Honda Element. Manual - part 472

Fig. 9: Identifying Main Journal Code Location 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

3. Use the crank bore codes and crank journal codes to select the appropriate replacement bearings from the 

following table. 

NOTE:



The color code is on the edge of the bearing.  



When using bearing halves of different colors, it does not matter 
which color is used in the top or bottom. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

CONNECTING ROD BEARING REPLACEMENT 

ROD BEARING CLEARANCE INSPECTION 

1. Remove the oil pump (see OIL PUMP REMOVAL ).  

2. Remove the baffle plates (see step 8 ).  

3. Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half.  

4. Clean the crankshaft rod journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.  

5. Place plastigage across the rod journal.  

6. Reinstall the bearing half and connecting rod cap, and torque the bolts to 20 N.m (2.0 kgf.m, 15 lbf.ft) + 

90° using a commercially available torque angle gauge. 

7. Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half, and measure the widest part of the plastigage. 

Connecting Rod Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance  

Standard (New): 0.020-0.050 mm (0.0008-0.0020 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.060 mm (0.0024 in.)

Fig. 10: Crank Bore Codes And Crank Journal Codes Chart 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

NOTE:

Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 11: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

8. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, 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.  

9. 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 clearance again. If the proper clearance cannot be 
obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearing, replace the crankshaft and start over.  

CONNECTING ROD BEARING SELECTION 

1. Inspect each connecting rod for cracks and heat damage. 

Connecting Rod Big End Bore Code Locations  

2. Each rod has a tolerance range from 0 to 0.024 mm (0.0009 in.), and in 0.006 mm (0.0002 in.) 

increments, depending on the size of its big end bore. It's then stamped with a number or bar (1, 2, 3, or 
4/I, II, III, or IIII) indicating the range. You may find any combination of numbers and bars in any engine. 
(Half the number or bar is stamped on the bearing cap, the other half is on the rod.) 

If you can't read the code because of an accumulation of oil and varnish, do not scrub them with a wire 
brush or scraper. Clean them only with solvent or detergent. 

Normal Bore Size: 51.0 mm (2.01 in.)

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 12: Identifying Connecting Rod Big End Bore Size 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Connecting Rod Journal Code Location  

3. The connecting rod journal codes are stamped on the crankshaft in either location. 

Fig. 13: Identifying Connecting Rod Journal Code Location

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element