Honda1997–2001Technical specifications

Prelude 2.0: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 2-litre petrol (engine code F20A4). 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 (F20A4) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: Prelude
Years: 1997–2001
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: F20A4

Performance & efficiency

Power: 98 kW (133 hp)
Engine size: 1,997 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Honda

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.8 litres

All 141 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1997
Compression ratio :1	9,5
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Make	Honda
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 supply voltage + with ballast V	12,0
Primary resistance Ohm	0,63-0,77
Secondary resistance Ohm	12800-19200

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) are 0,24-0,28 mm inlet and 0,28-0,32 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,24-0,28 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,28-0,32 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) 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

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

Coolant

See the reference table for the complete coolant entries and their conditions.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	➞35°C
Engine oil grade SAE	5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range	-20°C➞35°C
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range	-20°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range	-15°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	15W-40, 15W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range	-10°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	20W-40, 20W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SJ/A2
Engine with filter(s) litres	3.8
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	—
Gearbox oil grade
Manual transmission litres	2.1
Automatic transmission fluid Type	Dexron III
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres	2.5
Automatic transmission (dry fill) litres	6.2
Cooling system - total capacity litres	6.9
Brake fluid Type	DOT 3/4
Power steering fluid Type	Honda PAS
Power steering fluid litres	—

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 21 mm (ventilated) front and 8 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	21 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear	8 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

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

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) is 15°±2° BTDC at 550 rpm.

Idle speed and ignition timing
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	15±2/550

Battery

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) uses a 12 V, 52 Ah battery (reserve capacity 80 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/80 (52)

Spark plugs

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) uses Denso KJ20CR-L11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	Denso
Spark plug Type	KJ20CR-L11
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	APP5224
Electrode gap mm	1,0
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR7LCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RC7YCC4
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	ZFR6F-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1

Tuning and emissions

Idle speed and ignition timing
Tuning conditions	—
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	ECM Controlled
Idle speed rpm	770±50
Oil temperature °C	80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe 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

Maximum cranking amps A	140-172
Alternator output A/V/rpm	95/13,5/6000

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	9,3-12,3
Oil pressure bar/rpm	3,4/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,93-1,23
Thermostat opens °C	76-80
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	10-13/13-16,5
Drive belt tension - AC mm	10-12

Fuel system

System pressure bar	2,6-3,2
Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,1-2,6
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C	200-400/80
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm	240-480
Injector Ohm	10,0-13,0
Lambda sensor (Oxygen) heater Ohm	10,0-40,0

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) are tightened in 3 stages: 40 Nm, then 70 Nm, then a final 100 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	40 Nm
Tighten	70 Nm
Tighten	100 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	37 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	74 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	15 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	31 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block	12 Nm
Sump bolts	1)6 Nm 2)12 Nm
Sump drain bolt	44 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	103 Nm/74 Nm
Clutch pressure plate	25 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	245 Nm
Camshaft sprocket/gear	37 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	—
Camshaft carrier caps
Camshaft/rocker cover	12 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head	22 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	31 Nm
Exhaust downpipe to manifold	54 Nm
Spark plugs	18 Nm
Fuel rail	12 Nm
Lambda sensor (Oxygen)	44 Nm
Engine oil pressure switch	18 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	245 Nm
Rear hub	181 Nm
Steering track rod end	49-59 Nm
Brake disc to hub Front	10 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	49 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	113 Nm
Brake disc to hub Rear	10 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	23 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	38 Nm
ABS sensor Front	10 Nm
ABS sensor Rear	10 Nm
Road wheels	108 Nm

Air conditioning

No. of AC service connectors	2
Air conditioning restrictor type	Expansion valve
Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling	Yes
Compressor variable displacement solenoid	No
Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R134a
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	725±25
Air conditioning oil group	PAG
Air conditioning oil Type	SP10
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	140±10
Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO	46

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Prelude 2.0?

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Prelude 2.0 use?

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) uses Denso KJ20CR-L11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Prelude 2.0 take?

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) 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 Prelude 2.0?

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) are 0,24-0,28 mm inlet and 0,28-0,32 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda Prelude 2.0?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) are tightened in 3 stages: 40 Nm, then 70 Nm, then a final 100 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1997–2001) is 15°±2° BTDC at 550 rpm.