Replacing the timing belt on LADA cars with a 16-valve engine

09 September 2015 Lada.Online 216 481 2

Currently, all new Lada Priora are available with 16 valve engines. These power units are also installed on some versions of Lada Granta, Kalina, Vesta or XRAY cars. The gas distribution mechanism (GRM) of these engines is designed for the timely admission of the combustible mixture into the engine cylinders and the release of exhaust gases. It is important to regularly check the condition of the belt and replace it if necessary.

How long does it take to change the timing belt?

• According to the Lada Priora maintenance regulations, the condition of the timing belt should be checked after 105 thousand km, and replaced after 200 thousand km. However, sheared teeth or a broken timing belt can cause the valves to stick (valve bending) into the pistons, leading to costly engine repairs. Therefore, we recommend checking the condition of the timing belt more often - every 45 thousand km.
• On Lada Granta and Lada Kalina 2 cars, the timing belt is checked every maintenance (every 15,000 km), and replacement is carried out after 75 thousand km. mileage
• On Lada Vesta and XRAY, the condition of the timing belt should be checked after 15,000 km, and replaced every 180,000 km.

Choosing a timing repair kit for Lada Kalina

The quality of the belt and roller is very important, since the smooth operation of the engine depends on it. The issue should be approached with all responsibility. On the other hand, this is a consumable item, which means you still have to change it.

The Lada Kalina is equipped with a timing belt with number 21126-1006040 from the factory. The original is considered one of the best and is highly reliable, on average it lasts for 50,000 kilometers. The cost varies depending on the region: 1,000–1,500 rubles. There are a large number of analogues on the modern market, which are usually cheaper.

But there are also more expensive examples. The following brands became the most popular:

• Gates (on average about 2 thousand rubles);
• LUZAR (2,000 rubles);
• Bosch (1,500–1,800 rubles);
• Pilenga (tensioner roller and belt on average 3,000 rubles);
• Trialli (set, about 3,500 rubles).

The most affordable analogues are considered to be belts from manufacturers such as Master-Sport, Hofer and some others. On average, their cost does not exceed 1 thousand rubles. It is also equally important to choose a high-quality tensioner roller, since belts are usually changed together with them in pairs. There is also a lot of variety here.

The original roller installed from the factory has a catalog number 21126-1006135.

The average price, depending on the region, is no more than 700 rubles. The market for analogues is much more diverse, and accordingly, their prices vary from 400 to 2,000 rubles. More often than others, car enthusiasts choose brands such as Gates, Pilenga, Trialli, Master-sport and others. On average, their service life is about 50,000 kilometers +/- 5,000, it all depends on the quality.

Removing the timing belt

You will need : a 5-point hexagon, a 17-point, 15-point, 10-point socket and a large flat-head screwdriver.

Procedure:

1. Remove the upper timing cover by removing 5 screws.
2. Remove the lower timing cover by unscrewing the 2 screws. Remove the alternator belt.
3. Camshaft drive diagram.

In order not to disturb the valve timing, it is necessary to set the crankshaft and camshaft to the TDC (top dead center) position of the compression stroke of the 1st cylinder. For this:

1. Turn the crankshaft clockwise using the generator drive bolt until the marks on the camshaft toothed pulleys align with the marks on the rear timing drive cover.
2. check that the mark on the flywheel 1 is located opposite the slot 2 of the upper cover of the clutch housing.

We fix the flywheel by inserting a screwdriver between the flywheel teeth through the hole in the clutch housing. Then:

1. Remove the pulley by unscrewing the bolt.
2. Remove the support washer.

1. Release the belt tension by turning the roller bolt.
2. Remove the belt from the camshaft pulleys, tension and support rollers.

After removing the timing belt, the crankshaft and camshaft cannot be turned. When replacing a timing belt, the tensioner and support rollers of the belt also change.

About engines

Depending on the configuration, one of four modifications of the power unit was installed on the car. Two of them had 8 valves in the cylinder head, two had 16 valves per engine. The cylinders are arranged in one row, the block is cast from cast iron. Three engines have a working volume equal to 1600 cm 3, one of them VAZ 11194 was made with an engine capacity of 1400 cm 3. This engine, just like the VAZ 21126 , has 4 valves per cylinder, that is, there will be 16 of them in the cylinder head Thanks to some modifications, the engines comply with Euro 3.4 standards.

Timing diagram

The engine with a displacement of 1400 cm3 was not produced for long, since the appearance of Kalina 2 was conceived only for power units with a displacement of 1600 cm3. Manufacturers guarantee a service life of engines of more than 200 thousand km. Both engines can be moderately boosted without significantly reducing their service life.

Are the valves bending?

This question worries many owners of Kalina and other VAZ cars with front-wheel drive. This is due to the fact that when there is a break in the valve drive or the teeth of the drive belt are cut, the pistons hit the valve heads. In the best case, the car gets bent valves, but bending connecting rods, damaged pistons, and burst valve guides are also possible. Such a malfunction will entail previously unforeseen costs for engine overhaul.

Don't let drivers be misled by the recesses in the piston heads; they do not save the engine from damage. In this case, only compliance with all recommendations of the engine manufacturers, the use of high-quality spare parts and other consumables, and timely replacement of worn parts can help.

Installing the timing belt

Before installing the rollers, apply thread sealant to the threaded part. We do not completely tighten the tension roller bolt. Before installing the timing belt, check the alignment of the timing marks. It is convenient to control the position of the crankshaft by aligning mark 1 on the crankshaft toothed pulley with mark 2 (rib) on the oil pump cover.

We put the timing belt on the crankshaft pulley, tensioning both branches of the belt, we put the front branch behind the support roller, and the rear branch, putting it on the coolant pump pulley, behind the tension roller. Then we put the timing belt on the camshaft pulleys.

Replacing the timing belt on an 8-valve engine

If the car owner believes that the time has come, the belt in the timing drive mechanism needs to be replaced, this procedure should be performed. Most owners trust this work to specialists, but with a lot of desire and car maintenance skills, it can be done independently. This matter should not be postponed until the “future”, since a broken belt will lead to damage to the valves in the cylinder head. The replacement work will require the driver about two hours.

Timing diagram VAZ 11186

You should purchase consumables, prepare a set of wrenches, a car jack, a stand for the car body, and chocks for the rear wheels of the car.

If you plan to replace the coolant pump, you need to have antifreeze to add it to the engine cooling system.

And you will also need a key to adjust the tension of the timing belt. You can start work in the garage or any other horizontal area. In addition, you will need a set of hexagons of different sizes. For ease of work, it is best to remove the front right wheel.

To do this, tighten the handbrake lever on the installed car, install pads under the rear wheels, and remove the wheel bolts with a wheel wrench. Further work will be carried out in the engine compartment, so you need to open the hood. To gain access to the timing drive, the protective cover must be removed. You will need the fifth hexagon number, which is used to remove 3 screws on the plastic cover.

Protective cover mounting bolts

Removing the protective cover

Drain a small amount of antifreeze from the engine cooling system if the pump is changed.

Next, the timing belt replacement begins.

• It is necessary to unscrew the stud of the generator tensioning device with a “10” head and remove its belt. After this, you should set the timing drive according to the marks. This is best done with the wheel removed from the right side of the car. The car is lifted with a jack. For reliability, install a stand under the threshold of the car and remove the wheel. Now, using a wrench, you need to rotate the bolt on the crankshaft pulley clockwise until the mark on the camshaft pulley coincides with the mark on the rear protection cover.
• You will need a hex number five to remove the lower timing belt guard. Next, you need to remove the crankshaft pulley; you will need an assistant for this. He must engage fifth gear and press the brake pedal. At this time, use a wrench with an extension to unscrew the pulley mounting bolt and remove it. The protective washer behind it is also removed. The mark on the gear wheel should coincide with the casting on the oil pump cover. The next step is to release the tension of the drive belt. Unscrew the tensioner mounting bolt, remove it together with the adjusting washer, and then return it to its place.
• Remove the old belt from the pulleys. If necessary, dismantle the engine cooling system pump. Before installing a new part, carefully inspect the gears. Pump pulley in the engine cooling system. The tension roller is usually always replaced with a new product.
• Before installing a new belt, check once again that the timing marks match; if everything is in order, continue working. Place the tensioner roller in place along with the adjusting washer, but do not tighten it. Place the belt on the camshaft gear, then the crankshaft pulley, pump and tension roller.
• The timing belt is tensioned using a special wrench by turning the tensioner roller; the direction of movement is indicated on the roller body. Turn it until the marks on the movable and fixed roller bushings match, then tighten the tensioner mounting bolt.

Next, on the VAZ-11186 engine, all the removed parts are put back in place, after which they make several revolutions of the engine crankshaft and check that the installation marks match. If they match, then the timing belt replacement procedure has been completed correctly.

Are the valves bending?

Unfortunately, this sometimes happens on an 8-valve engine if the timing belt in the timing drive is damaged. Experts strongly recommend constantly paying attention to the condition of the timing drive during maintenance in order to promptly identify possible problems in the valve mechanism. A broken belt will lead to additional costs for repairing the power unit, which will be several times higher than the cost of a belt with a tension roller.

How to tension a timing belt

1. Insert the tips of the locking ring pliers into the grooves of the outer race of the tension roller.
2. Tension the belt by turning the tension roller counterclockwise.
3. We combine cutout 1 of the outer race of the roller with the rectangular protrusion 2 of its inner sleeve. Tighten the roller mounting bolt with a wrench.

After installing the generator drive pulley, turn the crankshaft by the pulley mounting bolt two turns clockwise. We check the alignment of the installation marks on the crankshaft and camshaft, as well as the alignment of the cutout with the protrusion on the tension roller.

The process of replacing the timing belt is also shown in the video:

Signs of critical belt wear

Signs of wear are distinguished: direct and indirect.

Direct signs of wear include:

• presence of cracks on the belt surfaces (external and internal);
• chips on the inner surfaces of the teeth;
• longitudinal sections on the outer surface;
• presence of heavy contamination;
• visible runout and stretching of the timing belt;
• extreme cases - belt breakage, “licking” of teeth.

The listed signs can be detected by visual inspection. In most cases, this requires removing the belt cover. In some car models, this requires “hanging” the engine and carrying out a series of dismantling works. Therefore, before deciding to diagnose the condition of the belt drive, it is necessary to evaluate indirect signs of wear, which include:

• misfires in engine cylinders;
• detonation, especially at the moment of shutdown;
• uneven idle speed.

These signs can be examined using computer diagnostics. The most effective diagnostic result is achieved by studying the ignition angle in dynamic mode (with the engine running). Typically it should be within plus or minus five degrees. In this case, the ignition timing when the engine rotates at idle speed should not change significantly.

Replacing the timing belt without special tools

The method can be used if there is no need to change the rollers.

Procedure

:

1. Cut off half of the old timing belt with a utility knife.
2. Remove half of the old timing belt.
3. We put a new timing belt on the crankshaft pulleys.
4. We cut the second half of the old timing belt and remove it.
5. Pull the new timing belt onto the crankshaft pulleys until the end.

Where can I buy

: Timing belt kits at low prices are available in our online store (Timing belt category).

Basic faults

There can only be three main faults with the timing belt:

• violation of the integrity of the structure;
• under- or overtension;
• break.

In the first case, the belt may simply delaminate, as evidenced by dangling reinforcing threads. In addition, belt teeth are often cut off. These problems are the result of mechanical damage, improper adjustment:

• camshaft stars;
• crankshaft pulley;
• toothed roller;
• pumps;
• tension roller.

The tension roller is designed to tension the belt by rotating around its own eccentric axis.
If it is not adjusted correctly, the belt may be too tight, which will sooner or later render it unusable. The same problem will occur if the belt is loose. The most unpleasant surprise, especially on the road, is a broken timing belt. In this case, the engine will immediately stall, and it will be possible to start it only by installing a new belt.

Cost of replacement work

Prices for Lada Kalina timing belts in our auto stores vary from 400 to 1000 rubles per unit. If you also need to replace the tension roller, be prepared to shell out another 400-600 rubles.

The cost of replacing a belt is 500-800 rubles. With a roller – up to 1000 rubles.

When buying a timing belt, it is better to give preference to a branded VAZ product. If this is not possible, you can purchase an analogue produced by a well-known brand. Below are samples showing the catalog numbers of the original belt and worthy imported analogues.

Camshaft marks

The VAZ 21126 engine has 16 valves, so for their operation two camshafts are installed in the cylinder head. One of them is responsible for the operation of the intake valves, the second is the exhaust valves. The camshafts are driven by pulleys through a toothed belt. Each shaft has its own pulley, which cannot be replaced with each other. The pulley on the right side of the motor (when viewed from the radiator side) has an insert for a phase sensor. The manufacturer applies marks to each pulley for proper assembly of the timing drive.

They are located on the crown of the pulley in the form of a protrusion in its lower part. These marks are called movable marks because they rotate with the camshafts. Correct installation of the pulley on the camshaft is ensured by a key. Only correctly installed Priora timing marks will ensure efficient use of its engine. The marks on the pulleys can have different shapes, depending on the manufacturer of the part. It is necessary to carefully wipe the outer part of the pulley with a rag, after which you can see the protrusion or recess as a mark.

How does the replacement take place?

The process of replacing the timing belt on a Lada Kalina with 16 and 8 valves follows a similar scenario, but there are some differences, so we will consider each separately.

Required Tools

To replace we will need:

• a set of keys;
• screwdriver;
• tension key.

Stages of work

The process itself is not complicated, and after reading the instructions we offer, you will be able to cope with it without much difficulty and it will not take much time. Let’s say right away that to replace it it is better to purchase the original kit, although it costs more. But in any case, whichever case you choose, follow the recommendations given in this article. It is better to change with an assistant because some work will be difficult for one person.

On 8 valve

1. First of all, we remove the plastic protection; to do this, you need to unscrew three bolts.
2. Remove the front wheel on the right. This is necessary in order to gain access to the shield that protects the power unit.
3. After unscrewing the two screws, pull the shield down to gain access to the pulley, which is located on the crankshaft.

We pull back and secure the shield. Next, you need to rotate the crankshaft so that the shaft stars align with the marks.

The marks must be aligned. To unscrew the flywheel, lock the crankshaft. On the side where the clutch is located, there is a small gap on the engine through which you can see the flywheel. We remove the rubber band and lock it with a screwdriver. You may need outside help for this.

Window closed with rubber band

• Next, remove the alternator belt.
• We unscrew the tension roller until the timing belt loosens.
• We remove it, but the gears should not move out of place.
• The new one is pulled onto the camshaft gear on the right. Don't forget about the tags. Then you need to pass it through the roller and then pull it onto the pump.
• The tension should be such that the belt can only turn 90 degrees.
• Having turned the crankshaft, we look to see if the marks are off. If this happens, the work done will have to be repeated.
• Assembly work is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly.

On 16 valve

1. We remove the cover that is located on top and covers the timing belt of Kalina with a 16 cl engine.
2. We dismantle the wheel located on the right front.

Wheel removal key

As you can see, there is nothing complicated and we hope that this article helped you understand all the intricacies of this process. You can now independently determine which belt is best for your car, how to change it correctly and how much you can save on it.