engine
Valve Springs - All
for 2017 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Expert
Time
6.0 h
Tools
13
Steps
16
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Complete replacement of all valve springs on the 1.5L turbocharged engine, requiring camshaft removal and valve train disassembly.
Warnings
⚠️Valve springs are under extreme tension. Improper compression or tool slippage can cause severe injury. Always wear eye protection and use proper valve spring compressor.
⚠️Engine must be at top dead center (TDC) with timing marks aligned before removing timing chain components. Incorrect timing will cause catastrophic engine damage.
⚠Camshaft caps MUST be installed in original positions and orientation. Mark caps during removal to prevent misassembly.
⚠Do not rotate crankshaft or camshafts independently once timing chain is removed. This will cause valve-to-piston contact.
ℹ️Keep all valve train components organized by cylinder and position for reassembly in original locations.
Tools required
Camshaft holding toolEssential
Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Engine support fixture or hoistEssential
Timing pin setEssential
Socket set (8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm)Essential
Clean lint-free ragsEssential
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Parts
- Valve springs (16 pieces) × 16 — Use OEM specification
- Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
- Camshaft cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing chain tensioner gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Engine oil × 1 — Honda Genuine 0W-20
- Anti-seize compound × 1 — Use OEM specification
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
Preparation
- Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
- Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for airbag system discharge
- Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front edge
- Drain engine oil completely and reinstall drain plug
- Support engine from below using jack with block of wood on oil pan edge
- Install engine support fixture across engine bay to support engine from above
- Label and photograph all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hose routing before disconnection
- Prepare clean workspace for valve train components with labeled containers for each cylinder
Procedure
- 1Remove intake and ignition componentsRemove air intake tube and airbox assembly. Disconnect ignition coil connectors and remove all four ignition coils. Remove spark plugs and store safely. Remove PCV hose and breather hoses from valve cover. Disconnect any wiring harness clips attached to valve cover.Torque specSpark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
- 2Remove valve coverRemove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (starting from outside, working inward). Carefully lift valve cover straight up to avoid damaging gasket surfaces. Remove old gasket and spark plug tube seals. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly with plastic scraper and brake cleaner.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 3Position engine at TDC cylinder #1Rotate crankshaft clockwise using crankshaft pulley bolt until timing marks on camshaft sprockets align with cylinder head surface (all lobes on #1 cylinder pointing upward). Verify TDC by checking that UP mark on camshaft sprocket aligns with pointer. Install timing pins if available to lock camshaft position.⚠Verify TDC position carefully. Incorrect positioning will cause timing chain misalignment during reassembly.
- 4Remove front engine mount and timing coverRemove right side engine mount while supporting engine with support fixture. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt (requires holding tool). Remove timing chain upper cover bolts and carefully remove cover. Mark timing chain to camshaft sprocket relationship with paint marker on three points.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
- 5Remove timing chain tensioner and guideRemove timing chain tensioner mounting bolts and carefully extract tensioner. Remove timing chain guide if it interferes with camshaft removal. Do NOT allow timing chain to fall into lower timing cover area.⚠Support timing chain with wire or zip tie to prevent it from dropping into crankcase.
- 6Remove camshaft sprockets and chainHold camshafts with holding tool. Remove camshaft sprocket bolts. Carefully slide sprockets off camshafts while supporting timing chain. Secure timing chain to prevent it from falling using wire tied to cylinder head. Mark chain position on sprockets for reassembly.⚠️Do not allow timing chain to drop into lower cover. If chain falls, oil pan removal may be required for retrieval.
- 7Remove camshaft caps and camshaftsMark each camshaft cap with cylinder number and position using paint marker (intake vs exhaust, position 1-5). Loosen camshaft cap bolts in reverse sequence (outward from center) in multiple passes, 1/4 turn at a time to gradually release valve spring pressure. Remove caps and store in order. Carefully lift camshafts straight up and store safely. Note any camshaft thrust clearance shims for reinstallation.⚠Loosen camshaft caps gradually and evenly. Uneven loosening can warp caps or damage camshaft journals.Torque specCamshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
- 8Remove rocker arms and shafts if equippedIf rocker arm assembly is present, loosen rocker arm shaft bolts evenly in sequence from ends toward center. Remove rocker shaft assembly as complete unit. Keep rocker arms organized by position for reassembly in original locations.Torque specRocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)Rocker Arm Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
- 9Compress and remove valve springsInstall valve spring compressor on first valve spring. Compress spring until valve keepers (collets) are accessible. Use magnetic pickup or small pliers to remove both valve keepers. Slowly release spring compressor and remove retainer, spring, and seat. Store all components labeled by cylinder and valve position. Repeat for all 16 valves (4 per cylinder, intake and exhaust).⚠️Ensure valve spring compressor is properly seated before applying pressure. Tool slippage can cause severe injury.⚠Keep valve keepers secure. Dropped keepers are extremely difficult to retrieve from engine bay.
- 10Inspect valves and guidesWith springs removed, inspect each valve stem for wear, scoring, or damage. Check valve guides for excessive wear by attempting to wiggle valve stems laterally. Inspect valve seats for pitting or burning. Replace any damaged valves or have valve job performed if seats are compromised. Clean all carbon deposits from valve stems and combustion chambers.ℹ️This is the ideal time to perform valve lapping or professional valve seat machining if needed.
- 11Install new valve springsInstall new valve spring seat on valve guide. Place new valve spring over seat with closer-wound coils toward cylinder head (verify spring orientation per service manual). Install valve spring retainer. Compress new spring using valve spring compressor. Install both valve keepers into valve stem groove, ensuring they seat fully in retainer. Slowly release compressor while verifying keepers remain seated. Tap valve stem tip gently with plastic mallet to ensure keepers are locked. Repeat for all 16 valves.⚠️Verify valve keepers are fully seated before releasing compressor. Improperly seated keepers will launch retainer when engine starts.⚠Install valve springs with correct orientation. Reversed springs may cause coil bind at high RPM.
- 12Reinstall rocker arms and lubricateIf rocker arm assembly was removed, install rocker arms in original positions on shafts. Apply clean engine oil to all rocker arm contact surfaces, shaft journals, and valve stem tips. Install rocker shaft assembly, ensuring alignment pins engage properly. Tighten rocker shaft bolts evenly in sequence to specification.Torque specRocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)Rocker Arm Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
- 13Reinstall camshaftsThoroughly lubricate all camshaft journals and lobes with clean engine oil. Install camshafts in correct positions (intake and exhaust are different). Verify camshaft timing marks face upward. Apply clean engine oil to camshaft cap journals. Install camshaft caps in original positions and orientation (marks face toward intake side). Hand-tighten all cap bolts. Tighten camshaft cap bolts in sequence from center outward in multiple passes (1/3 torque, 2/3 torque, final torque) to specification.⚠Camshaft caps are not interchangeable. Installing in wrong position will cause immediate engine failure.Torque specCamshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
- 14Reinstall timing chain and sprocketsVerify camshafts are at TDC position with timing marks aligned. Install camshaft sprockets onto camshafts, aligning timing chain marks made during removal. Install sprocket bolts and tighten while holding camshafts with holding tool. Install timing chain guide and tensioner with new gasket. Release tensioner mechanism to apply proper chain tension. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify timing marks realign at TDC.⚠️Incorrect timing chain installation will cause catastrophic valve-to-piston contact. Triple-check timing marks before proceeding.
- 15Reinstall timing cover and valve coverClean all gasket surfaces. Install new timing cover gasket and cover, tightening bolts to specification. Reinstall crankshaft pulley and tighten bolt to specification. Install new valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. Apply small bead of Honda Bond or RTV to corners where camshaft caps meet cylinder head. Install valve cover and tighten bolts in sequence from center outward to specification. Reinstall engine mount.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)Gasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
- 16Reinstall ignition system and finalizeApply anti-seize compound to spark plug threads. Install spark plugs and tighten to specification. Install ignition coils and tighten bolts. Connect ignition coil connectors. Reinstall all vacuum hoses, breather hoses, and PCV connections. Reconnect all wiring harness clips. Install air intake system. Remove engine support fixture.Torque specSpark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reconnect negative battery cable
- Refill engine with 4.0 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil
- Verify all fasteners are tightened to proper torque specifications
- Double-check that no tools or rags remain in engine bay
- Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
Verification
- Before starting engine, manually rotate crankshaft two full revolutions by hand using crankshaft pulley bolt to verify no valve-to-piston interference and smooth rotation
- Check that timing marks realign perfectly at TDC after two crankshaft rotations
- Start engine and listen for unusual valve train noise, ticking, or knocking. Engine should run smoothly at idle
- Inspect for oil leaks around valve cover, timing cover, and camshaft cap areas during first 5 minutes of operation
- Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature and verify no Check Engine Light illuminates
- Perform road test under light load, monitoring for unusual noises or performance issues
- Recheck oil level after 10-minute run time and top off if necessary
- Inspect valve cover and timing cover areas for leaks after engine cools, retorque valve cover bolts if seepage is observed