Honda Element. Manual - part 471

3. Measure the connecting rod end play with a feeler gauge between the connecting rod and crankshaft. 

Connecting Rod End Play  

Standard (New): 0.15-0.35 mm (0.006-0.014 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.40 mm (0.016 in.)  

Fig. 4: Measuring Connecting Rod End Play With Feeler Gauge 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

4. If the connecting rod end play is beyond the service limit, install a new connecting rod, and recheck. If it 

is still beyond the service limit, replace the crankshaft (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON 
REMOVAL ).  

5. Push the crankshaft firmly away from the dial indicator, and zero the dial against the end of the 

crankshaft. Then pull the crankshaft firmly back toward the indicator, the dial reading should not exceed 
the service limit. 

Crankshaft End Play  

Standard (New): 0.10-0.35 mm (0.004-0.014 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.45 mm (0.018 in.)  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 5: Checking Crankshaft End Play 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

6. If the crankshaft end play is beyond the service limit, replace the thrust washers and recheck. If it is still 

beyond the service limit, replace the crankshaft (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).  

CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING REPLACEMENT 

MAIN BEARING CLEARANCE INSPECTION 

1. To check main bearing-to-journal oil clearance, remove the lower block and bearing halves (see 

CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).  

2. Clean each main journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.  

3. Place one strip of plastigage across each main journal.  

4. Reinstall the bearings and lower block, then torque the bolts to 30 N.m (3.0 kgf.m, 22 lbf.ft). 

NOTE:

Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 6: Identifying Crankshaft Torque Bolts Sequence 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Tighten the bearing cap bolts an additional 56°.  

6. Remove the lower block and bearings again, and measure the widest part of the plastigage. 

Main Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance  

No. 1, 2, 4, 5 Journals:  

Standard (New): 0.017 - 0.041 mm (0.0007 - 0.0016 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.050 mm (0.0020 in.)  

No. 3 Journal: Standard (New): 0.025 - 0.049 mm (0.0010 - 0.0019 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.055 mm (0.0022 in.)  

Fig. 7: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

7. 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 appropriate color code(s), and recheck the clearance. 
Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.  

8. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color 

listed above or below the current one), and check again. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by 
using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft and start over.  

MAIN BEARING SELECTION 

Crankshaft Bore Code Location 

1. Numbers letters, or bars have been stamped on the end of the engine block as a code for the size of each 

of the five main journal bores. Write down the crank bore codes. If you can't read the codes because of 
accumulated dirt and dust, do not scrub them with a wire brush or scraper. Clean them only with solvent 
or detergent. 

Fig. 8: Identifying Crankshaft Bore Code Location 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Main Journal Code Location  

2. The main journal codes are stamped on the crankshaft in either location. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element