Timing Chain

Complete replacement of the timing chain, tensioner, guides, and related components on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L turbocharged engine, including valve timing synchronization.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Timing chain kit (includes chain, tensioner, guides) × 1 — Use OEM Honda kit for 1.5L turbo
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft oil seal(s) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — 0W-20 Honda Genuine
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant (if draining) × 1 — Honda Type 2 Blue
• RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Honda Bond HT or equivalent

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface, engage parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on clips
4. Drain engine oil completely and replace drain plug with new crush washer
5. Drain coolant from radiator and engine block if coolant hoses interfere with timing cover access
6. Remove intake air duct and air filter housing assembly
7. Label and disconnect all electrical connectors from valve cover (ignition coils, VVT solenoid, camshaft position sensor)
8. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs
9. Support engine from above using engine support fixture or from below with floor jack and wood block under oil pan
10. Remove passenger side engine mount to gain access to timing cover area
11. Take detailed photos of all timing marks and chain routing before disassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve cover assembly
   Disconnect PCV hoses and breather tubes from valve cover. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to center pattern). Carefully lift valve cover away from cylinder head. If stuck, gently tap with rubber mallet - do not pry against sealing surfaces. Remove old gasket material and inspect valve cover for warping.
2. 2

   Remove accessory drive belt and crankshaft pulley
   Rotate tensioner pulley to release tension and remove accessory drive belt. Using crankshaft holding tool or having assistant apply brake pedal with vehicle in gear, loosen crankshaft pulley bolt (counterclockwise). This bolt is extremely tight - may require breaker bar or impact wrench. Remove bolt and pulley from crankshaft. Inspect pulley keyway and crankshaft nose for damage.
   ⚠Ensure engine cannot rotate while loosening crankshaft pulley bolt. Engine rotation can cause injury or damage.
3. 3

   Remove timing cover
   Disconnect crankshaft position sensor electrical connector. Remove all timing cover bolts, noting different lengths and diameters (6mm, 8mm, and 10mm bolts in specific locations). Carefully separate timing cover from engine block and cylinder head. You may need to gently tap with plastic mallet. Do not pry against gasket surfaces. Remove old gasket material and RTV from both timing cover and engine block mating surfaces using plastic scraper.
   Torque spec

   Timing Cover Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Verify and mark timing positions
   Rotate crankshaft to Top Dead Center (TDC) for cylinder #1. Verify timing marks: crankshaft sprocket mark aligns with mark on engine block, camshaft sprocket marks align with cylinder head surface or designated marks. Use paint pen or marker to mark chain links at sprocket timing marks. Take multiple reference photos from different angles. Count and record chain links between timing marks as backup reference.
   ⚠️This is the critical step for preventing engine damage. Do not proceed until you are absolutely certain of correct timing mark positions and have documented them thoroughly.
5. 5

   Remove timing chain tensioner
   Locate timing chain tensioner on right side of engine. Remove tensioner mounting bolt and carefully extract tensioner assembly. Inspect tensioner for wear, scoring, or oil leaks. The tensioner should move smoothly when compressed. Keep tensioner upright to prevent air intrusion into hydraulic components.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing chain guides and idler sprocket
   Remove upper and lower timing chain guide bolts. Carefully remove guides from engine. Remove idler sprocket bolt (if equipped on this engine configuration) and idler sprocket. Inspect all guides for wear grooves, cracks, or plastic deterioration. Any guide showing wear should be replaced even if not included in initial parts order.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove camshaft sprockets and timing chain
   Using camshaft holding wrench on the hex portion of each camshaft, loosen and remove camshaft sprocket bolts. DO NOT allow camshafts to rotate during this process. Remove both camshaft sprockets. Remove VVT actuator/cam phaser bolts if separate from sprockets, again holding camshaft stationary. Carefully lift timing chain off crankshaft sprocket and remove from engine. Inspect crankshaft sprocket for wear; replace if teeth show hooking or wear patterns.
   ⚠Do not allow camshafts to rotate once sprockets are removed. Valves may contact pistons if camshafts move out of position.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Sprocket Bolts80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Inspect and prepare components for installation
   Thoroughly clean all timing chain contact surfaces. Inspect crankshaft and camshaft sprocket teeth for wear or damage. Check timing chain guides mounting surfaces for cracks. Verify new timing chain matches old chain in length and link count. Prepare new tensioner by compressing it in a vise slowly and inserting retaining pin through holes to lock it in compressed position. Apply clean engine oil to new timing chain, sprockets, and guide contact surfaces.
   ℹ️The tensioner must be compressed slowly over 2-3 minutes to prevent air from becoming trapped in the hydraulic chamber.
9. 9

   Install new timing chain and guides
   Install lower timing chain guide and tighten bolts to specification. Install idler sprocket (if equipped) and tighten bolt to specification. Route new timing chain around crankshaft sprocket, ensuring any directional markings on chain face the front of engine. Install upper timing chain guide loosely. Route chain up to camshaft sprocket positions, ensuring chain has no twists and follows same path as original.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install camshaft sprockets with timing alignment
    Verify crankshaft is still at TDC. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to camshaft sprocket bolts and VVT actuator/cam phaser bolts. Install camshaft sprockets and VVT actuators onto camshafts, aligning timing marks exactly as documented in step 4. Verify chain links align with your marked reference points. Using camshaft holding wrench on hex portion of camshaft, tighten camshaft sprocket bolts and cam phaser bolts to specification. Recheck all timing marks after tightening.
    ⚠️Verify all timing marks are correctly aligned before tightening. Cross-reference with service manual diagrams and your photos.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Sprocket Bolts80 Nm (59 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install timing chain tensioner
    Verify timing chain has proper tension around all guides and sprockets. Tighten upper timing chain guide bolts to specification. Install new timing chain tensioner with retaining pin still in place. Tighten tensioner bolt to specification. Carefully remove retaining pin from tensioner to apply tension to chain. You should feel resistance and hear/feel the tensioner engage. Verify chain has proper tension by checking for excessive slack.
    Torque spec

    Timing Chain Tensioner25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Perform timing verification test
    Manually rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front) two complete revolutions using socket on crankshaft bolt. Rotation should be smooth without binding. Return to TDC and verify all timing marks align exactly as before. If any marks are off, timing chain installation is incorrect - remove tensioner, recheck sprocket positions, and verify chain routing. Repeat verification until marks align perfectly after two full rotations.
    ⚠️Do not proceed to timing cover installation until timing marks align correctly after two full crankshaft rotations. Incorrect timing will destroy the engine.
13. 13

    Install new crankshaft front seal and timing cover
    Install new crankshaft front seal into timing cover using seal driver or appropriately sized socket. Seal should be flush or slightly recessed. Clean all old gasket material and RTV from timing cover and engine block surfaces. Apply thin bead of Honda Bond HT or equivalent RTV to timing cover in areas specified by service manual (typically around coolant passages and corners). Install new timing cover gasket. Carefully position timing cover onto engine, ensuring crankshaft seal slides over crankshaft nose without damage. Install all timing cover bolts finger-tight, then tighten in sequence from center outward: 6mm bolts to 10 Nm, 8mm bolts to 25 Nm, 10mm bolts to 45 Nm.
    Torque spec

    Timing Cover Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install crankshaft pulley and accessory components
    Clean crankshaft nose and pulley bore. Align pulley keyway with crankshaft key and slide pulley onto crankshaft. Install crankshaft pulley bolt and tighten to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) while preventing engine rotation. If bolt is torque-to-yield (TTY), follow additional angle specifications from service manual. Reinstall crankshaft position sensor and tighten to specification. Connect electrical connector. Install accessory drive belt following routing diagram.
15. 15

    Install valve cover and final reassembly
    Install new valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. Apply small amount of RTV at camshaft cap corners where specified. Position valve cover onto cylinder head. Install valve cover bolts and tighten in sequence from center outward in three passes to 10 Nm. Reinstall spark plugs to specification. Install ignition coils and connect all electrical connectors (VVT solenoid, camshaft position sensor, ignition coils). Reconnect PCV hoses and breather tubes. Reinstall engine mount. Remove engine support fixture or jack. Reinstall air filter housing and intake duct. Fill engine with fresh 0W-20 oil (4 quarts). Refill coolant if drained. Reconnect battery negative terminal.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all components in reverse order of removal, using new gaskets and seals
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated with locking tabs engaged
3. Double-check that no tools or rags were left in engine compartment
4. Verify accessory drive belt is properly routed and tensioned

Verification

• Perform final visual inspection of all work areas, verifying all bolts are installed and torqued
• With spark plugs removed, manually rotate engine through several complete revolutions to verify smooth operation and proper timing
• Reinstall spark plugs, then start engine and verify it starts normally without unusual noises
• Allow engine to idle and listen for timing chain noise, valve train noise, or oil pressure warning lights
• Check for oil leaks around valve cover, timing cover, and crankshaft seal
• Check for coolant leaks if cooling system was opened
• Verify VVT system operation by monitoring for check engine lights related to cam timing
• Test drive vehicle and monitor for proper engine performance, smooth idle, and normal power delivery
• Recheck oil level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Clear any diagnostic codes that may have set during repair, then verify no codes return

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