Valve Clearance Adjustment — Honda CR-V (R20A)

How do you adjust the valve clearance on a Honda CR-V (3rd generation, R20A engine)? Follow the procedure below. If in doubt, check the detailed video at the bottom of the page and leave your comment on YouTube.

Good luck and happy maintenance!

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need:

• The valve cover removed (with a new gasket ready for reassembly)
• Access to the crankshaft pulley to turn the engine — Paulo uses a ratchet and socket on the crankshaft nut, but you can also turn it by pushing the car with fifth gear engaged
• The engine must be cold — Honda's specification assumes ambient temperature. If the engine has been running, wait a few hours

Clearance specification (cold engine)

Procedure

1. Turn the engine in its normal direction of rotation until the TDC mark aligns on cylinder 1 (compression TDC). Confirm by watching the valve overlap on cylinder 4 — both rocker arms should have both valves equally "loose".
2. With cylinder 1 at TDC, adjust:
   • The intake valves on cylinder 1 — 0,18 to 0,22 mm
   • The exhaust valves on cylinder 1 — 0,23 to 0,27 mm
3. Turn the crankshaft 180° (half a turn) and adjust cylinder 3
4. Turn it another 180° and adjust cylinder 4
5. Turn it another 180° and adjust cylinder 2
6. After finishing, turn the engine two full revolutions and check the clearance of every valve — any adjustment that moved while tightening the locknut may have changed
7. Use a feeler gauge of the specified thickness — it should fit snugly (you should feel it "drag") without forcing it
8. Reinstall the valve cover — Paulo recommends a new gasket if the old one has already been opened more than once or twice

Full channel video

👉 Or open it directly on the portal: Adjusting the Honda CR-V Valve Clearance at Home — [4K]

Same procedure on other cars featured on the channel

• Valve Clearance Adjustment — Honda Fit 1.4
• Valve Clearance Adjustment — Ford Ka Endura
• Valve Clearance Adjustment — VW Brasília (air-cooled engine)