1996 ACURA RL KA9 torque

Service Precautions

Handling of Special Nuts and Bolts

Because the front sub frame sections on this vehicle are

constructed with aluminum alloys, use only the special

"Dacro" type nuts and bolts recommended by Acura.

NOTE:

Dacro finish can be identified by gray plating.

Some Dacro finish bolts have a green coating on the

thread section of the bolt for easier application. This

type of bolt is called a "Torquer" bolt.

Use of other types of nuts and bolts may cause elec-

trolysis and corrosion which in turn could cause the

bolt to loosen.

Gray plating

Green coating

on the threads

of some bolts.

Gray plating: "Dacro" type

Gray plating + Green coating on the threads:

"Torquer" type
1. When replacing nuts and bolts, use only the same

type.

2. Tighten the nuts and bolts with a torque wrench to

the specifications provided in this manual.

3. Clean all thread ridges with a non-wire-type bristle

brush. Foreign matter in the threads may cause the

bolt to loosen.

4. Sections on this vehicle requiring the use of Dacro

nuts and bolts will be indicated by a ( ) in this

manual.ProCarManuals.com

Planetary Gear Inspection

Check if the planetary gears are worn or damaged. If they

are, also check the condition of the armature shaft gear

and ring gear.

ARMATURE

SHAFT GEAR
RING

GEAR

PLANETARY GEARS
Overrunning Clutch Inspection

Slide the overrunning clutch along the shaft.

Does it move freely? If not, replace it.
1.

2.
Rotate the overrunning clutch both ways.

Does it lock in one direction and rotate smoothly in

reverse? If it does not lock in either direction or it

locks in both directions, replace it.

SHAFT

3.

4.
DRIVE GEAR

If the starter drive gear is worn or damaged, replace

the overrunning clutch assembly; the gear is not avail-

able separately.

Check the condition of the torque converter ring gear

if the starter drive gear teeth are damaged.ProCarManuals.com

Mount and Bracket Bolts/Nuts Torque Value Specifications:

10 x 1.25 mm bolts/nuts: 38 N-m (3.9 kgf-m, 28 Ibf-ft)

RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT

LEFT ENGINE MOUNT

RIGHT FRONT MOUNT

LEFT FRONT MOUNTProCarManuals.com

Camshaft

Inspection

NOTE:

• Do not rotate the camshaft during inspection.

• Remove the rocker arms and rocker shafts.

1. Put the camshaft and the camshaft holders on the

cylinder head, then tighten the bolts to the specified

torque.

Specified torque:

8 mm bolts: 22 N-m (2.2 kgf-m, 16 Ibf-ft)

6 mm bolts: 12 N-m (1.2 kgf-m, 8.7 Ibf-ft)

8 mm bolts:

2. Seat the camshaft by pushing it toward the rear of

the cylinder head.

3. Zero the dial indicator against the rear of the cam-

shaft. Push the camshaft back and forth, and read

the end play.

Camshaft End Play:

Standard (New): 0.05 - 0.15 mm

(0.002 - 0.006 in)

Service Limit: 0.15 mm (0.006 in)

CAMSHAFTProCarManuals.com

4. Remove the bolts, then remove the camshaft hold-

ers from the cylinder head.

5. Lift the camshaft out of the cylinder head, wipe it

clean, then inspect the lift ramps. Replace the

camshaft if any lobes are pitted, scored, or excessively

worn.

6. Clean the camshaft bearing surfaces in the cylinder

head, then set the camshaft back in place.

7. Place a plastigage strip across each journal.

8. Install the camshaft holders, then tighten the bolts

to the specified torque shown on the previous page.

9. Remove the camshaft holders. Measure the widest

portion of plastigage on each journal.

PLASTIGAGE STRIP
If camshaft-to-holder oil clearance is out of toler-

ance:

And the camshaft has already been replaced,

you must replace the cylinder head.

If the camshaft has not been replaced, first check

the total runout with the camshaft supported on

V-blocks.

Rotate camshaft

while measuring.

If the total runout of the camshaft is within toler-

ance, replace the cylinder head.

If the total runout is out of tolerance, replace the

camshaft and recheck. If the oil clearance is still

out of tolerance, replace the cylinder head.

11. Check cam lobe height wear.

Check this area for wear.
Cam Lobe Height Standard (New):

INTAKE 40.175 mm (1.5817 in)

EXHAUST 37.878 mm (1.4913 in)
Camshaft Total Runout:

Standard (New): 0.03 mm (0.001 in) max.

Service Limit: 0.04 mm (0.002 in)

Camshaft-to-Holder Oil Clearance:

Standard (New): 0.050 - 0.089 mm

(0.0020 - 0.0035 in)

Service Limit: 0.10 mm (0.004 in)ProCarManuals.com

2. Apply liquid gasket to the head mating surfaces of the

No. 1 and the No. 5 camshaft holders. Apply liquid

gasket to the shaded areas.

No. 5

No. 1

3. Tighten each bolt 2 turns at a time in the sequence

shown below to ensure that the rockers do not bind

on the valves.

Specified torque:

8 mm bolts: 22 N-m (2.2 kgf-m, 16 Ibf-ft)

6 mm bolts: 12 N-m (1.2 kgf-m, 8.7 Ibf-ft)

8 mm bolts:ProCarManuals.com

Cylinder Heads

Installation (cont'd)

4. Install the cylinder heads on the cylinder block.

5. Tighten the cylinder head bolts sequentially in 2 or

3 steps.

Specified Torque:

76 N-m (7.8 kgf-m, 56 Ibf-ft)

NOTE:

We recommend using a beam-type torque wrench.

When using a preset-type torque wrench, be sure

to tighten slowly and not to overtighten.

If a bolt makes any noise while you are torquing

it, loosen the bolt and retighten it.

CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS TORQUE SEQUENCE

CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS

Apply engine oil to the bolt

threads.
6. Install the head cover gasket in the groove of the

cylinder head cover. Seat the recesses for the cam-

shaft first, then work it into the groove around the

outside edges.

NOTE:

Before installing the cylinder head cover gasket,

thoroughly clean the seal and the groove.

When installing, make sure the head cover gasket

is seated securely in the corners of the recesses

with no gap.

CORNERS OF

THE RECESS
HEAD COVER

GASKET

Clean.
CORNERS OF

THE RECESS

CYLINDER

HEAD COVER

7. Apply liquid gasket to the head cover gasket at the

four corners of the recesses.

NOTE:

Use liquid gasket, Part No. 08718 - 0001 or 08718

- 0003.

Check that the mating surfaces are clean and dry

before applying liquid gasket.

Do not install the parts if five minutes or more have

elapsed since applying liquid gasket. Instead, reap-

ply liquid gasket after removing old residue.

After assembly, wait at least 30 minutes before

filling the engine with oil.

Apply liquid gasket to

the shaded areas.ProCarManuals.com

3. Stop after the ring compressor pops free, and check

the connecting rod-to-crank journal alignment

before pushing the piston into place.

4. Install the rod caps with bearings, and torque the

nuts to 44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 Ibf-ft).
RUBBER HOSES
CORRECT
Pistons

Installation

Before installing the piston, apply a coat of engine

oil to the ring grooves and cylinder bores.

1. Install the ring compressor, check that the bearing

is securely in place; then position the piston in the

cylinder and tap it in using the wooden handle of a

hammer.

2. Install the piston/connecting rod assemblies in the

cylinder block.

• Guide the piston carefully to prevent damage.

• Fit long rubber hoses (about 30 cm (12 in) long)

to the connecting rod bolts to protect the crank-

shaft.

• Install the pistons after setting the crankshaft to

BDC for each cylinder.

INCORRECT
The arrow must face

the timing belt side

of the engine and the

connecting rod oil hole

must face the right side

of the engine.

CONNECTING ROD

OIL HOLE

RUBBER

HOSE

NOTE: Maintain downward force on the ring com-

pressor to prevent the rings from expanding before

entering the cylinder bore.

Use the wooden handle

of a hammer to push, or

tap the piston into the

cylinder bore.

RING COMPRESSOR

(Commercially available)ProCarManuals.com