The following service information procedures have been used in full or in part within this service bulletin. For more detail
on these procedures, and torque specifications for some components, refer to the service information.
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Battery Terminal Disconnection and Reconnection
Fuel Pressure Relieving
Fuel Line/Quick-Connect Fitting Removal
Air Cleaner Removal/Installation
Splash Shield Replacement
Drive Belt Removal/Installation
Engine Oil Replacement
Coolant Replacement
Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Check/Replacement
Intake Manifold Removal and Installation
Timing Belt Removal and Installation
Warm Up-TWC Removal/Installation
Cylinder Head Cover Removal
Cylinder Head Removal and Installation
Piston Ring Replacement
PCM Idle Learn Procedure
Valve Adjustment

Piston Removal Procedure
•

Use fender covers to avoid damaging painted surfaces.

•

To avoid damaging any wires and terminals, unplug the circuit connectors carefully while holding the connector
portion.

•

Mark all the circuits and hoses to avoid misconnection. Make sure they do not contact other circuit wiring, hoses, or
interfere with other parts.

1.

Relieve the fuel pressure.

2.

Remove both front wheels so you can fully lower the vehicle.

3.

Do the battery removal procedure.

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4.

Disconnect the fuel feed hose line at the bulkhead.

5.

Remove the engine cover.

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6.

Remove the radiator cap.

7.

Raise the vehicle.

8.

Remove the front splash shield.

9.

Drain the engine oil.

10.

Loosen the drain plug on the radiator, and drain the coolant.

11.

Install a 5/16th inner diameter rubber hose on the drain bolt located at the rear of the engine block, loosen the drain
bolt, and drain all remaining coolant. Then disconnect the oil pressure switch connector.

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12.

Remove exhaust pipe A.

13.

Depending on the diagnosis, remove the appropriate WU-TWC support bracket bolts.

14.

Remove the EGR lower pipe nuts.

15.

Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt but not the pulley.
NOTE: Make sure to apply new oil to the bolt flange and threads before reinstallation.

16.

Lower the vehicle.

17.

Disconnect the MAP sensor connector and the breather pipe, then remove the intake air duct.

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18.

Disconnect the throttle body connector, the EVAP canister purge valve connector, the EVAP hose, the brake booster
vacuum hose, and the vacuum hose.

19.

Disconnect and plug the water bypass hoses.

20.

Remove the drive belt.

21.

Remove the drive belt auto-tensioner.

22.

Remove the power steering pump bolts, the power steering bracket then secure the power steering pump out of the
way.
NOTE: Do not remove any of the hoses.

23.

Remove the engine harness holder bolt on the side engine mount.

24.

Set the engine to TDC cylinder one.

25.

Remove the crankshaft pulley.

26.

Remove the timing belt.

27.

Remove the timing belt idler pulley.

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28.

Remove the engine intake upper cover and PCV hose.

29.

Remove the intake manifold bolts and nuts in three steps, then remove the intake manifold.

30.

Remove the PCM cover.

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31.

Remove the PCM connectors and harness clip. Remove the battery cables from the underhood fuse box.

32.

Remove the appropriate Ignition coils based on the diagnosis.
NOTE: Depending on the diagnosis, you will either have to remove the rear bank ignition coils or both ignition coil
banks.

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33.

Depending on the diagnosis, remove some or all of the following:
• ECT sensor connector
• Front rocker arm oil pressure switch connector
• Rear rocker arm oil pressure switch connector
• CMP sensor connector
• Front A/F sensor one connector
• Rear A/F sensor one connector
• Front secondary HO2S connector
• Rear secondary HO2S connector
• Rocker arm oil control solenoid A connector (bank one)
• Rocker arm oil control solenoid A connector (bank two)
• Rocker arm oil control solenoid B connector (bank one)
• Alternator connector and positive alternator cable
• A/C clutch switch connector
• EGR 5P valve connector
• Engine ground
• Knock sensor
• Fuel injector connectors and clips

34.

Remove the quick-connect fitting cover, then disconnect the fuel feed hose.

35.

Remove the EVAP canister purge joint with the bracket.

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36.

Remove the fuel rail connecting joint hose.

37.

Remove the EGR pipe mounting bolts, then remove the EGR pipe.

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38.

Separate the water passage from the heads.

39.

Remove the appropriate WU-TWC depending on diagnosis.
NOTE: Set the WU-TWC aside and cover the opening with shop towels to prevent coolant from entering.

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40.

Remove the appropriate head with the injector base attached.
NOTE: Depending on diagnosis, you will remove the rear bank head or both heads.

41.

Measure the head bolts to determine if they need replacement. If either diameter is less than 11.3 mm (0.445 in),
replace the cylinder head bolt.

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NOTE: Below are the head bolt torque specifications for reinstallation.
• First step: torque the cylinder bolts in sequence to 29 N•m (22 lb-ft).
• Second step: tighten in sequence an additional 90 degrees.
• Third step: tighten in sequence an additional 90 degrees.
• If the bolts are new, tighten an additional 90 degrees.

42. Raise the vehicle.
43. Remove the CKP sensor cover and bolts, then disconnect the CKP sensor connector.

44. Remove the torque converter case cover and the four bolts securing the oil pan to the transmission.

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45. Remove all bolts securing the oil pan.

46. Using a flat blade screwdriver, separate the oil pan from the engine block in the areas shown.

47. Remove the oil strainer and baffle plate.

48. Lower the vehicle to a comfortable working height, and place a clean shop towel around the cylinder wall to prevent
debris from entering the coolant passage.
49. Remove the appropriate piston depending on diagnosis, then go to PISTON CLEANING PROCEDURE.
NOTE: When removing the piston rod caps, be sure and keep all caps and bolts with their corresponding pistons for
reassembly purposes.
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Piston Cleaning and Ring Replacement Procedure
1. Remove the piston rings from the piston using a ring expander. Be careful not to damage the piston.

2. Spray the piston head and piston ring grooves thoroughly with Honda throttle plate cleaner.
3. While holding the piston upright in your left hand, take the piston ring groove cleaner tool in your right hand and line up
the cleaner tool guides with the second (middle) piston ring groove.

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4. Press the handle on the piston ring groove cleaner tool and slide the cleaning bit onto the appropriate piston ring
grooves.

5.

Once the cleaning bit is in the appropriate ring grooves of the piston, make sure the tool handle clicks in to place.
NOTE: There is only one notch on the tool for the handle to engage.

6. Hold the piston steady and rotate the tool counter-clockwise five to six times to remove any carbon deposits in the
piston ring grooves. Do not rotate the tool clockwise.
NOTE: You can watch this procedure in the Tech2Tech segment “How to Clean Piston Ring Grooves”.

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7. Remove the piston groove cleaning tool and clean off the carbon from the tool bit.

8. Finish cleaning the piston with throttle plate cleaner and the nylon brush. Do not use a steel wire brush.

NOTE: Below are some examples of before and after pictures. Depending on mileage and running conditions, the
pistons will achieve different levels of cleanliness.

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9. Install the piston rings as shown.
NOTE: The first (top) ring has a 1D manufacturing mark and the second (middle) ring has an SPR manufacturing
mark. The manufacturing marks must be facing upward.

10. Position the ring end gaps as shown.
NOTE: If the ring gaps are not positioned correctly, excessive blowby may occur.

11. Apply new engine oil to the piston, the inside of the piston ring compressor, and the cylinder bore.

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12. Install the piston/connecting rod assembly into the cylinder bore with the arrow on top of the piston facing the timing
belt side of the engine.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the cylinder wall when installing the piston.

13. Measure the diameter of the connecting rod bolts to determine if they need replacement. Calculate the difference in
diameter between point A and point B. It should not be more than 0–0.1 mm (0–0.004 in).

14. Apply new oil to the connecting rod bolt threads and flanges. Torque the bolts to 20 N•m (14 lb-ft) then tighten the
connecting rod bolts an additional 90 degrees.

15.
16.
17.
18.

Reinstall the remaining components in the reverse order of removal.
Replace spark plugs 1–4.
Replace the oil filter and refill all fluids.
Do the idle learn procedure.
END.
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