Main Bearing Clearance Inspection

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

Remove the bearing cap bridge and bearing halves (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).
Clean each main journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.
Place one strip of plastigage across each main journal.
Reinstall the bearings and bearing cap bridge, then tighten the bearing cap bolts to 25 N.m (2.5 kgf.m, 18 lbf.ft) in the proper sequence.
NOTE:
- Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads and flanges.
- Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.
Fig 1: Identifying Bearing Cap Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Tighten the bearing cap bolts an additional 40 °.
Remove the bearing cap bridge and bearings again, and measure the widest part of the plastigage.
Main Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance

Standard (New): 0.018-0.036 mm (0.0007-0.0014 in)

Service Limit: 0.050 mm (0.0020 in)

Fig 2: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
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 same color code(s), 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 again. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ) and start over.