Honda Element. Manual - part 477

Service Limit: 0.02 mm (0.0008 in.)

Fig. 38: Measuring Piston Pin-To-Connecting Rod Clearance 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

REASSEMBLY 

1. Install a piston pin snap ring (A) only one side. 

Fig. 39: Identifying Piston Pin Snap Ring 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

2. Coat the piston pin bore in the piston, the bore in the connecting rod, and the piston pin with new engine 

oil.  

3. Heat the piston to about 158 T (70°C). 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 40: Heating Piston 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

4. Assemble the piston (A) and connecting rod (B) with the arrow (C) and the embossed mark (D) on the 

same side. Install the piston pin (E). 

Fig. 41: Identifying Piston And Connecting Rod 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Install the remaining snap ring (F).  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

6. Turn the snap rings in the ring grooves until the end gaps are positioned at the bottom of the piston.  

PISTON RING REPLACEMENT 

1. Remove the piston from the engine block (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL ).  

2. Using a ring expander (A), remove the old piston rings (B). 

Fig. 42: Removing Piston Rings 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

3. Clean all ring grooves thoroughly with a squared-off broken ring or ring groove cleaner with a blade to fit 

the piston grooves. The top and 2nd ring grooves are 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) wide. The oil ring groove is 2.0 
mm (0.08 in.) wide. File down a blade if necessary. Do not use a wire brush to clean the ring grooves, or 
cut the ring grooves deeper with the cleaning tools. 

4. Using a piston that has its rings removed, push a new ring (A) into the cylinder bore 15-20 mm (0.6 -0.8 

in.) from the bottom. 

Fig. 43: Pushing Ring Into Cylinder Bore

NOTE:

If the piston is to be separated from the connecting rod, do not install new 
rings yet.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Measure the piston ring end-gap (B) with a feeler gauge: 



If the gap is too small, check to see if you have the proper rings for your engine.  



If the gap is too large, recheck the cylinder bore diameter against the wear limits (see BLOCK 
AND PISTON INSPECTION ). If the bore is beyond the service limit, the engine block must be 
rebored.  

Piston Ring End-Gap  

Top Ring:  

Standard (New) 0.20-0.35 mm (0.008-0.014 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.60 mm (0.024 in.)  

Second Ring:  

Standard (New): 0.40-0.55 mm (0.016-0.022 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.70 mm (0.028 in.)  

Oil Ring:  

Standard (New): 0.20-0.50 mm (0.008-0.020 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.80 mm (0.031 in.)  

6. Install the top ring and second ring as shown. The top ring (A) has a 1Z mark and the second ring (B) has 

a 2R mark. The manufacturing marks (C) must be facing upward. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element