Honda1984–1988Technical specifications

Civic CRX 1.5: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.5-litre petrol (engine code EW3). Covers engine, fluids, service and torques: 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
Civic CRX
Years
1984–1988
Fuel
Petrol
Engine code
EW3

Performance & efficiency

Power
74 kW (101 hp)
Engine size
1,450 cc
Cylinders
4 · OHC
Compression ratio
8.7:1
Fuel system
Honda

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter)
3.5 litres
All 101 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc1450 (1477)
Compression ratio :18,7
Suitable for unleaded petrolYes
Minimum octane rating RON95
Ignition system TypeTSZ-i
Ignition system DescriptionTrans-i
Fuel system MakeHonda
Fuel system TypePGM-FI
Fuel system DescriptionMFI-s

Ignition system

Ignition coil MakeHitachi/Denso
Primary resistance Ohm1,24-1,46
Secondary resistance Ohm8000-12000
Distributor (ECM) MakeHitachi
Distributor (ECM) No.TD-03J

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) are 0,17-0,22 mm inlet and 0,22-0,27 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm0,17-0,22 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm0,22-0,27 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) takes 3.5 litres of engine oil with the filter.

See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

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 5.1 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range ➞0°C
Engine oil grade SAE 5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -20°C➞35°C
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -20°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -15°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 15W-40, 15W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -10°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 20W-40, 20W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/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
Cooling system - total capacity litres 5.1

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) is 16°±2° BTDC at 850 rpm.

CO level
Ignition timingWith vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm16±2/850

Battery

The Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) uses a 12 V, 45 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

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

Spark plugs

The Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) uses NGK BCPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipmentNGK
Spark plug TypeBCPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm1,1
Spark plugs MakeAutolite
Spark plug Type63
Electrode gap mm1,1
Spark plugs MakeBeru
Spark plug Type14R-7DUX
Electrode gap mm1,1
Spark plugs MakeBosch
Spark plug TypeWR7DCX
Electrode gap mm1,1
Spark plugs MakeChampion
Spark plug TypeRC9YCC4
Electrode gap mm1,1
Spark plugs MakeNGK
Spark plug TypeBCPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm1,1

Tuning and emissions

Tuning conditions—
CO level
Ignition advanceWithout vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm0-4/1200
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm14-18/3100
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm19-23/5500
Vacuum checkIgnition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine9-11
Vacuum starts mbar180
Vacuum ends mbar412
Idle speed rpm850±50
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm1200-2000
Oil temperature °C60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO0,5-2,0
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe (Cat) Vol. % CO1,0 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm300
HC level at idle - alternative ppmCat =100
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO213-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O20,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor MakeHitachi
Starter motor TypeS115-396
Minimum starting voltage V11
Maximum cranking amps A122-149
Alternator MakeNippon Denso
Alternator output A/V/rpm50/14/3500
Voltage regulator TypeIC
Regulated voltage V13,9-15,1

Service checks and adjustments

Oil pressure bar/rpm3,4-4,2
Radiator cap bar0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C76-78
Drive belt size - alternator mm3PKx735
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm7-10

Fuel system

Regulated pressure with vacuum bar2,35-2,75

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 60 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten30 Nm
Tighten60 Nm
Cylinder head instructions—
Other engine tightening torques
Main bearings Stage 125 Nm
Main bearings Stage 250 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 114 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 228 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate120 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt115 Nm
Spark plugs15-25 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub185 Nm
Rear hub185 Nm
Road wheels110 Nm

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Civic CRX 1.5?

The firing order for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 use?

The Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) uses NGK BCPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 take?

The Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) takes 3.5 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

What are the valve clearances for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5?

Valve clearances for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) 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 Civic CRX 1.5?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 60 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Civic CRX 1.5 (1984–1988) is 16°±2° BTDC at 850 rpm.

More on the Civic CRX