Honda1988–1991Technical specifications

Civic 1.6 DOHC: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.6-litre petrol (engine code D16A8). 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 (D16A8) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: Civic
Years: 1988–1991
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: D16A8

Performance & efficiency

Power: 80 kW (109 hp)
Engine size: 1,590 cc
Cylinders: 4 · DOHC
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Honda

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.8 litres

All 129 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/DOHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1590 (1579)
Compression ratio :1	9,5
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Type	PGM-FI
Ignition system Description	Map-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
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	12,0
Primary resistance Ohm	0,38-0,46
Secondary resistance Ohm	9440-14160
Distributor (ECM) Make	Hitachi

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) are 0,13-0,17 mm inlet and 0,15-0,19 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,13-0,17 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,15-0,19 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) takes 3.8 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 1.8 litres.

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

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 5.5 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	3.8
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	10W-30, 10W-40
Manual transmission litres	1.8
Automatic transmission fluid Type	Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres	2.4
Cooling system - total capacity litres	5.5

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 17 mm (ventilated) front and 8 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	17 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear	8 mm
Maximum drum diameter for replacement Rear	181 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc thickness variation Front	0,015 mm
Disc thickness variation Rear	0,015 mm
Disc runout Front	0,15 mm
Disc runout Rear	0,15 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	1,6 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear	1,6 mm
Minimum shoe thickness Rear	2 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches	6-10

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) is 16°±2° BTDC at 800 rpm.

Idle speed
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	16±2/800

Battery

The Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) uses a 12 V, 47 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/65 (47)

Spark plugs

The Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) uses NGK BCPR6E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6E-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	APP3923
Electrode gap mm	1,0
Spark plugs Make	Beru
Spark plug Type	14FR-7DUX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR7DCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RC9YC4
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6E-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1

Tuning and emissions

Idle speed
Tuning conditions	—
View more information	—
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	ECM Controlled
Idle speed rpm	800±50
Oil temperature °C	80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe (Cat) Vol. % CO	0,1 Max Not adjustable
HC level at idle speed ppm	100
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	14,5-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,1-0,5
Increased idle speed for CO test rpm	2300-2700
CO content at increased idle speed Vol. %	0,3
Lambda at increased idle λ	0,97-1,03

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	ND/Mitsuba
Starter motor Type	1,4 kW
Maximum cranking amps A	127-155
Alternator Make	ND/Mitsubishi
Alternator Type	60A
Alternator output A/V/rpm	40/13,5/2000
Regulated voltage V	13,9-15,1

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	9,5-13,5
Oil pressure bar/rpm	4,8/3000

Fuel system

Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,5
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm	350-550
Injector Ohm	1,5-2,5
Idle air control (IAC) valve/idle speed control (ISC) actuator Ohm	8,0-15,0

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	30 Nm
Tighten	68 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	36 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	67 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	16 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	32 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block	11 Nm
Sump bolts	1)6 Nm 2)12 Nm
Sump drain bolt	45 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	120 Nm/75 Nm
Clutch pressure plate	26 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	—
Crankshaft pulley/damper
Camshaft sprocket/gear	38 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	12 Nm
Camshaft/rocker cover	10 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head	24 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	34 Nm
Spark plugs	18 Nm
Lambda sensor (Oxygen)	45 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	185 Nm
Rear hub	185 Nm
Steering track rod end	45 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	50 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	78 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	23 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	39 Nm
Back plate to hub Rear	39 Nm
Road wheels	110 Nm

Air conditioning

Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	900±50
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	—

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC?

The firing order for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC use?

The Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) uses NGK BCPR6E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC take?

The Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) takes 3.8 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 1.6 DOHC?

Valve clearances for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) are 0,13-0,17 mm inlet and 0,15-0,19 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Civic 1.6 DOHC (1988–1991) is 16°±2° BTDC at 800 rpm.