Complete removal and reinstallation of the 1.5L turbocharged engine from a 2016-2021 Honda Civic, including disconnection of all accessories, mounts, and drivetrain components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-14000 or equivalent
• Engine coolant × 1 — Honda Type 2 Blue coolant
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Honda 0W-20 genuine oil
• Transmission-to-engine gasket/seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine mount hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification if replacing

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Position vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable, then positive cable, and remove battery and battery tray
3. Remove engine cover and front bumper cover for access
4. Raise and support vehicle securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove front wheels and splash shields to access lower engine components
6. Drain engine coolant completely from radiator drain and lower radiator hose
7. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stalls
9. Label all electrical connectors, vacuum hoses, and coolant hoses with tape or labels

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove intake and exhaust systems
   Disconnect air intake system from turbocharger inlet. Remove charge air cooler piping and hoses. Disconnect exhaust downpipe from turbocharger outlet and catalytic converter. Support exhaust system and remove exhaust manifold heat shields. Remove exhaust manifold from cylinder head, working from the coolest bolt (furthest from turbo) to the hottest. Apply penetrating oil if needed.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect fuel and cooling systems
   Using fuel line disconnect tools, separate fuel supply and return lines at the fuel rail connections. Cap open fuel lines immediately. Disconnect upper and lower radiator hoses, heater hoses at firewall, and all coolant hoses to engine including turbocharger coolant lines. Remove radiator cooling fans and radiator assembly as a unit for clearance.
3. 3

   Remove accessory drive components
   Release serpentine belt tensioner and remove accessory drive belt. Disconnect electrical connector from alternator and remove alternator mounting bolts, then remove alternator. Disconnect AC compressor electrical connector, remove AC compressor mounting bolts, and secure compressor aside without disconnecting refrigerant lines. If equipped with power steering pump (non-EPS), remove pump mounting bolts and secure aside.
   Torque spec

   Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

   AC Compressor Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect engine electrical systems
   Disconnect engine wiring harness main connectors at firewall and fender area. Remove starter motor electrical connections and mounting bolts, then remove starter. Disconnect all remaining sensors including oxygen sensors, knock sensor, camshaft/crankshaft position sensors, oil pressure switch, coolant temperature sensors, and throttle body connector. Disconnect ground straps from engine to chassis.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission securely with transmission jack. Remove upper transmission-to-engine bolts that are accessible from engine bay. From underneath vehicle, disconnect shift linkage/cables and electrical connectors from transmission. Remove lower transmission-to-engine bolts. On CVT models, mark torque converter-to-flywheel position and remove torque converter bolts through access cover. On manual transmission models, remove clutch slave cylinder without disconnecting hydraulic line. Carefully separate transmission from engine, ensuring torque converter (if CVT) stays with transmission.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Disconnect drivetrain components
   Remove both front axle shaft nuts. Using appropriate puller or pry technique, separate both axle shafts from transmission and support out of the way. On AWD models, remove propeller shaft and disconnect rear driveline. Disconnect any remaining drivetrain components that would interfere with engine removal.
7. 7

   Remove engine mount assemblies
   Install engine support bar across engine bay to support engine weight from above, or attach engine hoist with chains to engine lifting eyes. Remove passenger side engine mount first by removing mount-to-frame bolts, then mount-to-engine bracket bolts. Remove driver side engine mount assembly in same sequence. Remove rear engine mount and torque rod/damper assembly. Remove front engine mount last, noting orientation of all mount hardware.
   Torque spec

   Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)

   Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Final inspection and engine lift
   Perform final walk-around inspection to verify all hoses, wires, cables, and fasteners are disconnected from engine. Double-check that transmission is properly supported and separated. Attach engine hoist with lifting chains or straps to front and rear engine lifting eyes, adjusting leveler to keep engine approximately level. Slowly raise engine while guiding it forward and upward, watching for any remaining connections. Tilt engine as needed to clear radiator support, brake master cylinder, and firewall. Once clear of vehicle, lower onto engine stand if rebuilding, or secure on wooden blocks if reinstalling same engine.
9. 9

   Engine installation preparation
   If reinstalling engine, inspect and replace all worn or damaged components while engine is out. Install new exhaust manifold gasket and apply anti-seize to manifold studs. Inspect and replace transmission-to-engine seal/gasket. Clean all mating surfaces thoroughly. Attach engine to hoist and position at appropriate angle for installation into engine bay.
10. 10

    Lower engine into vehicle
    With transmission properly supported and positioned, carefully lower engine into bay, tilting as needed to clear firewall and radiator support. Align engine with transmission input shaft (manual) or torque converter pilot (CVT), using transmission jack to fine-tune alignment. Slowly bring engine and transmission together, ensuring proper engagement. Install upper transmission-to-engine bolts finger tight first to align components.
11. 11

    Install transmission-to-engine fasteners
    Install all transmission-to-engine bolts and tighten to specification in a cross pattern. On CVT models, rotate crankshaft to access torque converter bolt holes and install converter bolts to flywheel using marked positions. On manual transmission models, reinstall clutch slave cylinder. Torque all fasteners to specification.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install engine mounts
    Install front engine mount assembly first, then rear mount and torque rod. Install driver side and passenger side mounts, starting with mount-to-engine bracket bolts, then mount-to-frame bolts. Torque all mount fasteners to specification in the sequence: mount-to-block first, then mount-to-frame. Ensure engine sits level and centered in bay before final tightening. Remove engine hoist and support bar.
    Torque spec

    Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

    Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)

    Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect accessories and electrical
    Install starter motor and torque mounting bolts to specification. Reinstall alternator and AC compressor, torquing all fasteners to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors to sensors, starter, alternator, AC compressor, and engine harness main connectors. Reconnect all ground straps. Install accessory drive belt and verify proper routing.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)

    Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    AC Compressor Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect fuel, cooling, and exhaust systems
    Install radiator assembly and cooling fans. Reconnect all coolant hoses including radiator hoses, heater hoses, and turbocharger coolant lines. Reconnect fuel supply and return lines, ensuring proper engagement of quick-connect fittings. Install exhaust manifold with new gasket, applying anti-seize to nuts and torquing in sequence from hot end to cold end. Reconnect turbocharger oil feed and return lines carefully. Connect downpipe to turbocharger outlet.
    Torque spec

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final reassembly and fluid fill
    Reinstall axle shafts into transmission and torque axle nuts to specification. Reconnect shift linkage and cables. Install new oil filter and fill engine with Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil to proper level (4.0 quarts). Fill cooling system with Honda Type 2 Blue coolant (6.0 quarts total capacity), bleeding air from system. Reinstall splash shields, wheels, front bumper cover, and engine cover. Reinstall battery tray and battery, connecting positive cable first, then negative.
    Torque spec

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all critical fasteners including engine mounts, transmission bolts, and accessory mounting bolts to specification using calibrated torque wrench
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked, comparing with reference photos taken during disassembly
3. Double-check that all coolant hoses are properly clamped and fuel lines are securely connected
4. Ensure accessory drive belt is properly routed and tensioned according to belt routing diagram on radiator support

Verification

• Before starting engine, verify oil level is correct and coolant system is full with no visible leaks
• Turn ignition to ON position (without starting) and check for fuel leaks at all connection points
• Start engine and immediately check for oil pressure indication on instrument cluster
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for coolant, oil, or fuel leaks
• Verify cooling fans cycle on and off properly and coolant temperature remains in normal range
• Check for any unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights on instrument cluster
• Test drive vehicle to verify proper operation of engine, transmission, and all accessories under load
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and top off as necessary
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes using OBD-II scanner to verify no fault codes are present

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