Honda Civic. Manual — part 575

Fig. 41: Heating Piston
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Assemble the piston (A) and connecting rod (B) with the mark (C) and the

embossed mark (D) on the same side. Install the piston pin (E).

Fig. 42: Identifying Piston And Connecting Rod With Mark
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

5. Install the remaining snap ring (F).
6. Turn the snap rings until the end gaps are positioned at the bottom of the

piston.

PISTON RING REPLACEMENT

1. Remove the piston from the engine block (see CRANKSHAFT AND

PISTON REMOVAL ).

2. Using a ring expander (A), remove the old piston rings (B).

Fig. 43: Removing Old Piston Rings
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Clean all ring grooves thoroughly with a squared-off broken ring or ring

groove cleaner with a blade to fit the piston grooves.

The top and 2nd ring grooves are 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) wide. The oil ring groove
is 2.0 mm (0.08 in.) wide. File down a blade if necessary. Do not use a wire
brush to clean the ring grooves, or cut the ring grooves deeper with the
cleaning tools.

4. Using a piston that has its rings removed, push a new ring (A) into the cylinder

bore 15-20 mm (0.6-0.8 in.) from the bottom.

NOTE:

If the piston is to be separated from the connecting rod,
do not install new rings yet.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

Fig. 44: Pushing Ring Into Cylinder Bore
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Measure the piston ring end-gap (B) with a feeler gauge:

If the gap is too small, check to see if you have the proper rings for your
engine.

If the gap is too large, recheck the cylinder bore diameter against the wear
limits (see BLOCK AND PISTON INSPECTION ). If the bore is
beyond the service limit, the engine block must be rebored.

Piston Ring End-Gap

Top Ring:

Standard (New): 0.20-0.35 mm (0.008-0.014 in.)

Service Limit: 0.60 mm (0.024 in.)

Second Ring:

Standard (New): 0.40-0.55 mm (0.016-0.022 in.)

Service Limit: 0.70 mm (0.028 in.)

Oil Ring:

Standard (New): 0.20-0.70 mm (0.008-0.028 in.)

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

Service Limit: 0.80 mm (0.031 in.)

6. Install the top ring and the second ring as shown. The top ring (A) has a 1T,

1A, or 1R mark, and the second ring (B) has a 2T, 2A, or 2R mark. The
manufacturing marks (C) must be facing upward.

Fig. 45: Identifying Top Ring And Second Ring
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

7. Rotate the rings in their grooves to make sure they do not bind.
8. Position the ring end gaps as shown:

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)