Timing Chain Tensioner

Replace the timing chain tensioner on the 1.5L turbocharged engine to restore proper timing chain tension and eliminate chain noise or timing issues.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain tensioner assembly × 1 — Use OEM Honda part number
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover grommets and spark plug tube seals × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft pulley bolt (recommended replacement) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — 0W-20 oil

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold and vehicle is on level ground
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for airbag system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on all four corners
4. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
5. Drain coolant from radiator drain plug and lower radiator hose
6. Remove front wheels and right front wheel well liner for access
7. Support engine from below with jack and wood block on oil pan rail (not center of pan)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove accessory drive components
   Remove the accessory drive belt by rotating the tensioner clockwise and sliding belt off pulleys. Remove the drive belt auto-tensioner. Tag and disconnect any electrical connectors at the alternator, then remove the alternator mounting bolts and set alternator aside without disconnecting battery cable (if still connected at alternator).
2. 2

   Remove right engine mount
   Support the engine weight with the jack from below. Remove the right engine mount bracket bolts and the mount-to-frame bolts. Carefully remove the engine mount assembly to provide clearance for timing cover removal. Do not allow engine to shift position significantly.
3. 3

   Remove crankshaft pulley
   Install the crankshaft pulley holder tool to prevent rotation. Use a breaker bar to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt (turns counterclockwise). Remove the bolt completely, then pull the crankshaft pulley straight off the crankshaft snout. Inspect the pulley keyway for damage.
4. 4

   Remove valve cover
   Disconnect the ignition coil connectors and PCV hose. Remove the four ignition coils by removing their mounting bolts and pulling straight up. Remove all valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside pattern). Carefully lift valve cover off, tapping gently with plastic mallet if stuck. Remove old gasket material.
5. 5

   Remove timing chain cover
   Remove all timing cover bolts, noting locations of different length bolts and the 8mm bolts. There are approximately 17 bolts of varying sizes around the perimeter. Carefully pry the timing cover away from the block using plastic pry tools only at designated pry points. Do not damage sealing surfaces. Remove the old gasket and clean all RTV residue from block and cover surfaces.
   ⚠Do not use metal tools to pry cover off. Damaged sealing surfaces will cause oil leaks.
6. 6

   Rotate engine to TDC compression stroke cylinder 1
   Rotate the crankshaft clockwise using a socket on the crankshaft snout bolt location until the timing marks align: the crankshaft sprocket timing mark aligns with the pointer on the block, the intake camshaft sprocket UP mark points upward and aligns with the cylinder head surface, and the exhaust camshaft sprocket timing marks align with the head surface. Verify piston 1 is at true TDC by confirming both cam lobes for cylinder 1 point outward.
   ⚠️Verify TDC position three times before proceeding. Incorrect positioning will result in engine damage.
7. 7

   Remove timing chain tensioner
   Locate the timing chain tensioner on the right side of the engine block. Remove the tensioner mounting bolt. Carefully pull the tensioner assembly straight out from the block. Inspect the old tensioner for wear, scoring on the plunger, or lack of spring tension. The new tensioner will arrive with a pin or clip holding the plunger compressed.
   ⚠Do not allow timing chain to slip on sprockets during tensioner removal. Mark chain-to-sprocket positions with paint marker if needed.
8. 8

   Inspect timing chain and guides
   With tensioner removed, inspect the timing chain for wear, stretched links, or damaged rollers. Check both timing chain guide rails for scoring, wear grooves, or cracks. If guides show significant wear (grooves deeper than 1mm), they should be replaced now. Verify the chain has not jumped teeth by rechecking all timing marks.
   ℹ️This is the only opportunity to inspect chain guides without complete disassembly. Address any wear issues now.
9. 9

   Install new timing chain tensioner
   Verify the new tensioner has its retaining pin or clip installed and plunger is fully compressed. Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the tensioner plunger. Insert the tensioner into the block bore, ensuring it seats fully and aligns with the bolt hole. Install the tensioner bolt and torque to specification. Do NOT remove the retaining pin yet.
   ⚠Keep tensioner pin installed until timing cover is reinstalled and all timing marks are verified.
10. 10

    Install timing chain cover with new gasket
    Install the new timing cover gasket onto the block, ensuring all alignment dowels engage properly. Apply a small bead of Honda Bond HT or equivalent RTV sealant at the cylinder head-to-block mating corners (4 locations). Position the timing cover carefully onto the block and start all bolts by hand. Tighten the 8mm bolts first in the specified sequence to 25 Nm, then tighten all remaining bolts to 13 Nm in a crisscross pattern from center outward.
    ℹ️Do not over-tighten timing cover bolts. The cover is aluminum and threads strip easily.
11. 11

    Release timing chain tensioner
    Through the access port in the timing cover or using the designated release method, remove the tensioner retaining pin or clip. You should hear or feel the tensioner spring engage and apply pressure to the timing chain. Gently rotate the crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify all timing marks realign perfectly at TDC.
    ⚠️If timing marks do not realign after two rotations, STOP immediately. Disassemble and verify tensioner installation and chain routing.
12. 12

    Reinstall crankshaft pulley
    Clean the crankshaft snout and pulley bore. Install the crankshaft pulley, ensuring the keyway aligns properly. Install the new or cleaned crankshaft pulley bolt. Using the holder tool, torque the crankshaft pulley bolt to 167 Nm (124 lb-ft). Verify the pulley does not wobble and is fully seated.
13. 13

    Reinstall valve cover
    Install the new valve cover gasket and grommets onto the valve cover. Ensure all spark plug tube seals are properly seated. Position the valve cover onto the cylinder head and install all bolts hand-tight. Torque the valve cover bolts to 10 Nm in the specified sequence (center outward, alternating pattern). Reinstall the ignition coils with their mounting bolts. Reconnect all electrical connectors and the PCV hose.
14. 14

    Reinstall remaining components
    Reinstall the right engine mount and torque mounting bolts per specification. Reinstall the alternator and reconnect electrical connections. Install the drive belt auto-tensioner and route the accessory drive belt properly. Install the wheel well liner and front wheels. Remove the engine support jack.
15. 15

    Refill fluids and verify operation
    Install a new oil filter and refill engine with 4.0 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil. Refill coolant system with Honda Type 2 (blue) coolant. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and verify no oil leaks at timing cover or valve cover. Listen for abnormal timing chain noise. Allow engine to reach operating temperature and recheck fluid levels. Clear any diagnostic codes if present.
    ⚠Monitor oil pressure immediately upon startup. If pressure does not build within 3-5 seconds, shut down immediately.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in the order presented
2. Use new gaskets for timing cover and valve cover - do not reuse old gaskets
3. Verify timing marks align correctly after two full crankshaft rotations before final reassembly
4. Apply RTV sealant only at cylinder head-to-block corners on timing cover installation
5. Ensure tensioner retaining pin is removed only after timing cover is fully installed

Verification

• Start engine and listen for timing chain noise - should be smooth and quiet
• Verify no oil leaks at timing cover perimeter or valve cover after 10 minutes of running
• Check engine oil level after engine reaches operating temperature and shut down for 5 minutes
• Verify coolant level is correct and no leaks are present
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes - none should be present related to camshaft/crankshaft correlation
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth acceleration with no hesitation or unusual engine noise
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and verify no new leaks have developed

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