General Information

This Section of the Chapter covers in-situ (engine installed in vehicle) repair of the 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 2.3 L and fuel injection. All procedures that require engine removal are covered in the Engine Removal and Installation and Major Overhaul Section of this Chapter.

Two engine versions are used in the Honda Accord models covered: 2.3 L. The F23A5 engine is the base version, while the F23A1 and F23A4 engines are essentially the same design equipped with one of two variations of the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system (see Rocker Arm Assembly Removal, Inspection and Installation).

Most of the procedures in this Section are written on the assumption that the engine remains in its normal position in the engine compartment. Therefore, if the engine has already been removed and installed on a workbench or engine stand, many of the steps described may be omitted.

All 4-cylinder engines covered are equipped with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) and 16 valves (4 per cylinder). The engine is of compact design, with the main components, the cylinder block and cylinder head, made of lightweight aluminum alloy. The engine includes two balance shafts, the main purpose of which is to reduce vibration caused by reciprocating forces acting on the pistons and crankshaft.

The crankshaft is supported in main bearings, whose caps are secured to the block by a common bearing ladder. The fourth main bearing is the thrust bearing and also controls crankshaft end play.

The pistons are fitted with two compression rings and one oil control ring. The semi-floating piston pins are pressed into the connecting rod small ends. The connecting rod big ends contain replaceable connecting rod bearing inserts.

The engine has liquid cooling with a centrifugal rotor-type water pump driven by the timing belt. Coolant circulates through internal passages in the engine, surrounding the cylinders and combustion chambers, and also flows through passages provided in the intake manifold.

Lubrication of the internal engine components is provided by a gear-type oil pump located at the front of the engine under the timing belt cover. The inner pump rotor is driven directly from the crankshaft. Oil is drawn from the oil pan through a mesh-type strainer, then passed through a full-flow cartridge-type oil filter mounted on the side of the engine facing the rear bulkhead of the engine compartment.