Honda2001–2006

Civic 2.0 Type R: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

10 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, five concern the engine and fuel system and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

5 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Poor engine performance

Affects All models with VTEC engine.

Symptoms

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Trouble codes stored in engine control module (ECM) fault memory: 22-4.

Cause

Engine oil level incorrect.

Oil supply pressure to variable valve timing (VVT) system too low.

Repair

Top up engine oil to correct level.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Poor starting

Affects All models with 2.0 petrol engines: Accord: VIN →JHMCL7***3C207758/JHMCM1***3C201246. Civic: VIN →SHHEV1***3U001577. CR-V: VIN →SHSRD8***3U118460. Stream: VIN →JHMRN3***3C202964.

Symptoms

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Engine misfire. Engine rattles.

Cause

Poor manufacture of camshaft(s) resulting in excessive wear.

Repair

Check camshaft lobes for wear. Replace camshaft(s) as necessary.

Parts2 parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Inlet camshaft	14110-PNE-010	1
Exhaust camshaft	14120-PNA-020	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Engine stalls at idle

Overview

Affects: All models with K20A2/K20A4 engine codes: VIN: SHSRD8***2U000001-SHSRD8***2U023981. VIN: SHHEP3***1U0000001-SHHHEP3***2U008521.
Fault codes: P0341
Remedy: Fit modified part

Symptoms

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Erratic idle. Trouble code stored: P0341.

Cause

Contamination of camshaft position (CMP) actuator(s) and mechanism.

Repair

Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
If no fault(s) found: Fit modified camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Re-program ECM with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Trouble code stored: P1298

Failure of electrical load sensor located in engine bay fuse box/relay plate. Fix: fit a new part.

Overview

Affects: All models.
Fault codes: P1298
Remedy: Fit new part

Repair steps

Disconnect battery.
Remove engine bay fuse box/relay plate lower cover.
Disconnect 3-pin multi-plug from engine bay fuse box/relay plate.
Remove fuses and electrical load sensor from engine bay fuse box/relay plate&.
Fit new electrical load sensor.
Refit components in reverse order of removal.
Carry out electric window/sunroof initialisation and resetting procedures as necessary after reconnection of battery.
Carry out idle speed learning procedure: Start engine and allow to idle. Ensure engine is at normal operating temperature. Ensure all electrical load is switched OFF. Allow engine to idle for 10 minutes.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Electrical load sensor	38255-S5A-003	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Oil leak from front of engine

Affects All models with 2.0 petrol engine.

Cause

Oil leak between timing chain cover and cylinder block due to insufficient quantity of sealant Fig.1169355.1 .

Repair

Apply 5 mm bead of sealant to mating surface of timing chain cover. Increase width of sealant bead to 14 mm at specified points.

Parts1 part

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Sealant	08C70-K02-34M, or 08C70-K03-34M	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Electrical & ignition

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Buzzing or rattling/clattering noises from headlamps with ignition ON

Affects All models.

Cause

Faulty headlamp adjustment motor.

Repair

Replace headlamp adjustment motor.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Radio interference

Overview

Affects: All models.
Remedy: Fit modified part

Cause

Poor earth connection on roof aerial base.

Signal interference from alternator.

Repair steps

Clean and check earth connection on roof aerial base.
Fit modified aerial base nut.
Tighten aerial base nut. Tightening torque: 4.5 - 5.0 Nm.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Aerial base nut	39153-S6A-J01	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Brakes

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Front brake judder

Overview

Affects: All models, 2005-08.

Cause

Excessive front brake disc runout.

Repair

Check front brake disc runout is less than 0.04 mm. Reface or replace front brake discs as necessary.
Check front brake disc thickness variation is less than 0.015 mm. Reface or replace front brake discs as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Suspension & drivetrain

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking noise from front wheel when pulling away

Overview

Affects: All models, 1982-05.
Remedy: Clean & lubricate

Cause

Contact between driveshaft and front wheel bearing.

Repair

Clean driveshaft and wheel bearing contact surfaces.
Apply grease to contact surfaces of driveshaft and wheel bearing.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Clutch & gearbox

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Rattling noise from clutch assembly with engine idling and clutch pedal fully released

Affects All models with manual transmission.Clean & lubricate

Cause

Insufficient lubrication of clutch release lever pivot pin.

Repair

Apply grease to contact surfaces of clutch release lever and pivot pin.

Parts1 part

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Urea grease UM264	41211-PY5-305	As required

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

MIL: Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
ECM: Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
VIN: Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
Nm: Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
Trouble Codes: Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
CMP: Camshaft position — a sensor that tells the engine control module where the camshaft is
Actuator: A motor or solenoid that moves a mechanical part on command
Control Module: A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Disc Runout: How much a brake disc wobbles; too much causes vibration or squeal
Driveshaft: The shaft that takes drive from the differential out to a wheel
Fault Memory: The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Multi-Plug: A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
Re-Program: Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Relay: An electrically operated switch
Trouble Code: A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Alternator: The unit that charges the battery while the engine is running
Earth: An electrical ground connection back to the battery or body
Misfire: One or more cylinders not firing correctly — the engine runs roughly or loses power

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Honda Civic 2.0 Type R?

This guide contains 10 workshop bulletins for the Honda Civic 2.0 Type R. Of these, five concern the engine and fuel system and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Honda Civic 2.0 Type R have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Honda Civic 2.0 Type R faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.