LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Honda >> 2021 >> Civic EX-L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Engine Control Systems >> Engine Control / Engine Mechanical - Testing & Troubleshooting >> Repair Regeneration >> Valve Seat Reconditioning (1.5L Engine) >> Reconditioning
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Valve Seat Reconditioning (1.5L Engine): Reconditioning

WARNING: 

Please carefully read "Precaution for Handling Sodium-Filled Valves" and follow the instructions as the exhaust valves contain metal sodium .

  1. Valve Seat - Reconditioning
    GHH407164Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    1. Inspect valve stem-to-guide clearance . If the valve guides are worn, replace them

    before cutting the valve seats.

    2. Renew the valve seats in the cylinder head using a valve seat cutter.

    3. Carefully cut a 45 deg. seat, removing only enough material to ensure a smooth and concentric seat.

    4. Bevel the upper and lower edges at the angles shown in the illustration. Check the width of the seat and adjust accordingly.

    GHH407165Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    5. Make one more very light passes with the 45 deg. cutter to remove any possible burrs caused by the other cutters.

    Valve Seat Width (Intake/Exhaust) 
    Standard (New):  1.25-1.55 mm (0.0492-0.0610 in) 
    Service Limit:  2.00 mm (0.0787 in) 
    GHH407166Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    6. After resurfacing the seat, inspect for even valve seating: Apply Prussian Blue compound (A) to the valve face. Insert the valve in its original location in the head, then lift it and snap it closed against the seat several times.

    7. The actual valve seating surface (B), as shown by the blue compound, should be centered on the seat:

    • If it is too high (closer to the valve stem), you must make a second cut with the 60 deg. cutter to move it down, then one more cut with the 45 deg. cutter to restore seat width.
    • If it is too low (close to the valve edge), you must make a second cut with the 30 deg. cutter to move it up, then make one more cut with the 45 deg. cutter to restore seat width.

    NOTE:  The final cut should always be made with the 45 deg. cutter.

    8. Insert the intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head, and measure the valve stem installed height (A).

    Intake Valve Stem Installed Height 
    Standard (New):  53.40-54.40 mm (2.1024-2.1417 in) 
    Service Limit:  54.60 mm (2.1496 in) 
    Exhaust Valve Stem Installed Height 
    Standard (New):  45.90-46.90 mm (1.8071-1.8465 in) 
    Service Limit:  47.10 mm (1.8543 in) 
    GHH407167Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    9. If the valve stem installed height is over the service limit, replace the valve and recheck. If it is still over the service limit, replace the cylinder head; the valve seat in the head is too deep.