Camshaft Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the cylinder head (see CYLINDER HEAD REMOVAL ).
Remove the rocker arm assembly (see ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY REMOVAL ).
Disassemble the rocker arm assembly (see ROCKER ARM AND SHAFT DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY ).
Front: Put the rocker shafts bridge and the rocker shaft holder on the front cylinder head, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
Specified Torque

8 x 1.25 mm: 22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 17 lbf.ft)

Fig 1: Identifying Front Cylinder Head Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Rear: Put the rocker shafts bridge and the rocker shaft holder on the rear cylinder head, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
Specified Torque

8 x 1.25 mm: 22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 17 lbf.ft)

Fig 2: Identifying Rear Cylinder Head Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Seat the camshaft by pushing it toward the rear of the cylinder head.
Zero the dial indicator against the end of the camshaft. Push the camshaft back and forth and read the end play. If the end play is beyond the service limit, replace the thrust cover and recheck. If it is still beyond the service limit, replace the cylinder head. If it is still beyond the service limit, replace the camshaft.
Camshaft End Play

Standard (New): 0.05-0.20 mm (0.0020-0.0079 in)

Service Limit: 0.20 mm (0.0079 in)

Fig 3: Measuring Camshaft End Play
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the camshaft thrust cover (A), then pull out the camshaft (B).

Fig 4: Identifying Camshaft Thrust Cover And Camshaft
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Wipe the camshaft clean, then inspect the lift ramps. Replace the camshaft if any lobes are pitted, scored, or excessively worn.
Measure the diameter of each camshaft journal.

Fig 5: Measuring Camshaft Journal Diameter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Zero the gauge to the journal diameter.

Fig 6: Setting Gauge To Zero In Journal Diameter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Clean the camshaft bearing surfaces in the cylinder head. Measure the inside diameter of each camshaft bearing surface, and check for an out-of-round condition.
- If the camshaft-to-holder clearance is within limits, go to step 14.
- If the camshaft-to-holder clearance is beyond the service limit and the camshaft has been replaced, replace the cylinder head.
- If the camshaft-to-holder clearance is beyond the service limit and the camshaft has not been replaced, go to step 13.
Camshaft-to-Holder Oil Clearance

Standard (New): 0.050-0.089 mm (0.00197-0.00350 in)

Service Limit: 0.15 mm (0.0059 in)

Fig 7: Measuring Camshaft-To-Holder Oil Clearance
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check total runout with the camshaft supported on V-blocks.
- If the total runout of the camshaft is within the service limit, replace the cylinder head.
- If the total runout is beyond the service limit, replace the camshaft and recheck the oil clearance. If the oil clearance is still out of tolerance, replace the cylinder head.
Camshaft Total Runout

Standard (New): 0.03 mm (0.0012 in) max.

Service Limit: 0.04 mm (0.0016 in)

Fig 8: Measuring Camshaft Total Runout
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Measure the cam lobe height. Cam Lobe Height Standard (New):

	INTAKE	EXHAUST
PRI	34.299 mm (1.35035 in)	36.760 mm (1.44724 in)
SEC	35.932 mm (1.41464 in)	36.760 mm (1.44724 in)

FRONT

Fig 9: Identifying Front Camshaft

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

REAR

Fig 10: Identifying Rear Camshaft

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Install the camshaft, rocker arm assembly, camshaft seal, and pulley (see CAMSHAFT, ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY, CAMSHAFT SEAL, AND PULLEY INSTALLATION ).