This procedure adjusts the valve lash clearances on the 1.5L turbocharged engine to ensure proper valve timing and quiet operation. Requires engine to be cold and at Top Dead Center on cylinder #1.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM Honda gasket
• Valve cover bolt grommets × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (not run for at least 3 hours)
2. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal
4. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on clips
5. Label and disconnect ignition coil connectors
6. Remove ignition coils from valve cover
7. Disconnect any breather hoses, PCV connections, and wiring harness clips from valve cover
8. Remove any brackets or components blocking valve cover access

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve cover
   Remove the valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (start from outside, work inward). Carefully lift valve cover off, breaking the gasket seal if necessary. Inspect gasket and replace if damaged or hardened.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Position crankshaft to TDC cylinder #1
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt until the 'UP' mark on the camshaft sprocket aligns with the pointer and the TDC marks align. Verify cylinder #1 is at TDC compression stroke (both cam lobes pointing away from rocker arms). If lobes are not pointing away, rotate crankshaft 360 degrees.
   ⚠Ensure timing marks are properly aligned. Incorrect positioning will result in inaccurate valve clearance measurements.
3. 3

   Measure valve clearances for cylinder #1 intake and exhaust
   With cylinder #1 at TDC, measure valve clearances using feeler gauges. Intake valve specification: 0.17-0.21mm (0.0067-0.0083 in). Exhaust valve specification: 0.23-0.27mm (0.0091-0.0106 in). Record measurements for cylinder #1 intake and exhaust valves. The feeler gauge should slide with slight resistance when clearance is correct.
   ℹ️Measure clearance between rocker arm and valve stem. Ensure cam lobe is pointing away from rocker arm during measurement.
4. 4

   Rotate crankshaft and measure remaining valves
   Rotate crankshaft 180 degrees clockwise and measure the next pair of valves. Continue rotating 180 degrees at a time, following Honda's valve adjustment sequence until all 8 valves (4 intake, 4 exhaust) have been measured. Record all clearance measurements for each valve position.
   ℹ️Typical sequence: Cylinder #1, then #3, then #4, then #2. Always rotate clockwise only.
5. 5

   Return to TDC cylinder #1 for adjustments
   Rotate crankshaft back to TDC position for cylinder #1 (UP mark aligned). You will now adjust any valves that were out of specification, starting with cylinder #1 if needed.
6. 6

   Adjust out-of-spec valves
   For each valve requiring adjustment: Loosen the valve adjusting screw lock nut while holding the adjusting screw with a flat blade screwdriver. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise to decrease clearance or counterclockwise to increase clearance. Use feeler gauge to verify proper clearance while adjusting. Once correct, hold the adjusting screw firmly and tighten the lock nut to specification.
   ⚠The adjusting screw may turn while tightening the lock nut. Hold screw firmly with screwdriver and recheck clearance after tightening.
   Torque spec

   Valve Lash Adjusting Screw Lock Nut20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Verify all adjusted valve clearances
   After adjusting and tightening each lock nut, recheck the clearance with feeler gauge to confirm the adjustment did not change during lock nut tightening. Rotate crankshaft to access other cylinders and repeat adjustment process as needed for all out-of-specification valves.
8. 8

   Final verification of all clearances
   Rotate through all valve positions one final time and verify all 8 valves are within specification. Intake: 0.17-0.21mm. Exhaust: 0.23-0.27mm. Make note of final measurements.
   ℹ️All clearances should be in the middle of the specification range for best results.
9. 9

   Clean mating surfaces
   Clean the valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces thoroughly with a plastic scraper and clean rag. Remove all old gasket material. Ensure surfaces are clean, dry, and free of debris or oil.
10. 10

    Install new valve cover gasket and seals
    Install new valve cover gasket into the groove in the valve cover. Replace spark plug tube seals and valve cover bolt grommets. Ensure gasket is seated properly all around the perimeter.
    ⚠Do not reuse old gasket. Ensure new gasket is properly seated in groove before installation.
11. 11

    Install valve cover
    Carefully place valve cover onto cylinder head, ensuring gasket remains in position. Install valve cover bolts with grommets and tighten in sequence (center outward, alternating sides) to specification. Follow Honda's tightening sequence diagram if available.
    ⚠Over-tightening valve cover bolts can warp the cover and cause oil leaks. Use torque wrench and proper sequence.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall ignition coils and accessories
    Reinstall ignition coils into spark plug tubes. Reconnect ignition coil connectors. Reinstall all breather hoses, PCV connections, wiring harness clips, and any brackets removed during disassembly. Reinstall engine cover.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect negative battery terminal
2. Double-check all electrical connections are secure
3. Verify no tools or parts are left in engine bay
4. Check that all hoses and connectors are properly reattached

Verification

• Start engine and listen for any abnormal valve train noise - should be quieter than before if valves were out of specification
• Allow engine to idle and verify no oil leaks from valve cover gasket
• Check engine oil level and top off if necessary
• Road test vehicle and verify smooth operation at all RPM ranges
• Recheck valve cover for leaks after first 50 miles of operation

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