup with no unusual noises, rattles, or knocking
• Allow engine to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring for oil leaks at timing cover, valve cover, and drain plug
• Check for coolant leaks at all disturbed connections
• Verify check engine light does not illuminate - if codes are present, diagnose before driving
• Rev engine to 3000 RPM briefly (engine at operating temperature) and listen for timing chain noise - should be smooth and quiet
• Road test vehicle through normal acceleration and verify smooth power delivery with no misfires or hesitation
• After 50-100 miles, recheck oil level and inspect for any fluid leaks, retorque valve cover bolts if seepage is observed

More procedures for this vehicle