Honda Element. Manual - part 378

compression. 



Damaged or worn valves and seats  



Damaged cylinder head gasket  



Damaged or worn piston rings  



Damaged or worn piston and cylinder bore  

13. Remove the compression gauge from the spark plug hole.  

14. Install the four spark plugs (see SPARK PLUG INSPECTION ).  

15. Install the four ignition coils (see IGNITION COIL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).  

16. Select the ECM/PCM reset (see IF THE MIL DID NOT STAY ON ) to cancel ALL INJECTORS OFF 

FUNCTION on the HDS.  

VTEC ROCKER ARM TEST 

Special Tools Required  



Air pressure regulator 07AAJ-PNAA101  



VTEC air adapter 07ZAJ-PNAA101  



VTEC air stopper 07ZAJ-PNAA200  



Air joint adapter 07ZAJ-PNAA300  

1. Start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes, then turn the ignition switch OFF.  

2. Remove the cylinder head cover (see CYLINDER HEAD COVER REMOVAL ).  

3. Set the No. 1 piston at top dead center (TDC) (see step 4 ).  

4. Verify that the intake primary rocker arm (A) moves independently of the intake secondary rocker arm 

(B). 



If the intake primary rocker arm moves freely, go to step 5.  



If the intake primary rocker arm does not move, remove the primary and secondary rocker arms as 
an assembly and check that the pistons in the secondary and primary rocker arms move smoothly 
(see ROCKER ARM AND SHAFT INSPECTION ). If any rocker arm needs replacing, replace 
the primary and secondary rocker arms as an assembly, and test. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

Fig. 6: Identifying Intake Primary Rocker Arm
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Repeat step 4 on the remaining intake primary rocker arms with each piston at TDC. When all the 

primary rocker arms pass the test, go to step 6.  

6. Inspect the valve clearance (see VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT ).  

7. Check that the air pressure on the shop air compressor gauge indicates over 400 kPa (4.0 kgf/cm

2

 , 57 

psi).  

8. Remove the sealing bolt (A) from the relief hole, and install the VTEC air stopper (B). 

Fig. 7: Identifying Sealing Bolt From Relief Hole 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

9. Remove the No. 2 and No. 3 camshaft holder bolts, and install the VTEC air adapters (C) finger-tight.  

10. Connect the air joint adapter (D) and air pressure regulator (E).  

11. Loosen the valve on the regulator, and apply the specified air pressure. 

Specified Air Pressure:  

290 kPa (3.0 kgf/cm

2

 , 42 psi) 

 

12. With the specified air pressure applied, move the intake primary rocker arm (A) for the No. 1 cylinder. 

The primary rocker arm and secondary rocker arm (B) should move together. 

If the intake secondary rocker arm does not move, remove the primary and secondary rocker arms as an 

NOTE:

If the rocker arm piston does not move after applying air pressure, move 
the primary or secondary rocker arm up and down manually by rotating 
the crankshaft clockwise.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

assembly, and check that the pistons in the primary and secondary rocker arms move smoothly (see 
ROCKER ARM AND SHAFT INSPECTION ). If any rocker arm needs replacing, replace the primary 
and secondary rocker arms as an assembly, and test. 

Fig. 8: Identifying Intake Primary Rocker Arm 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 for the remaining cylinders. Be sure to set the cylinder's piston at TDC before 

beginning work.  

14. Remove the VTEC air stopper and VTEC air adapters.  

15. Torque the camshaft holder mounting bolts to 22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 16 lbf.ft).  

16. Torque the sealing bolt to 20 N.m (2.0 kgf.m, 15 lbf.ft).  

17. Install the cylinder head cover (see CYLINDER HEAD COVER INSTALLATION ).  

VTC ACTUATOR INSPECTION 

1. Remove the cam chain (see CAM CHAIN REMOVAL ).  

2. Loosen the rocker arm adjusting screws (see step 2 ).  

3. Remove the camshaft holders (see step 3 ).  

4. Remove the intake camshaft.  

5. Check that the variable valve timing control (VTC) actuator is locked by turning the VTC actuator 

counterclockwise. If not locked, turn the VTC actuator clockwise until it stops, then recheck it. If it is still 
not locked, replace the VTC actuator.  

6. Seal the advance holes (A) and retard holes (B) in the No. 1 camshaft journal with tape. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

Fig. 9: Identifying Advance Holes And Retard Holes 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

7. Punch a hole in the tape over one of the advance holes.  

8. Apply air to the advance hole to release the lock. 

Fig. 10: Applying Air To Advance Hole To Release Lock 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

9. Check that the VTC actuator moves smoothly. If the VTC actuator does not move smoothly, replace the 

VTC actuator. 

Fig. 11: Checking VTC Actuator Movement

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element