Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

1. Disable airbag system as described under Air Bags and Seat Belts / Air Bags (Supplemental Restraint Systems / Airbag System Disarming).
2. Disconnect battery ground cable, then drain cooling system.
3. Rotate crankshaft until No. 1 cylinder is at TDC.
4. Relieve fuel pressure, remove fuel filler cap, place shop towel over area, then slowly loosen service bolt on filter one turn at a time.
5. Remove air flow tube.
6. Remove fuel feed and charcoal canister hoses from intake manifold.
7. Remove throttle cable at throttle body.
8. On models with automatic transaxles, remove throttle control cable from throttle body.
9. On all models, disconnect fuel return hose and brake booster vacuum hose.
10. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:
a. Fuel injectors.
b. TA sensor.
c. EACV and throttle sensor.
d. Map sensor and ground cable.
e. TW switch and oxygen sensor.
f. TW sensor and temperature unit.
g. Spool valve (D15Z1 and D16Z engine).
h. Oil pressure switch (B16Z6, B15Z1 engine).
i. EGR lift sensor (B15Z1 engine).
11. Remove spark plug caps and distributor.
12. Remove engine ground cable on cylinder head cover.
13. Remove power steering belt, pump and bracket, then position aside. Do not disconnect pump hoses.
14. Disconnect emission vacuum hoses and water bypass hoses from intake manifold assembly.
15. Disconnect upper radiator hose and heater hose from cylinder head.
16. Disconnect water bypass hose from thermostat.
17. Remove intake manifold bracket, then remove self-locking nuts and disconnect exhaust manifold and pipe.
18. Remove exhaust manifold bracket, then disconnect PCV hose and remove cylinder head cover.
19. Remove timing belt upper cover. Loosen timing belt adjusting bolt 180° to release belt tension.
20. Push tensioner to release tension from timing belt, then retighten adjusting bolt.
21. Remove belt from cam pulley. Do not crimp or bend timing belt more than 90° or less than 1 inch in diameter.

Fig. 13 Cylinder Head Bolt Loosening Sequence. 1992 Civic:

22. Remove cylinder head attaching bolts in sequence, Fig. 13.. To prevent warpage, loosen bolts in sequence 1/3 turn at a time repeat until all bolts are loosened.
23. Separate cylinder head from block. Use an appropriate pry tool, if necessary.
24. Remove intake manifold and exhaust manifold from cylinder head.

Fig. 14 Cylinder Head Bolt Tightening Sequence. W/1.5L/4-91 (D15Z1) & 1.6L/4-97 (D16Z6) Engines:

Fig. 15 Cylinder Head Bolt Tightening Sequence. W/1.5L/4-91 (D15B7) And 1.5L/4-91 (D15B8) Engine:

25. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Clean cylinder head and engine mating surfaces prior to installation.
b. Turn crankshaft to No. 1 piston TDC.
c. Tighten intake and exhaust manifold nuts to specifications in crossing pattern in two or three steps beginning with inner nuts.
d. On 1.5L/4-91 (D15Z1) and 1.6L/4-97 (D16Z6) engine models, torque cylinder head attaching bolt in two steps; first to 22 ft. lbs., then to 53 ft lbs. in sequence, Fig. 14.
e. On 1.5L/4-91 (D15B7) and 1.5L/4-91 (D15B8) engine models, torque cylinder head attaching bolt in two steps; first to 22 ft. lbs., then to 47 ft lbs. in sequence, Fig. 15.
f. Adjust valve timing.
g. Rearm airbag.