Complete replacement of main bearings requires full engine removal, disassembly, crankshaft inspection, and precision reassembly with torque-to-yield main cap bolts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Main bearing set (standard or oversized as measured) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Thrust bearing set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main cap bolts (torque-to-yield, replace mandatory) × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear main seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant × 1 — Honda Type 2 Blue
• RTV silicone gasket maker (Honda Bond HT) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Place wheel chocks at rear wheels.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable, then positive cable. Remove battery and battery tray.
3. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter.
4. Drain coolant from radiator drain plug and engine block drain bolt.
5. Remove engine cover and air intake assembly including turbocharger inlet duct.
6. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stalls.
7. Discharge A/C system using proper recovery equipment (EPA required).
8. Label and photograph all electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and hose routing before disconnection.
9. Raise and secure vehicle on jack stands at manufacturer specified lift points.
10. Remove front wheels and engine under covers.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove engine accessories and external components
   Disconnect all electrical connectors from engine including alternator, starter, sensors, ignition coils, and injectors. Remove accessory drive belt. Remove alternator, A/C compressor (leave hoses attached and secure aside), power steering pump bracket (electric system, no fluid lines). Disconnect all coolant hoses from engine including radiator hoses, heater hoses, and turbocharger coolant lines. Disconnect fuel supply and return lines using quick-disconnect tool. Remove throttle body and turbocharger inlet/outlet piping.
2. 2

   Disconnect exhaust and turbocharger
   Remove turbocharger heat shields. Disconnect exhaust downpipe from turbocharger at flange connection. Disconnect oil feed line from top of turbocharger and oil return line from bottom. Support turbocharger and remove mounting nuts from exhaust manifold. Remove turbocharger assembly. Remove exhaust manifold from cylinder head and discard gasket.
   ⚠Exhaust components may be brittle. Use penetrating oil on fasteners and allow soak time.
3. 3

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove starter motor. Remove all transmission-to-engine mounting bolts (multiple lengths, note locations). Disconnect shift linkage and electrical connectors from transmission. For automatic transmission, disconnect cooler lines and plug openings. Carefully separate transmission from engine by pulling straight back to disengage input shaft from clutch/torque converter. Lower transmission and remove from under vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove engine from vehicle
   Attach engine hoist to factory lifting points on engine block. Remove engine mount through-bolts and mounting bracket bolts from engine side. Slowly lift engine while checking for any remaining connections. Tilt engine as needed using load leveler to clear firewall and radiator support. Once clear of engine bay, lower engine onto engine stand and secure using transmission mounting holes. Remove engine hoist.
   ⚠️Verify all connections are disconnected before lifting. Engine should lift freely without binding.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disassemble engine top end
   Remove ignition coils and spark plugs. Remove valve cover and gasket. Set engine to TDC on cylinder #1 by aligning timing marks. Remove timing chain tensioner and timing chain guide. Remove timing chain and crankshaft sprocket. Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (spiral pattern from outside to inside). Lift cylinder head from block and place on clean surface. Remove head gasket.
   ℹ️Mark timing chain orientation and cam/crank position for reassembly reference.
6. 6

   Remove oil pan and oil pump
   Remove oil pan mounting bolts in cross pattern. Use plastic pry tool to separate oil pan from block. Clean all gasket surfaces. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and chain. Remove oil pump assembly and oil pickup tube. Inspect oil pump pickup screen for debris.
   ⚠Do not pry on machined sealing surfaces. Use designated pry points only.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove pistons and connecting rods
   Mark each connecting rod cap and rod with cylinder number and orientation using permanent marker or stamps. Remove connecting rod cap bolts. Push piston/rod assemblies out top of block using wooden handle. Keep caps with their matching rods. Store assemblies in order.
   ℹ️Connecting rod orientation is critical. Mark front-facing direction before removal.
8. 8

   Remove main bearing caps and crankshaft
   Verify main bearing caps are numbered 1-5 from front to rear with directional arrows pointing toward front of engine. Remove main cap bolts (discard - torque-to-yield type). Carefully remove main bearing caps in order, keeping thrust bearing washers with center main cap. Lift crankshaft straight up from block. Remove upper main bearing shells from block saddles and label by position.
   ⚠️Main caps MUST be installed in exact original positions and orientations. Mix-up will cause immediate engine destruction.
   Torque spec

   Main Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 56°
9. 9

   Inspect and measure crankshaft journals
   Clean all crankshaft journals with solvent and lint-free cloth. Inspect each main journal and rod journal for scoring, discoloration, or damage. Using precision micrometer, measure each main journal diameter in two directions (vertical and horizontal) at three locations (front, center, rear of journal). Record all measurements. Check service manual specifications for out-of-round (max 0.0002 inch) and taper limits. If journals are worn beyond specification, crankshaft must be reground and undersize bearings used.
   ⚠Do not proceed if crankshaft journals are out of specification. Machine shop services required for grinding.
10. 10

    Inspect block bearing bores
    Clean all main bearing saddles in block and caps thoroughly with solvent. Inspect for cracks, scoring, or damage. Using dial bore gauge, measure inside diameter of each bearing bore with caps torqued in place (use old bolts for measurement only). Measure in-line with engine and 90 degrees to that. Record measurements. Bearing bore must be within 0.0004 inch round specification.
    ℹ️Block may require align-boring if bearing bores are out of specification.
11. 11

    Select and install new main bearings
    Based on crankshaft journal measurements and block bore measurements, select proper bearing size (standard or undersize if crank was ground). Clean bearing saddles and backs of bearings with clean oil. Install upper bearing shells into block saddles ensuring oil holes align with block passages and locking tabs engage slots. Install lower bearing shells into main caps. Do not interchange upper and lower shells. Install thrust bearing washers on center main bearing.
    ⚠Never spin bearings in saddles. Oil grooves must face crankshaft journals.
12. 12

    Check main bearing clearances with Plastigage
    Place strip of Plastigage lengthwise on each main journal (crankshaft). Carefully lower crankshaft into block. Install main caps in correct positions with arrows pointing forward. Install NEW main cap bolts finger tight, then torque to specification. Do NOT rotate crankshaft. Remove main caps one at a time and measure width of flattened Plastigage using scale on package. Clearance should be 0.0008-0.0017 inch. If clearance is too tight or too loose, verify bearing selection and crankshaft measurements.
    ⚠️Do not rotate crankshaft with Plastigage installed. This will give false readings.
    ⚠Bearing clearance outside specification will cause bearing failure. Verify all measurements before proceeding.
    Torque spec

    Main Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 56°
13. 13

    Final main bearing installation
    Remove crankshaft and clean all Plastigage residue from journals and bearings using solvent. Lubricate all main bearing surfaces with clean engine assembly lube or fresh 0W-20 oil. Lubricate crankshaft journals. Carefully lower crankshaft into block ensuring thrust bearing washers stay in position. Apply thin coat of clean oil to main cap bolt threads and underside of bolt heads. Install main caps with arrows pointing toward front, in numbered order. Install NEW main cap bolts and hand tighten all bolts first.
    ℹ️Use only new torque-to-yield main cap bolts. Old bolts will fail.
14. 14

    Torque main bearing cap bolts
    Following cross-pattern sequence from center outward, torque all main cap bolts to 29 Nm (21 lb-ft). Then, using torque angle gauge, tighten each bolt an additional 56 degrees in the same sequence. Verify crankshaft rotates freely by hand with smooth resistance. Check crankshaft endplay by prying crankshaft forward and backward while measuring movement with dial indicator at front of crank. Endplay should be 0.004-0.014 inch. If excessive, check thrust bearing installation.
    ⚠Torque angle must be precise. Exceeding angle specification can yield bolts beyond design limits.
    Torque spec

    Main Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 56°
15. 15

    Reassemble lower engine components
    Install oil pump assembly with new gasket, ensuring pickup tube O-ring is in good condition. Install and torque oil pump mounting bolts. Apply thin bead of Honda Bond HT RTV to oil pan gasket mating surfaces at corners where block meets main caps. Install new oil pan gasket and oil pan. Torque oil pan bolts in cross pattern to specification. Install rear main seal using seal driver, ensuring lip faces inside engine. Install front crankshaft seal into timing cover.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Install pistons and complete top end assembly
    Lubricate piston rings and cylinder walls. Install piston/rod assemblies into cylinders from top, ensuring connecting rod markings face toward front and oil squirt holes face exhaust side. Install rod bearings in rods and caps with proper clearance (verify with Plastigage if performing complete overhaul). Install rod caps with NEW bolts if specified. Install new head gasket with proper orientation (TOP and FRONT markings). Install cylinder head and torque in proper sequence. Install timing chain with marks aligned. Install timing chain guides and tensioner. Install valve cover with new gasket.
    ℹ️Cylinder head bolt torque sequence and specifications not provided in this dataset - refer to service manual.
17. 17

    Install engine and reconnect all components
    Transfer engine from stand to hoist. Raise engine into engine bay using load leveler to achieve proper angle. Align engine with transmission and carefully guide input shaft into clutch/torque converter. Install transmission mounting bolts and torque to specification. Install engine mount brackets and through-bolts. Remove engine hoist. Reinstall all accessories in reverse order of removal: turbocharger with new gasket, exhaust connections, alternator, A/C compressor, all hoses, wiring, sensors, fuel lines, coolant hoses, intake system, and drive belt.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
18. 18

    Fill fluids and initial startup
    Install new oil filter. Fill engine with 4 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil. Fill cooling system with Honda Type 2 Blue coolant (6 quarts total including reservoir). Reconnect battery. Turn ignition to ON position without starting to prime fuel system (cycle 3-4 times). Remove all spark plugs and disable fuel system. Crank engine for 10 seconds to build oil pressure. Reinstall spark plugs and enable fuel. Start engine and verify oil pressure immediately. Check for leaks at oil pan, main seal, and all connections. Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for abnormal noises or leaks. Bleed cooling system of air pockets.
    ⚠️Verify oil pressure within 5 seconds of startup. Shut down immediately if no oil pressure is indicated.
    ⚠Monitor closely for any knocking or abnormal sounds indicating bearing problems.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specified values in proper sequence
2. Use only NEW main cap bolts and connecting rod bolts if specified (torque-to-yield components)
3. Replace all gaskets and seals during reassembly
4. Apply assembly lube or clean engine oil to all bearing surfaces before installation
5. Verify timing chain alignment marks before final assembly
6. Double-check all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
7. Ensure all ground connections are clean and tight
8. Top off all fluids after initial run and cooling system bleeding

Verification

• Oil pressure should register within 5 seconds of startup and remain stable at idle (10+ psi hot idle)
• Engine should idle smoothly without knocking, ticking, or abnormal vibration
• No oil leaks from oil pan, front seal, rear seal, or main bearing area after 20 minute run
• No coolant leaks from any connections after reaching operating temperature
• Oil pressure should increase proportionally with RPM (40-60 psi at 3000 RPM)
• Perform test drive and verify normal operation under load
• Recheck oil level after first drive cycle and top off if needed
• Monitor oil consumption and bearing noise for first 500 miles of break-in period
• Change oil and filter after 500 mile break-in period

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