Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Pilot, 2010 Honda Pilot, and 2009 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the connecting rod cap and the bearing half (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).
Clean the connecting rod journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.
Place a strip of plastigage across the rod journal.
Reinstall the bearing half and the cap, and tighten the connecting rod bolts to 20 N.m (2.0 kgf.m, 15 lbf.ft) +90°.
NOTE:
- Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads and flanges.
- Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.
Remove the rod cap and the bearing half and measure the widest part of the plastigage.
Connecting Rod Bearing-to-Journal Oil

Clearance

Standard (New): 0.020-0.044 mm (0.00079-0.00173 in)

Service Limit: 0.050 mm (0.00197 in)

Fig 1: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the upper half of the bearing, then install a new, complete bearing with the same color code, and recheck the clearance. Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.
If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color listed above or below that one), and check clearance again. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft and start over (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).