Service Bulletin
February 24, 2016

16-017
03188 Version 4

Safety Recall: Piston Pin Snap Ring Inspection
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
Model
2016
Civic with 2.0L engine

Trim
ALL

VIN Range
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

REVISION SUMMARY
Under WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION, the template ID was removed.
BACKGROUND
A small number of engines were produced with piston pin snap rings that may not be completely seated. If the snap ring
is not completely seated, the piston pin can move from its original location in the piston, resulting in engine failure.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.
Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your new or used vehicle inventory. These vehicles must be
repaired before they are sold.
Should your dealership sell an unrepaired vehicle that subsequently causes injury or damage because of the recalled
item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party and will be required to defend and indemnify
American Honda for any resulting claims. To see if a vehicle in inventory is affected by this recall, do a VIN status
inquiry before selling it.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Inspect the piston pin snap rings. If there are any that are not completely set or missing, replace the affected piston
rings and snap rings. In rare cases the piston pin(s) may damage the engine block, requiring replacement of the engine
short block. Replaced short blocks will be called into Warranty Inspection to confirm the damage.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Part Name

Part Number

Quantity

Honda Bond HT (One tube repairs
about 4 vehicles.)

08718-0004

1

CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools,
equipment, and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you
should not assume this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Honda automobile dealer.

© 2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

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PARTS INFORMATION
Part Name

Part Number

Quantity

Exhaust Pipe Gasket

18303-TR0-A01

1

Exhaust Pipe Gasket

18302-SP0-003

1

Self-Lock Nut (10 mm)

90212-SA5-003

6

Flange Bolt (14 mm x 100 mm)

90161-T5A-000

1

Gear Box Mounting Bolt

90108-TL1-G00

1

Drain Plug Washer

94109-14000

1

SYNBLND (0W-20)

08798-9036

5

NOTE: It is okay to use bulk engine oil instead of bottles
TOOL INFORMATION
Tool Name

Tool Number

Quantity

Snap-on Borescope

BK5600

1

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
NOTE:
• Contact Tech Line for additional information if you find a snap ring missing or misset as noted in step 19.
• For administrative compensation for the submission of photos, please select the PH drop-down in the sublet
section of the Warranty Claim.
Operation
Number

Description

Flat Rate
Time

Defect
Code

Symptom
Code

Failed Part Number

1105B6

Remove the engine oil pan and
inspect the piston pin snap
rings. Includes inspection and
photos.

2.5 hrs

6PC00

JX900

13010-5BA-A00

Skill Level:

Repair Technician

SETTING UP THE BORESCOPE
Before using the supplied borescope, insert the batteries, review the included instructions and make sure you do the
following:
1. Turn on the borescope and set the time and date. You only need to do this the first time you use the tool.
NOTE: Time and Date will be lost if dead batteries are not replaced immediately.

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2. Install the 90-degree mirror accessory by aligning the alignment dot with the slot.
NOTE: Make sure the mirror tip is very clean before inspecting. A dirty mirror can give distorted images.

3. Set the borescope to use the 90-degree mirror. You need to do this every time you turn on the borescope or it will
be difficult to maneuver the probe. Select the tip, then select the 90-degree tip icon.

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INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Remove the drive belt.
2. Remove the engine oil dipstick.
3. Raise the vehicle on a lift.
4. Remove the engine undercover lid.

5. Remove the engine undercover.

6. Drain the oil from the engine.
7. Remove exhaust pipe A.

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8. Remove the A/C compressor mounting bolts and move the compressor away from the oil pan bolts.
NOTE:
• Do not disconnect the suction hose and the discharge hose.
• Do not bend the suction hose and the discharge hose excessively.
• Hang the A/C compressor with a wire tie.
9. Remove the clutch cover (M/T) or the torque converter cover (CVT) and the transmission mounting bolts.

10. Remove the torque rod.

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11. Remove the oil pan mounting bolts.
12. Using a flat-blade screwdriver, separate the oil pan from the lower block.
13. Remove the oil pan.
NOTE: Reuse the oil pump O-ring unless it is damaged during removal.
14. Remove the baffle plate.

15. Remove the oil strainer.
NOTE: Reuse the oil strainer gasket unless it has been damaged during removal.

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16. Using the Snap-on BK5600 with the 90-degree tip installed, rotate the engine so the No.1 cylinder is at TDC.
Carefully insert the tip of the borescope and inspect cylinders No.1 and No.4. Then, rotate the engine so the No.2
cylinder is at TDC and repeat the process with cylinders No.2 and No.3.

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17. Rotate the probe to confirm that the snap ring is fully engaged in the piston pin groove. A properly seated snap ring
will have a 6 mm gap at the ends of the snap ring, as shown above. A misset snap ring will have a much smaller
gap, around 2 mm.
18. Take a photo of each snap ring. Focus on getting a clear picture of each snap ring gap. You will need to take a
picture of each side of all four pistons for a total of eight pictures.

19. Repeat for the remaining three pistons.
•
•
•
•

If all snap rings are installed properly, no further action is necessary. Reassemble in the reverse order of
disassembly.
If the snap ring is misset, take a clear picture of the misset snap ring and contact Tech Line to assist you with
obtaining replacement piston assemblies.
If a snap ring is missing and the engine cylinder wall does not have any damage, take a clear picture of the
piston pin with the missing snap ring and contact Tech Line. They will assist you with obtaining the replacement
piston assemblies.
If the snap ring is missing and the engine has cylinder wall damage, order a replacement short block.

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20. After all photos are taken, save them to your computer by connecting the borescope to it using the included USB
cable. Give the photos to your warranty administrator for the warranty claim to be paid. Eight images of the snap
rings must be included in the warranty claim or it may be rejected.

END

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