Honda1987–1989Technical specifications

Ballade 1.5: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.5-litre petrol (engine code EW3). Covers engine, fluids, brakes, service, torques and air conditioning: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Common faults & fixes

Summary

Match the engine code (EW3) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: Ballade
Years: 1987–1989
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: EW3

Performance & efficiency

Power: 74 kW (101 hp)
Engine size: 1,488 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 8.7:1
Fuel system: Honda

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.5 litres

All 120 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1488 (1477)
Compression ratio :1	8,7
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	91
Ignition system Type	TSZ-i
Ignition system Description	Trans-i
Trigger location	Distributor
Fuel system Make	Honda
Fuel system Type	PGM-FI
Fuel system Description	MFI-s
Air metering Type	MAP
Combined ignition and fuel ECM	Yes
Diagnostic socket	Yes

Ignition system

Ignition coil Make	Hitachi/Denso
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	12,0
Primary resistance Ohm	1,24-1,46
Secondary resistance Ohm	8000-12000
Distributor (ECM) Make	Hitachi
Distributor (ECM) No.	TD-03J

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) are 0,17-0,22 mm inlet and 0,22-0,27 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,17-0,22 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,22-0,27 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) takes 3.5 litres of engine oil with the filter.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-30 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-30 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-40 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.3 litres.

See the reference table for the complete manual gearbox entries and their conditions.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 4.2 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	Cold climate
Engine oil grade SAE	5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SF/A2
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SF/A2
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate alternative
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SF/A2
Ambient temperature range	Hot climate
Engine oil grade SAE	20W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SF/A2
Engine with filter(s) litres	3.5
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	10W-30, 10W-40
Manual transmission litres	2.3
Automatic transmission fluid Type	Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres	2.4
Cooling system - total capacity litres	4.2

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 10 mm (solid) or 15 mm (ventilated) front; the rear brake drums are replaced at a maximum diameter of 181 mm.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - solid Front	10 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	15 mm
Maximum drum diameter for replacement Rear	181 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc thickness variation Front	0,015 mm
Disc runout Front	0,10 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	3 mm
Minimum shoe thickness Rear	2 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches	4-8

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) is 16°±2° BTDC at 850 rpm.

Ignition timing	Without vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	16±2/850

Battery

The Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) uses a 12 V, 45 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/65 (45)

Spark plugs

The Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) uses NGK BPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Beru
Spark plug Type	14R-7DUX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	WR7DCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RN9YCC4
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advance	Without vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	0-4/1200
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	14-18/3100
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	19-23/5500
Vacuum check	Ignition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine	9-11
Vacuum starts mbar	180
Vacuum ends mbar	412
Idle speed rpm	800-900
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm	1250-2250
Oil temperature °C	60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	1,5 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm	300
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	13-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	Hitachi
Minimum starting voltage V	12,0
Maximum cranking amps A	122-149
Alternator Make	Nippon Denso
Alternator output A/V/rpm	65/14/3000
Voltage regulator Type	13,5-14,5

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	11,0-13,0
Radiator cap bar	0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C	76-78
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	7-10

Fuel system

Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,35-2,75

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 60 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	30 Nm
Tighten	60 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	25 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	50 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	14 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	28 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block	12 Nm
Sump bolts	1)6 Nm 2)12 Nm
Sump drain bolt	45 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	120 Nm/75 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	115 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head	22 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	32 Nm
Spark plugs	15-25 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	185 Nm
Rear hub	185 Nm
Steering track rod end	44 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	78 Nm
Back plate to hub Rear	45 Nm
Road wheels	110 Nm

Air conditioning

Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	800±50
Air conditioning oil Type	Suniso 5GS
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	80

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Ballade 1.5?

The firing order for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Ballade 1.5 use?

The Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) uses NGK BPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Ballade 1.5 take?

The Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) takes 3.5 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-30 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-30 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-40 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SF/A2.

What are the valve clearances for the Honda Ballade 1.5?

Valve clearances for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) are 0,17-0,22 mm inlet and 0,22-0,27 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda Ballade 1.5?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 60 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Ballade 1.5?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Ballade 1.5 (1987–1989) is 16°±2° BTDC at 850 rpm.