Complete removal and replacement of the cylinder head gasket on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L turbocharged engine, including cylinder head removal, surface preparation, and reassembly with new gasket and bolts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cylinder head gasket × 1 — Use OEM Honda gasket
• Cylinder head bolts (set of 10) × 1 — New bolts required - OEM Honda
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Turbocharger oil feed line gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain tensioner gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft position sensor O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Thermostat housing gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil × 1 — Honda Genuine 0W-20
• Oil filter × 1 — Use OEM Honda oil filter

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (at least 3 hours after last operation)
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 3 minutes for SRS system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front clips
4. Drain engine coolant completely from radiator drain plug and engine block drain
5. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter
6. Remove front wheels and remove passenger side inner fender liner for access to timing cover
7. Support engine from above using engine support fixture across fender rails
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stalls
9. Label all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and coolant hoses with tape for reinstallation reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove intake system and accessories
   Disconnect intake air duct from throttle body. Remove air filter housing assembly. Disconnect all vacuum hoses from intake manifold (brake booster, PCV, EVAP purge valve). Disconnect throttle body electrical connector. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs. Label each coil position for correct reinstallation.
2. 2

   Remove fuel system components
   Disconnect fuel feed line from fuel rail using quick-disconnect tool. Remove fuel rail mounting bolts and carefully lift fuel rail with injectors attached. Cap all fuel openings immediately. Disconnect injector electrical connectors if separating injectors from rail.
   ⚠Residual fuel pressure may still exist. Have shop towels ready to catch fuel spillage
3. 3

   Remove intake manifold
   Disconnect all remaining sensors from intake manifold (MAP sensor, coolant temperature sensors). Remove intake manifold support brackets. Remove intake manifold bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside). Carefully lift intake manifold away from cylinder head.
   Torque spec

   Intake Manifold Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove exhaust system and turbocharger connections
   From underneath vehicle, disconnect exhaust pipe from turbocharger outlet using penetrating oil on studs. Remove heat shields around turbocharger. Disconnect turbocharger wastegate actuator vacuum line. Disconnect turbocharger oil feed line from cylinder head (banjo bolt). Disconnect turbocharger oil return line from block. Support turbocharger with wire or strap.
   ⚠Exhaust studs are prone to breaking. Apply penetrating oil and allow to soak before removal
5. 5

   Remove exhaust manifold
   Remove exhaust manifold nuts from cylinder head in reverse sequence (center outward). Carefully separate exhaust manifold/turbocharger assembly from cylinder head studs. Inspect studs for damage and replace if necessary.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts32 Nm (24 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove valve cover and upper timing components
   Disconnect PCV hose and breather hose from valve cover. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse sequence (outside to inside). Carefully break valve cover seal and remove. Remove upper timing chain cover bolts. Disconnect VTC solenoid electrical connector and remove VTC oil control solenoid.
   Torque spec

   Valve Cover Bolts13 Nm (10 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Set engine to TDC and lock timing
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using crankshaft pulley bolt until cylinder #1 is at TDC (timing marks on camshaft sprockets aligned with upper surface of cylinder head, UP marks visible). Install camshaft holding tool to lock both camshafts in position. Mark timing chain-to-sprocket relationship with paint marker on both intake and exhaust sprockets.
   ⚠️Failure to properly mark and maintain timing chain position will result in incorrect valve timing and engine damage
8. 8

   Remove camshaft sprockets and timing chain
   Remove timing chain tensioner (automatic tensioner - remove mounting bolts). Remove timing chain guide if necessary for access. While supporting timing chain, remove intake camshaft sprocket bolt, then exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt. Carefully remove both sprockets while keeping timing chain supported. Tie timing chain up with wire to prevent it from falling into timing case.
9. 9

   Remove camshafts
   Remove camshaft caps in reverse of tightening sequence (loosen evenly in multiple passes from outside to inside, 1/4 turn at a time to prevent binding). Keep camshaft caps in order with their position marked. Carefully lift exhaust camshaft, then intake camshaft from cylinder head. Inspect cam journals for scoring or damage.
   ⚠Camshaft caps must be loosened gradually and evenly. Uneven loosening will warp the caps or damage bearing surfaces
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Cap Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove cylinder head
    Disconnect remaining coolant hoses from cylinder head (thermostat housing, heater hoses). Disconnect any remaining ground wires and sensors. Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside in 1/4 turn increments). Use multiple passes to loosen evenly. Once all bolts are removed, carefully break cylinder head seal using plastic pry points at designated locations. Lift cylinder head straight up to avoid damaging dowel pins.
    ⚠Never pry between head and block gasket surfaces. Use only designated pry points or head may warp
    Torque spec

    Cylinder Head Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft) + 130°
11. 11

    Inspect and clean cylinder head and block surfaces
    Remove all old gasket material from both cylinder head and engine block surfaces using plastic scraper only. Never use metal scrapers that can gouge aluminum surfaces. Clean surfaces with brake cleaner and lint-free cloths. Use straight edge and feeler gauge to check cylinder head flatness across multiple planes. Maximum warpage allowed is 0.002 inches. Check block surface similarly. Inspect cylinder head for cracks using dye penetrant if overheating occurred. Clean all bolt holes in block with compressed air and thread chaser.
    ⚠If cylinder head warpage exceeds 0.002 inches, head must be professionally resurfaced or replaced
12. 12

    Install new head gasket and cylinder head
    Verify engine block is still at TDC (crankshaft timing mark aligned). Install new head gasket over dowel pins with 'UP' or 'TOP' mark facing cylinder head side. Verify gasket is fully seated on dowel pins. Carefully lower cylinder head onto block, aligning with dowel pins. Install NEW cylinder head bolts finger-tight in sequence. Torque head bolts in sequence: first pass to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft), then second pass rotate each bolt an additional 130 degrees using angle gauge in same sequence.
    ⚠️Head bolts must be NEW. Torque-to-yield bolts cannot be reused. Using old bolts will cause gasket failure
    ⚠Follow exact torque sequence and angle rotation. Start angle gauge at zero for each bolt during angle torque pass
    Torque spec

    Cylinder Head Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft) + 130°
13. 13

    Install camshafts and timing components
    Lubricate camshaft journals and lobes with fresh engine oil. Install intake camshaft first (smaller cam lobes) with timing mark facing up, then exhaust camshaft. Install camshaft caps in correct positions (marked with intake/exhaust and cylinder numbers). Torque camshaft cap bolts in sequence from inside to outside to 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) in multiple passes. Remove timing chain support wire. Align timing marks on camshaft sprockets with timing chain marks made during disassembly. Install exhaust sprocket first, then intake sprocket, verifying timing chain is properly seated. Install and torque sprocket bolts. Install timing chain tensioner with new gasket. Remove camshaft holding tool and verify timing marks align correctly.
    ⚠️Verify all timing marks are correctly aligned before proceeding. Incorrect timing will cause valve-to-piston contact
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Cap Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install valve cover and verify timing
    Install new valve cover gasket in valve cover groove. Clean valve cover mating surface thoroughly. Apply small amount of RTV sealant at camshaft cap corners where cap meets cylinder head. Install valve cover and torque bolts in sequence (inside to outside) to 13 Nm (10 lb-ft). Manually rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions clockwise and verify TDC timing marks realign perfectly on both camshafts.
    ⚠If timing marks do not realign after two rotations, timing is incorrect and must be corrected before proceeding
    Torque spec

    Valve Cover Bolts13 Nm (10 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall exhaust manifold and remaining components
    Install new exhaust manifold gasket. Position exhaust manifold/turbocharger assembly onto cylinder head studs. Install exhaust manifold nuts and torque in sequence (center outward) to 32 Nm (24 lb-ft). Reconnect turbocharger oil feed line with new crush washers. Reconnect turbocharger oil return line with new gasket. Install new intake manifold gasket. Position intake manifold and torque bolts in sequence (inside to outside) to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft). Reconnect all sensors, vacuum lines, and electrical connectors per labels made during disassembly. Install fuel rail and injectors. Reconnect fuel line. Install ignition coils and spark plugs. Reinstall air intake system.
    Torque spec

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts32 Nm (24 lb-ft)

    Intake Manifold Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall timing chain covers with new gaskets
2. Reconnect all coolant hoses to thermostat housing and cylinder head with new clamps
3. Reinstall passenger side inner fender liner
4. Reinstall front wheels and torque lug nuts to specification
5. Remove engine support fixture
6. Reconnect negative battery cable
7. Fill cooling system with Honda Type 2 coolant through radiator cap and reservoir
8. Fill engine with 4.0 quarts Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil and new oil filter

Verification

• With radiator cap off, start engine and allow to warm to operating temperature while monitoring for leaks around head gasket, valve cover, intake and exhaust manifolds
• Verify cooling system purges all air bubbles (run heater on full hot, squeeze upper radiator hose to burp air)
• Check for proper oil pressure on instrument cluster (should illuminate briefly then extinguish)
• Listen for unusual valve train noise indicating incorrect cam timing or inadequate lubrication
• Perform test drive including moderate acceleration to verify turbocharger boost and no exhaust leaks
• Recheck coolant level after engine cools completely and top off as needed
• Check for diagnostic trouble codes using OBD-II scanner, particularly P0301-P0304 (misfire codes) or P0016/P0017 (timing correlation codes)
• Verify no oil leaks from valve cover or turbocharger oil lines after 50-100 miles of operation
• Retorque cylinder head bolts is NOT required on this engine (torque-to-yield bolts)

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