Honda Element. Manual — part 471

3. Measure the connecting rod end play with a feeler gauge between the connecting rod and crankshaft.

Connecting Rod End Play

Standard (New): 0.15-0.35 mm (0.006-0.014 in.)

Service Limit: 0.40 mm (0.016 in.)

Fig. 4: Measuring Connecting Rod End Play With Feeler Gauge
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. If the connecting rod end play is beyond the service limit, install a new connecting rod, and recheck. If it

is still beyond the service limit, replace the crankshaft (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON
REMOVAL ).

5. Push the crankshaft firmly away from the dial indicator, and zero the dial against the end of the

crankshaft. Then pull the crankshaft firmly back toward the indicator, the dial reading should not exceed
the service limit.

Crankshaft End Play

Standard (New): 0.10-0.35 mm (0.004-0.014 in.)

Service Limit: 0.45 mm (0.018 in.)

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

Fig. 5: Checking Crankshaft End Play
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. If the crankshaft end play is beyond the service limit, replace the thrust washers and recheck. If it is still

beyond the service limit, replace the crankshaft (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).

CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING REPLACEMENT

MAIN BEARING CLEARANCE INSPECTION

1. To check main bearing-to-journal oil clearance, remove the lower block and bearing halves (see

CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).

2. Clean each main journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.

3. Place one strip of plastigage across each main journal.

4. Reinstall the bearings and lower block, then torque the bolts to 30 N.m (3.0 kgf.m, 22 lbf.ft).

NOTE:

Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

Fig. 6: Identifying Crankshaft Torque Bolts Sequence
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Tighten the bearing cap bolts an additional 56°.

6. Remove the lower block and bearings again, and measure the widest part of the plastigage.

Main Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance

No. 1, 2, 4, 5 Journals:

Standard (New): 0.017 - 0.041 mm (0.0007 - 0.0016 in.)

Service Limit: 0.050 mm (0.0020 in.)

No. 3 Journal: Standard (New): 0.025 - 0.049 mm (0.0010 - 0.0019 in.)

Service Limit: 0.055 mm (0.0022 in.)

Fig. 7: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

7. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the crankshaft, and remove the upper half of

the bearing. Install a new, complete bearing with the appropriate color code(s), and recheck the clearance.
Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.

8. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color

listed above or below the current one), and check again. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by
using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft and start over.

MAIN BEARING SELECTION

Crankshaft Bore Code Location

1. Numbers letters, or bars have been stamped on the end of the engine block as a code for the size of each

of the five main journal bores. Write down the crank bore codes. If you can't read the codes because of
accumulated dirt and dust, do not scrub them with a wire brush or scraper. Clean them only with solvent
or detergent.

Fig. 8: Identifying Crankshaft Bore Code Location
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Main Journal Code Location

2. The main journal codes are stamped on the crankshaft in either location.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element