Timing chain replacement: Honda Civic FN, FK N22A

🧭 Before you start

Remove wipers, cowling, intake parts and ancillaries, support the engine and take off the torque rods, engine support and timing cover. Set cylinder 1 at TDC, lock and remove the tensioner, then the rail and chain. Fit the chain with coloured links on the marks, refit rail and tensioner, pull the pin and recheck TDC. Reseal the cover within the allowed time, refit the mounts with new bolts and wait before starting.

• Opens: coolant, engine oil
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking pin

Don't miss

• Keep the chain away from magnetic fields and mark its running direction if reused.
• Coloured links align with the crankshaft gearwheel mark and the camshaft gearwheel marks.
• Fit the timing cover within 5 minutes of applying sealant, without sliding it on the sump rim.
• Wait 3 hours before starting the engine.
• Torque rod and engine support M12 bolts are renewed.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
2. Keep the chain away from any magnetic fields
3. Remove the windscreen wipers
4. If the timing chain is to be re-used, mark the running direction before removal
5. Disconnect the windscreen washer hose

6. Remove the cowling
7. Remove the locking pin
8. Disconnect the wiring loom and move it aside
9. Remove the air filter housing
10. Remove the injectors
11. Remove the turbo bypass solenoid
12. Remove the solenoid bracket
13. Remove the cylinder head cover
14. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
15. Raise the vehicle
16. Remove the front right wheel
17. Remove the engine lower cover
18. Drain the cooling system
19. Drain the engine oil
20. Remove the ancillary drive belt
21. Remove the alternator
22. Without disconnecting the hoses, place the air-conditioning compressor aside
23. Remove the crankshaft pulley
24. Use the special tools
25. Remove the expansion tank
26. Support the engine
27. Remove the upper torque rod
28. Disconnect the engine support cross member earth connection
29. Remove the engine support
30. Remove the engine support bracket
31. Remove the timing chain cover
32. Remove the chain tensioner
33. Remove the chain tensioner rail
34. Remove the timing chain
35. Remove the turbocharger outlet pipe
36. Remove the lower torque rod
37. Remove the cover
38. Disconnect the sensor
39. Remove the wiring
40. Disconnect the oil pressure switch
41. Remove the oil pressure switch
42. Remove the dipstick
43. Remove the dipstick tube
44. Remove the air-conditioning compressor bracket
45. Remove the bolts shown
46. Remove the crankshaft pulley

Installation and checks

47. Refit the chain guide rail
48. Refit the oil pump chain tensioner
49. Note: The component must be fitted within 5 minutes of applying the sealant
50. Refit the crankshaft pulley
51. Turn the engine anti-clockwise to compress the tensioner
52. Lock the chain tensioner with a locking pin
53. or
54. Use a special tool
55. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to secure the locking pin
56. Tighten the bolts in several stages, in a criss-cross pattern
57. Refit the air-conditioning compressor bracket
58. Refit the dipstick tube
59. Renew the O-ring
60. Refit the dipstick
61. Lock the chain tensioner with a locking pin
62. Reconnect the oil pressure switch
63. Use a special tool
64. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to secure the locking pin
65. Reconnect the sensor
66. Refit the cover
67. Refit the lower torque rod bracket
68. Use new bolt(s)
69. Refit the lower torque rod
70. Use new bolt(s)
71. Tighten the bolts
72. Tighten the bolt slightly
73. Refit the turbocharger outlet pipe
74. Check that cylinder 1 is still at TDC
75. Check the crankshaft timing marks
76. Check the camshaft timing marks
77. Align the coloured chain link with the mark on the crankshaft gearwheel
78. Align the coloured chain links with the marks on the camshaft gearwheel
79. Refit the chain tensioner rail
80. Lubricate the bolts lightly using engine oil
81. Refit the chain tensioner
82. Remove the locking pin
83. Check for damage or wear
84. Renew if necessary
85. Use the special tools
86. Clean off the sealing surfaces
87. Apply sealant as indicated
88. Sealant:
89. Note: Do not slide the cover on the rim of the oil sump
90. Refit the timing cover
91. Note: The cover must be fitted within 5 minutes of applying the sealant
92. Wait 3 hours before starting the engine
93. Refit the engine support bracket
94. Refit the engine support earth cable
95. Refit the engine support
96. Use new bolt(s)
97. Loosen the nuts
98. Loosen the bolt
99. Tighten the bolt

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