Honda Element. Manual - part 393

Fig. 107: Heating Cylinder Head 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Working from the camshaft side, use the driver and an air hammer to drive the guide about 2 mm (0.1 in.) 

towards the combustion chamber. This will knock off some of the carbon and make removal easier. Hold 
the air hammer directly inline with the valve guide to prevent damaging the driver. Wear safety goggles 
or a face shield.  

6. Turn the head over, and drive the guide out toward the camshaft side of the head. 

Fig. 108: Driving Guide Out Toward Camshaft Side Of Head 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

7. If a valve guide won't move, drill it out with a 8 mm (5/16 in.) bit, then try again. Drill guides only in 

extreme cases, you could damage the cylinder head if the guide breaks.  

8. Take out the new guide(s) from the freezer, one at a time, as you need them.  

9. Apply a thin coat of new engine oil to the outside of the new valve guide. Install the guide from the 

camshaft side of the head, use the valve guide driver to drive the guide into the specified installed height 
(A) of the guide (B). If you have all 16 guides to do, you may have to reheat the head. 

Valve Guide Installed Height  

Intake: 15.2-16.2 mm (0.598-0.638 in.)  

Exhaust: 15.5-16.5 mm (0.610-0.650 in.)  

Fig. 109: Installing Guide From Camshaft Side Of Head 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

10. Coat both reamer and valve guide with cutting oil.  

11. Rotate the reamer clockwise the full length of the valve guide bore. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

Fig. 110: Rotating Reamer Clockwise 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

12. Continue to rotate the reamer clockwise while removing it from the bore.  

13. Thoroughly wash the guide in detergent and water to remove any cutting residue.  

14. Check the clearances with a valve (see VALVE INSPECTION ). Verify that a valve slides in the intake 

and exhaust valve guides without sticking.  

15. Inspect the valve seating. If necessary, renew the valve seat using a valve seat cutter (see VALVE SEAT 

RECONDITIONING ).  

VALVE SEAT RECONDITIONING 

1. Inspect valve stem-to-guide clearance (see VALVE INSPECTION ). If the valve guides are worn, 

replace them (see VALVE GUIDE REPLACEMENT ) before cutting the valve seats.  

2. Renew the valve seats in the cylinder head using a valve seat cutter. 

Fig. 111: Reaming Valve Seats In Cylinder Head 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

3. Carefully cut a 45° seat, removing only enough material to ensure a smooth and concentric seat.  

4. Bevel the upper and lower edges at the angles shown in the illustration. Check the width of the seat and 

adjust accordingly. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element

  

Fig. 112: Identifying Upper And Lower Edges At Angles 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Make one more very light pass with the 45° cutter to remove any possible burrs caused by the other 

cutters. 

Valve Seat Width  

Standard (New): 1.25-1.55 mm (0.049-0.061 in.)  

Service Limit: 2.00 mm (0.079 in.)  

6. After resurfacing the seat, inspect for even valve seating. Apply Prussian Blue compound (A) to the valve 

face. Insert the valve in its original location in the head, then lift it and snap it closed against the seat 
several times. 

Fig. 113: Identifying Prussian Blue Compound Applying Area 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

7. The actual valve seating surface (B), as shown by the blue compound, should be centered on the seat. 



If it is too high (closer to the valve stem), you must make a second cut with the 67.5° cutter to 
move it down, then one more cut with the 45° cutter to restore seat width.  



If it is too low (close to the valve edge), you must make a second cut with the 35° cutter (intake 
side) or the 30° cutter (exhaust side) to move it up, then make one more cut with the 45 "cutter to 
restore seat width.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE Cylinder Head - Element