engine
Oil Pump
for 2021 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years
Difficulty
Expert
Time
6.0 h
Tools
11
Steps
15
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
This procedure involves removing the timing chain cover and oil pan to access and replace the internal oil pump on the 1.5L turbocharged engine.
Warnings
⚠️Engine must be cold before starting work. Hot coolant and oil can cause severe burns.
⚠Proper engine support is critical. Engine damage or personal injury can occur if engine falls during motor mount removal.
⚠Timing chain alignment is critical. Incorrect alignment will cause catastrophic engine damage upon startup.
ℹ️This procedure requires draining coolant and removing the timing chain cover. Do not attempt without timing chain knowledge.
Tools required
Socket set (8mm-19mm)Essential
Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Engine support fixture or hoistEssential
Crankshaft pulley holder toolEssential
Oil filter wrenchEssential
Razor blade or gasket scraperEssential
Floor jack and jack standsEssential
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Parts
- Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pump gasket/O-ring kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing chain cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-14000
- Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Crankshaft front seal × 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 engine oil — 4 qt
- Honda Type 2 Coolant (Blue) — 2 qt
Preparation
- Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
- Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for SRS system discharge
- Raise vehicle on lift or secure on jack stands at proper lift points
- Remove engine cover and plastic undertray/splash shields
- Install engine support fixture across engine bay or attach engine hoist to lifting eyes
- Place drain pan under vehicle and drain engine oil completely
- Remove oil filter and allow to drain
- Drain coolant from radiator drain plug and lower radiator hose
Procedure
- 1Remove accessory drive belt and crankshaft pulleyRemove the accessory drive belt by rotating the tensioner clockwise. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt (will require crankshaft holder tool to prevent rotation). Remove the crankshaft pulley from the crankshaft nose.
- 2Remove right-side engine mountSupport the engine weight with the engine support fixture. Remove the right-side engine mount bracket bolts and remove the engine mount assembly. This provides clearance for timing cover removal.⚠Verify engine is properly supported before removing mount bolts.Torque specMounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
- 3Remove timing chain coverDisconnect coolant hoses from timing cover. Remove all timing cover bolts noting their positions (various lengths). Carefully separate the timing cover from the engine block using a plastic pry tool if necessary. Do not damage sealing surfaces.⚠Do not pry against aluminum sealing surfaces as this will cause leaks.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 4Verify timing chain alignmentBefore proceeding, verify the engine is at TDC cylinder 1 by checking that the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets align with their respective reference marks. Take photos for reassembly reference.⚠Do not rotate the crankshaft with timing cover removed unless absolutely necessary. Mark all timing positions clearly.
- 5Remove oil panRemove all oil pan bolts in a crisscross pattern from the outside toward the center. Carefully break the gasket seal using a plastic pry tool or gasket cutter. Lower the oil pan and remove from vehicle.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 6Remove oil pump pickup tubeRemove the two bolts securing the oil pump pickup tube to the oil pump body. Remove the pickup tube and O-ring from the engine. Inspect the pickup screen for debris or damage.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 7Remove oil pump assemblyRemove the oil pump mounting bolts securing the pump to the engine block. Note there are multiple bolts of different lengths. Carefully pull the oil pump straight out from the engine block, disengaging it from the crankshaft drive. Remove the oil pump gasket and O-rings.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 8Clean all sealing surfacesThoroughly clean all gasket surfaces on the engine block, oil pan mating surface, and timing cover mating surface using a gasket scraper and brake cleaner. Ensure all old gasket material and RTV is completely removed. Inspect surfaces for damage or warping.
- 9Install new oil pumpInstall new O-rings and gasket on the new oil pump. Lubricate with clean engine oil. Align the oil pump inner rotor with the crankshaft flats and carefully slide the pump onto the crankshaft. Install and tighten oil pump bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern.⚠Ensure oil pump inner rotor properly engages with crankshaft drive flats before tightening bolts.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 10Install oil pump pickup tubeInstall a new O-ring on the pickup tube. Insert the pickup tube into the oil pump body and install the mounting bolts. Torque to specification.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 11Reinstall oil panInstall new oil pan gasket or apply Honda Bond HT RTV sealant in a continuous 3mm bead around the oil pan sealing surface. Install the oil pan and hand-thread all bolts. Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern from center outward to specification. Allow RTV to cure per manufacturer instructions before filling with oil.ℹ️If using RTV sealant, wait minimum 30 minutes before adding oil.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 12Install new crankshaft front sealInstall the new crankshaft front seal into the timing cover using a seal driver or appropriately sized socket. Ensure seal is driven in straight and flush with the cover surface. Lubricate seal lip with clean engine oil.
- 13Reinstall timing chain coverInstall new timing cover gasket. Apply Honda Bond HT RTV to the cylinder head-to-block mating corners as specified in service manual. Install the timing cover ensuring coolant passages align. Install all bolts and tighten in the specified sequence to specification.⚠Follow the specified tightening sequence to prevent cover warping and coolant/oil leaks.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 14Reinstall crankshaft pulley and engine mountInstall the crankshaft pulley onto the crankshaft nose. Install and torque the crankshaft pulley bolt to specification using the crankshaft holder tool. Reinstall the right-side engine mount and torque mounting bolts to specification. Remove engine support fixture.Torque specMounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
- 15Complete final assemblyInstall accessory drive belt following the routing diagram on the fan shroud. Install new oil filter and tighten by hand plus 3/4 turn. Install oil drain plug with new crush washer and torque to specification. Refill coolant system to proper level. Reconnect all hoses and electrical connectors. Install undertray and engine cover.Torque specOil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Ensure all timing marks were properly aligned before cover installation
- Verify all electrical connectors and hoses are reconnected
- Double-check all bolts are torqued to specification
- If RTV sealant was used, observe proper cure time before starting engine
Verification
- Fill engine with 4.0 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 oil
- Reconnect battery negative terminal
- Start engine and immediately check for oil pressure light to extinguish within 2-3 seconds
- Allow engine to idle and carefully inspect for oil leaks around oil pan, timing cover, and oil filter
- Check for coolant leaks around timing cover
- Turn off engine, wait 5 minutes, and recheck oil level - add if necessary to reach full mark
- Test drive vehicle and verify no unusual engine noises or warning lights
- Recheck oil level after test drive and inspect again for leaks