Export Service Bulletin 00-073

Applies To: See VEHICLES AFFECTED April 2001

Product Update: Front Balancer Shaft Oil Seal

(Supersedes 00-073, dated November 2000)

BACKGROUND PARTS INFORMATION

The front balancer shaft oil seal may slowly come out of Front Balancer Shaft Oil Seal Retainer Kit:
the oil pump housing. If it comes out completely, the oil P/N 06923-P0A-306
can be pumped out of the engine rapidly without (Kit contains a retainer and an O-ring.)
warning, causing serious engine damage if you
continue to drive. NOTE: Early production kits also include a set of
installation instructions. These instructions are
incorrect; do not use them. Use only the procedure
VEHICLES AFFECTED in this service bulletin to install the kit.
Accord L4 2-door:
1994-95 All market destinations for LAC REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS
1996 KA market Accord L4/Odyssey/SOHC Prelude:
1997 KA market from Holder Attachment, 50 mm offset,
VIN 1HGCD7 . . . VA000001 thru T/N 07MAB-PY3010A
1HGCD7 . . . VA027988
DOHC Prelude:
Accord L4 4-door: Holder Attachment, 50 mm offset,
1994-95 All market destinations for LAC T/N 07NAB-001040A
1996 KA market ALL:
1997 KA market from
Holder Handle, T/N 07JAB-001020A
VIN 1HGCD5 . . . VA000001 thru
1HGCD5 . . . VA179728 Belt Tension Gauge, T/N 07JGG-0010100 or
07JGG-001010A
Accord L4 5-door: or
Gauge Set, T/N 07TGG-001000A
1994-95 All market destinations for LAC
1996 KA market
1997 KA market from WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
VIN 1HGCE1 . . . VpA000001thru NOTE: This campaign ends January 1, 2003. After that
1HGCE1 . . . VA008642 date, warranty claims for installation of a retainer, or
repairs required due to a failed oil seal, will not be
Prelude: accepted.
1994-95 All market destinations for LAC Flat Rate Time: 0.6 hour
Odyssey: Failed Part: P/N 06923-P0A-306
1994-95 All market destinations for LAC Defect Code: 747

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION REPAIR PROCEDURE

All owners of affected vehicles will be notified about this 1. Make sure you have the audio system anti-theft
product update campaign by the distributor/dealer. An code, if needed. Write down your customer’s radio
example of the customer notification is at the end of station presets.
this service bulletin. 2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
3. Remove the cylinder head cover. Remove the
CORRECTIVE ACTION middle cover (DOHC Prelude) or the upper cover
(all other affected models).
Install an oil seal retainer to keep the oil seal in place.

 2001 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved XTB 22312-22582 (0104) 1 of 4
4. Loosen the mounting hardware for the power 11. Remove the three mounting bolts from the lower
steering pump and the alternator. Then loosen the cover. Pry the bottom of the cover away from the
adjusting bolts 20 turns. block about 25 mm, and use a socket or similar tool
to hold it there.
5. Remove the power steering pump belt and the
alternator belt.
6. DOHC Prelude only: Remove the power steering
reservoir and the power steering pump, and set
them aside. Do not disconnect any power steering
fluid lines.
7. Remove the dipstick and the dipstick tube. Make
sure you cover the hole to keep debris out of the oil
pan.
LOWER
COVER

DIPSTICK
and
DIPSTICK
TUBE

Remove the
three lower
mounting bolts,
pry the cover
away from the
block,...

...and hold it
there with a
O-RING socket.
(Replace.)

8. Raise the vehicle, and remove the left front wheel.

9. Remove the mounting bolts from the driver’s side
half of the splash shield. Pull back the splash
shield, and secure it so you can access the
crankshaft pulley.
10. Use the special tools and a wrench to remove the
crankshaft pulley bolt, then remove the pulley.
CRANKSHAFT
PULLEY

WRENCH

HOLDER ATTACHMENT,
50 mm OFFSET
T/N 07MAB-PY3010A or
HOLDER HANDLE T/N 07NAB-001040A
T/N 07JAB-001020A (DOHC Prelude)

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12. Remove the oil pump housing bolt to the left and 21. Tighten the adjusting bolts for the alternator and the
below the front balancer shaft. power steering pump 20 turns, then torque the
mounting hardware as specified in the appropriate
shop manual. Use belt tension gauge T/N 07JGG-
0010100 or 07JGG-001010A, or Gauge Set T/N
07TGG-001000A to check for proper belt tension.
NOTE: An over-tensioned belt will cause crankshaft
failure, usually within a few thousand kilometers.
Make sure the belt tension is correct before
releasing the vehicle to your customer.
Accord L4 without A/C:
Alternator belt – 294 to 441 N (30 to 45 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 390 to 540 N
(40 to 55 kg)
OIL SEAL
RETAINER Accord L4 with A/C:
Alternator belt – 441 to 588 N (45 to 60 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 390 to 540 N
(40 to 55 kg)
Odyssey:
Alternator belt – 441 to 588 N (45 to 60 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 390 to 540 N
(40 to 55 kg)
OIL PUMP
HOUSING
BOLT SOHC Prelude without A/C:
Alternator belt – 300 to 450 N (31 to 46 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 350 to 500 N
OIL SEAL (36 to 51 kg)
RETAINER
SHOWN SOHC Prelude with A/C:
INSTALLED
Alternator belt – 294 to 441 N (30 to 45 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 350 to 500 N
(36 to 51 kg)
13. Install the oil seal retainer from the kit on the pump
housing with the bolt you just removed. Torque the DOHC Prelude:
bolt to 12 N·m. Alternator belt – 390 to 540 N (40 to 55 kg)
Power steering pump belt – 390 to 540 N
14. Reinstall the lower cover bolts, making sure the
(40 to 55 kg)
rubber seal seats properly in the cover. Torque the
bolts to 12 N·m.
22. Reinstall the upper or middle cover. Torque the
15. Reinstall the crankshaft pulley. Use the special bolts to 12 N·m.
tools and a torque wrench to torque the pulley bolt
to 245 N·m. Make sure you use a torque wrench; do 23. Reinstall the cylinder head cover. Torque the
not use an impact wrench. mounting hardware sequentially in two or three
steps as specified in the appropriate shop manual.
16. Reinstall the splash shield mounting bolts. Torque
the bolts to 12 N·m. 24. Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.

17. Reinstall the left front wheel. Torque the wheel nuts 25. Enter the audio system anti-theft code, then enter
to 108 N·m. your customer’s radio station presets. Set the clock.

18. Reinstall the dipstick tube with the new O-ring from 26. Center-punch a completion mark above the last
the kit. Torque the bolt to 12 N·m. Reinstall the character of the engine compartment VIN.
dipstick. Center-punch here.

19. DOHC Prelude only: Reinstall the power steering

reservoir and the power steering pump.
1HGCDXXXXXXXXXXXX
20. Reinstall the alternator belt and the power steering
pump belt.

00-073 3 of 4
 Example of Customer Letter

November 2000

Product Update Campaign: Engine Oil Leak

Dear Honda Owner:

We have sent this letter to notify you of a potential problem
with your Honda vehicle.
What is the problem?
The balancer shaft oil seal, located in the front of the
engine, may slowly come out of the oil pump housing. If
it comes out completely, the oil can be pumped out of
the engine rapidly without warning, causing serious
engine damage if you continue to drive.
What should you do?
Call any authorized Honda distributor/dealer, and make
an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. They will
install a retainer that keeps the seal in place. This repair
will be done free of charge. This applies until January 1,
2003. After that date, installation of a retainer or repairs
required due to a failed oil seal are at your own
expense.
What if you had this repaired previously?
Even if you are certain you had a balancer shaft oil seal
replaced sometime in the past, contact an authorized
Honda distributor/dealer, and make an appointment.
They will inspect your vehicle, and install a retainer if
one has not already been installed.
What to do if you feel this notice is in error.
Our records show that you are the current owner of a
Honda vehicle involved in this campaign. If this is not
the case, or the name/address information is incorrect,
please notify your selling distributor/dealer.
If you have questions.
If you have any questions about this notice, or need
assistance with contacting a Honda distributor/dealer,
please call (enter distributor/dealer name and phone
number).
Thank you for your cooperation. We regret any
inconvenience this may cause you.
Sincerely,
(Enter distributor/dealer name and address.)

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