Engine Installation

Special Tools Required 

• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016
• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019

  These special tools are available through Acura Tool and Equipment Program, 1-888-424-6857

  1. Install the engine mount brackets and accessory brackets, and tighten their bolts to the specified torques.
     Fig 1: Engine Brackets With Torque Specifications

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  2. Position the engine/transmission under the vehicle. Be sure that they are properly aligned. Carefully lower the vehicle until the engine/transmission are properly positioned in the engine compartment. Make sure the vehicle is not resting on any part of the engine/transmission. Support the engine/transmission with a chain hoist (A) and carefully raise the engine/transmission into place.
     NOTE: Reinstall the mounting bolts/support nuts in the sequence given in the following steps. Failure to follow this sequence may cause excessive noise and vibration, and reduce engine mount life.
     Fig 2: Identifying Chain Hoist (A)

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  3. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566) to the vehicle.
     Fig 3: Installing Engine Support Hanger To Vehicle

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  4. Install the engine with the engine support hanger and engine balancer bar (VSB02C000019). Attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with a spacer (B) and the connector bracket bolt (10 x 1.25 mm) (C). Attach the rear arm (D) to the rear cylinder head with the harness clamp bracket bolt (8 x 1.25 mm) (E).
  5. Install mounting bolts into the upper half of the side engine mount bracket. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
     Fig 4: Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  6. Install the transmission upper mount bracket (A), then tighten the bolts the numbered sequence shown.

     M/T model: 

     Fig 5: M/T Model Upper Mount Bracket (A) And Bolts With Torque Specifications

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

     A/T model: 

     Fig 6: A/T Model Upper Mount Bracket (A) And Bolts With Torque Specifications

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Remove the chain hoist, then raise the vehicle on the hoist to full height.
  8. Using the subframe adapter (A) and a jack, raise the front subframe up to the body.
     Fig 7: Subframe Adapter (A) With Torque Specifications

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  9. Loosely install the new front subframe mounting bolts (four) (B), the 12 x 1.25 mm bolts (four) (C) (D), and the stiffeners (E).
  10. Loosely install the subframe middle mount.
      Fig 8: Installing Subframe Middle Mount With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  11. Remove the jack and special tool.
  12. Align the reference marks (A) with edge (B) of both rear stiffener (C), and tighten the rear subframe mounting bolts, then front bolts, and tighten the stiffener bolts to the specified torque.
      Fig 9: Aligning Reference Marks (A) With Edge (B) Of Stiffener (C)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  13. Tighten the bolts securing the subframe mid-mounts.
  14. Tighten the nuts securing the transmission lower front mount and transmission lower rear mount.
      Fig 10: Nuts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  15. Lower the vehicle on the hoist.
  16. M/T model: Install the shift cable, and tighten the two bolts securing the shift cable bracket.
      Fig 11: Bolts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  17. Install the vacuum hose (A).
      Fig 12: Vacuum Hose (A), Rear Engine Mount Bolt (B) And Rear Engine Mount Stop (C) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  18. Tighten the rear engine mount bolt (B), then install the rear engine mount stop (C).
  19. M/T model: Tighten the two bolts securing the rear engine damper.
      Fig 13: Bolts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  20. Tighten the front engine mount bolt (A), then install the front engine mount stop (B).
      Fig 14: Front Engine Mount Stop (B) And Front Engine Mount Bolt (A) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  21. Loosen the mounting bolts for the upper half of the side engine mount bracket, then retighten them to specified torque.
      Fig 15: Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  22. Loosen the mounting bolt for the transmission upper mount bracket (A), then retighten the bolts in the numbered sequence shown.

      M/T model: 

      Fig 16: M/T Model Upper Mount Bracket (A) And Bolts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

      A/T model: 

      Fig 17: A/T Model Upper Mount Bracket (A) And Bolts With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  23. Install the vacuum hose (B) and the ground cable (C).
  24. Remove the engine support hanger and engine hanger balancer bar.
  25. Raise the vehicle on the hoist to full height.
  26. Connect the power steering pressure switch connector.
      Fig 18: Connecting Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  27. Install the power steering (P/S) hose.
      Fig 19: Installing Power Steering Hose

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  28. Install exhaust pipe A using new gaskets (B) and new self locking nuts (C).
      Fig 20: Exhaust Pipe, Gaskets (B) And Self Locking Nuts (C) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  29. A/T model: Install the shift cable (see step 26 on TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION ).
  30. Install a new set ring on the end of each driveshaft, then install the driveshaft. Make sure each ring "clicks" into place in the differential and intermediate shaft.
  31. Connect the suspension lower arm ball joints (see step 9 on LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
  32. Connect the tie-rod end ball joints (see step 27 on STEERING GEARBOX INSTALLATION ).
  33. Install the damper fork (see step 2 on INSTALLATION ).
  34. Connect the stabilizer links (see STABILIZER LINK REPLACEMENT ).
  35. Install the splash shield.
      Fig 21: Installing Splash Shield With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  36. Install the engine under cover.
      Fig 22: Installing Engine Under Cover

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  37. Install the front wheels.
      NOTE: On M/T model, be careful not to damage or chip the paint of the brake calipers when installing the wheels.
  38. Lower the vehicle on the hoist.
  39. Install the heater hoses.
      Fig 23: Installing Heater Hoses

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  40. Install the upper radiator hose (A) and lower radiator hose (B).
      Fig 24: Installing Upper Radiator Hose (A) And Lower Radiator Hose (B)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  41. Install the A/C compressor.
      Fig 25: Installing A/C Compressor With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  42. Install the A/C condenser fan shroud assembly (A) and coolant reservoir (B), then connect the A/C condenser fan motor connector (C) and A/C compressor clutch connector (D).
      Fig 26: Fan Shroud Assembly (A), Coolant Reservoir (B), Fan Motor Connector (C) And Clutch Connector (D) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  43. Align the reference mark (A) on the steering joint and steering gearbox pinion shaft. Connect the steering joint (B) to the steering gearbox pinion shaft (C). Tighten the steering joint bolt.
      Fig 27: Reference Mark (A), Steering Joint (B) And Steering Gearbox Pinion Shaft (C) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  44. Install the steering joint cover (D).
  45. Install the P/S pump outlet hose (A) with a new O-ring (B).
      Fig 28: P/S Pump Outlet Hose (A) And O-Ring (B) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  46. Install the P/S hose (C) to the clamp (D).
  47. Install the P/S fluid reservoir to the clamp, then install the return hose.
      Fig 29: Installing P/S Fluid Reservoir To Clamp

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  48. Install the drive belt (see DRIVE BELT INSPECTION ).
  49. M/T model: Install the clutch slave cylinder and clutch line bracket mounting bolt (see step 34 on TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION ).
  50. M/T model: Install the shift cable and select cable, then tighten the three bolts securing the shift cable holder (see step 36 on TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION ).
  51. Connect the engine wire harness connectors (A), then install the harness clamp (B).
      Fig 30: Identifying Engine Wire Harness Connectors (A) And Harness Clamp (B)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  52. Install the brake booster vacuum hose (A), and evaporative emission (EVAP) canister hose (B).
      Fig 31: Identifying Brake Booster Vacuum Hose (A) And EVAP Canister Hose (B)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  53. Connect the fuel feed hose (see FUEL LINE/QUICK-CONNECT FITTING INSTALLATION ), then install the quick-connect fitting cover (A).
      Fig 32: Installing Quick-Connect Fitting Cover (A)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  54. Install the strut brace (A), then install the harness clamp (B), and install the two 6 mm bolts (C).
      Fig 33: Strut Brace (A), Harness Clamp (B) And Bolts (C) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  55. Install the underhood fuse/relay box (A), and connect the harness connector (B).
      Fig 34: Under-Hood Fuse/Relay Box (A), Harness Connector (B) And Battery Cables (C) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  56. Install the battery cables (C).
  57. Install the battery base (A), then install the harness clamp (B).
      Fig 35: Battery Base (A) And Harness Clamp (B) With Torque Specifications

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  58. Install the air cleaner housing (see AIR CLEANER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
  59. Install the resonator (see RESONATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
  60. Install the intake manifold cover.
      Fig 36: Identifying Intake Manifold Cover

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  61. Install the battery. Clean the battery posts and cable terminals with sandpaper, then assemble them and apply grease to prevent corrosion.
  62. A/T model: Move the shift lever to each gear, and verify that the A/T gear position indicator follows the transmission range switch.
  63. M/T model: Check that the transmission shifts into gear smoothly.
  64. Inspect for fuel leaks. Turn the ignition switch ON (II) (do not operate the starter) so the fuel pump runs for about 2 seconds and pressurizes the fuel line. Repeat this operation two or three times, then check for fuel leakage at any point in the fuel line.
  65. Refill the engine with engine oil (see OIL PRESSURE TEST ).
  66. Refill the transmission with fluid:
      • Manual transmission (see MANUAL TRANSMISSION )
      • Automatic transmission (see ATF REPLACEMENT )
  67. Refill reservoir with the power steering fluid (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
  68. Refill the radiator with engine coolant, and bleed the air from the cooling system with the heater valve open (see step 8 on COOLANT CHECK ).
  69. Bleed air from the P/S system, if necessary, add the fluid (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
  70. Check the front wheel alignment, if necessary, adjust it (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).
  71. Do the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) reset procedure (see HDS CLEAR COMMAND ).
  72. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).
  73. Do the crankshaft position (CKP) pattern clear/CKP pattern learn procedure (see CRANK (CKP) PATTERN CLEAR/CRANK (CKP) PATTERN LEARN ).
  74. Inspect the idle speed (see IDLE SPEED INSPECTION ).
  75. Inspect the ignition timing (see IGNITION TIMING INSPECTION ).
  76. Install the right rear engine compartment cover (A), then install the right side engine compartment cover (B).
      Fig 37: Installing Right Rear Engine Compartment Cover (A) And Right Side Engine Compartment Cover (B)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  77. Install the left rear engine compartment cover (A) and the left side engine compartment cover (B).
      Fig 38: Installing Left Rear Engine Compartment Cover (A) And Left Side Engine Compartment Cover (B)

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  78. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system, then enter the audio presets.
  79. Set the clock.