Turbocharger

Complete removal and replacement of the turbocharger assembly on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L turbo engine, including all oil and coolant lines, exhaust connections, and heat shielding.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Turbocharger assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Turbo-to-manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Turbo-to-downpipe gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil feed line crush washers × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Oil return line gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold nuts (if corroded) × 8 — Use OEM specification
• Heat shield bolts (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant line sealing washers × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (minimum 3 hours after last operation)
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes
3. Raise vehicle and secure on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove engine under cover and splash shields
5. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
6. Partially drain coolant until level is below turbocharger coolant lines (approximately 2 quarts)
7. Apply penetrating oil to all exhaust fasteners and allow to soak while performing other preparation steps
8. Remove engine cover from top of engine bay
9. Disconnect air intake tube from turbocharger compressor inlet

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove heat shields and covers
   Remove the turbocharger heat shield bolts and carefully remove upper and lower heat shields. Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield. Note the orientation and location of all shields for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Heat Shield Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect electrical connections
   Disconnect the oxygen sensor electrical connector. Disconnect the wastegate actuator electrical connector from the turbocharger. Label all connections for proper reinstallation.
3. 3

   Remove oxygen sensor
   Using an oxygen sensor socket, remove the primary oxygen sensor from the exhaust manifold. Store in a safe location where the sensor tip will not be damaged.
   ⚠Oxygen sensor threads are easily damaged. Use proper oxygen sensor socket and do not cross-thread during reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect turbocharger oil feed line
   Position drain pan below oil feed line connection. Remove the banjo bolt securing the oil feed line to the top of the turbocharger. Immediately plug the turbocharger oil inlet to prevent debris entry. Discard old crush washers.
   ⚠Approximately 1-2 ounces of oil will drain from this connection. Have rags ready.
   Torque spec

   Oil Feed Line20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect turbocharger coolant lines
   Position drain pan below coolant line connections. Remove coolant inlet and outlet line fittings from the turbocharger center housing. Plug all openings immediately to prevent coolant loss and debris entry. Note the routing of lines for reinstallation.
   ⚠Coolant will continue to drain from these lines. Have additional drain capacity ready.
   Torque spec

   Coolant Line Fittings15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove oil return line
   From beneath the vehicle, locate the oil return line connection at the bottom of the turbocharger. Remove the bolts securing the oil return line to the turbocharger and engine block. Remove the line and gasket. Plug the turbocharger drain opening.
   ⚠Residual oil will drain from this connection. Position drain pan accordingly.
   Torque spec

   Oil Return Line10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Disconnect turbocharger from downpipe
   From beneath the vehicle, remove the three bolts connecting the turbocharger outlet to the catalytic converter/downpipe. Support the downpipe with wire or a suitable stand to prevent strain on exhaust hangers. Remove and discard the gasket.
   ℹ️These bolts may be extremely tight or corroded. Use penetrating oil and allow extra time if bolts are stubborn.
   Torque spec

   Turbo-to-Downpipe Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove turbocharger from exhaust manifold
   Remove the bolts/nuts securing the turbocharger to the exhaust manifold. There are typically 4 fasteners. Carefully separate the turbocharger from the manifold studs. Remove and discard the gasket. Inspect manifold studs for damage.
   ⚠If studs break during removal, they must be extracted before proceeding. This may add significant time to the repair.
   Torque spec

   Turbo-to-Manifold Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove turbocharger assembly
   Carefully maneuver the turbocharger assembly out of the engine bay. This may require removal from below the vehicle depending on available clearance. Inspect the exhaust manifold surface for warping or damage.
10. 10

    Prepare mounting surfaces
    Thoroughly clean all gasket surfaces on the exhaust manifold and downpipe using a gasket scraper and brake cleaner. Ensure no debris or old gasket material remains. Clean all bolt holes and threads. Inspect exhaust manifold studs and replace if damaged.
    ⚠Do not allow debris to fall into exhaust ports or turbocharger mounting locations.
11. 11

    Install new turbocharger to exhaust manifold
    Apply anti-seize compound to exhaust manifold studs/bolts per torque specification notes. Install new gasket onto exhaust manifold studs. Pre-fill turbocharger oil inlet with clean 0W-20 engine oil. Carefully position new turbocharger onto exhaust manifold studs and install fasteners hand-tight. Torque fasteners in a crisscross pattern working from hot side to cold side.
    ⚠Ensure turbocharger is properly seated on all studs before tightening any fasteners to prevent gasket damage.
    Torque spec

    Turbo-to-Manifold Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Connect turbocharger to downpipe
    Install new gasket between turbocharger outlet and downpipe. Align downpipe to turbocharger outlet and install bolts hand-tight. Apply anti-seize to bolt threads. Torque bolts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Turbo-to-Downpipe Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect oil return line
    Install new gasket on oil return line. Position oil return line to turbocharger and engine block. Install bolts and torque to specification. Verify line is not kinked or restricted.
    Torque spec

    Oil Return Line10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect coolant lines
    Install new sealing washers on coolant line fittings. Connect coolant inlet and outlet lines to turbocharger center housing, ensuring proper routing per original configuration. Torque fittings to specification.
    Torque spec

    Coolant Line Fittings15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect oil feed line
    Install new crush washers on both sides of the oil feed line banjo fitting. Connect oil feed line to turbocharger oil inlet. Install banjo bolt and torque to specification. Verify line routing does not contact heat shields or other components.
    ⚠Use only new crush washers. Reusing old washers will cause oil leaks.
    Torque spec

    Oil Feed Line20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Install oxygen sensor
    Apply anti-seize to oxygen sensor threads (avoid getting anti-seize on sensor tip). Thread oxygen sensor into exhaust manifold by hand, then torque to specification using oxygen sensor socket.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reinstall heat shields and connections
    Reinstall all heat shields in reverse order of removal, ensuring proper orientation. Torque heat shield bolts to specification. Reconnect wastegate actuator electrical connector and oxygen sensor electrical connector. Reinstall air intake tube to turbocharger compressor inlet.
    Torque spec

    Heat Shield Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 4 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 engine oil
2. Refill cooling system with Honda Type 2 Blue coolant and bleed air from system per Honda procedure
3. Reinstall engine under covers and splash shields
4. Reconnect negative battery terminal
5. Before starting engine, remove fuel pump fuse and crank engine for 10 seconds to prime turbocharger oil system
6. Reinstall fuel pump fuse and start engine

Verification

• With engine idling, inspect all turbocharger connections for oil, coolant, and exhaust leaks
• Check engine oil level and top off if necessary after initial run
• Verify no unusual noises from turbocharger (whining, grinding, or rattling indicates improper installation or turbo damage)
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify coolant level remains stable
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal boost operation and no check engine lights
• After test drive, re-inspect all connections for leaks with engine at operating temperature
• Verify engine oil level has not dropped, indicating proper oil return flow
• Clear any stored diagnostic codes and verify no new codes are present

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