GAZelle Business is a Russian light-duty car produced since 2010 at the Gorky Automobile Plant. It is an updated version of the classic GAZelle, from which it differs in improved front design and more reliable components. The body design and engine range remained the same.
The manufacturer announces an increase in the service interval to 15 thousand km (previously it was 10 thousand), as well as an extension of official warranty service to two years or 80 thousand km. Thanks to minor design improvements, fuel consumption has been reduced by 5% and braking distance has been reduced by 8%. In 2011, the Business family became the Russian sales leader in the light commercial class.
What is the oil change interval for the Gazelle gearbox?
Any modification of this car is accompanied by an instruction manual, in which the manufacturer clearly states that new oil should be poured into the Gazelle gearbox at least after 60 thousand kilometers.
However, this manufacturer's recommendation should only be followed when the vehicle is operated under normal conditions. If operation is carried out in urban conditions, with heavy loads, and also around the clock, this interval should be significantly reduced.
Reviews
Vadim, Ulyanovsk. I have been working on GAZelle Business since 2014, a car with a UMZ-4216.10 engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Although the transmission is noisy and causes a lot of discomfort, it reveals the engine’s potential well. The cabin is much more comfortable than in a classic Gazelle, and there is at least some sound insulation.
Boris, Stavropol region. I have a 2013 GAZelle Business, equipped with a UMZ engine with support for AI-92. Although the engine is voracious and suffers from the factory’s signature problems (overheating, oil burns, leaks, etc.), it has a good reserve of traction even on inclines – almost like a full-fledged diesel engine. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is 13 liters in the urban cycle.
Oil selection
The gearbox oil purchased for replacement must be of proper quality.
Factors to consider when choosing oil:
- instructions from the manufacturer regarding the characteristics of the lubricant for the gearbox of a specific vehicle modification;
- operating conditions of the vehicle;
- The volume of oil purchased must exceed what is poured into the box by at least 0.5-1 liter. This excess will be needed for possible addition of fluid during operation.
The climatic conditions in which the vehicle is operated plays a serious role when choosing a lubricant, since the degree of viscosity of the selected material depends on this.
In some cases, the manufacturer does not bother with recommendations regarding certain lubricant characteristics, but only indicates which standard the transmission fluid must meet. Most often this is SAE 75W.
The following oils can be recommended from proven products:
- Castrol 75W140;
- Mannol 75W80;
- TNK Magnum Trans Gipoid Super 75W90.
This is not a complete list, however, you will be quite satisfied with any of the listed products.
The characteristics of transmission fluid meeting the SAE 75W standard are improved thanks to mineral additives. Due to the fact that a change in the viscosity of such a lubricant occurs when the temperature drops to -45˚ C, it can be used even in the coldest regions.
Modernization
The unit is equipped with a microprocessor system for controlling the operation of the injection of fuel mixture and the accounting ignition system. The knock and oxygen sensors of the 4216 engine directly affect the operation of the all-encompassing electronic control accounting system and the unit as a result. To configure economic features and increase competitiveness, the following design additions were made to the power plant:
- To increase performance characteristics, the compression ratio in the cylinders was increased.
- To reduce oil consumption, the crankcase gas exhaust system was modernized.
- The reliability of the motor is ensured by the introduction of improved parts and materials.
Along with this, the unit has not changed in terms of overall characteristics and standard features (working volume - 5.89 liters, piston stroke, cylinder size).
For the first time, the GAZ-4216 engine began to be equipped with imported parts, which only increased the quality of work and durability in operation. The unit was equipped with spark plugs and fuel injectors made by Siemens, in addition to a throttle position sensor made by Bosch in Germany.
How much oil will you need?
The transmission fluid level should be monitored every 20 thousand km. If the oil level is low, add oil immediately. The volume of lubricant required for the Gazelle gearbox can vary depending on the modification, ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 liters. When purchasing lubricant, it is advisable to choose a 2-liter container so that some of the oil remains in stock.
IMPORTANT!!! It is extremely undesirable to operate a car with a low level of lubrication in the gearbox, since it can cause oil starvation of the gearbox elements, which can lead to their rapid wear.
How the box works
GAZelles are equipped with 4- or 5-speed manual transmissions. Components of the device:
- 2 aluminum crankcases connected by 100 bolts;
- speedometer drive gear;
- primary and secondary shafts connected to the cardan and crankshaft;
- an intermediate shaft on which the cut reverse and 1st stage teeth are located;
- pressed gear block;
- inertial synchronizers;
- reverse gear is provided by a gear block;
- clutch for engaging 3rd and 4th gears;
- system for blocking simultaneous launch of several speeds;
- spring-loaded balls for fastening different levels of the box;
- mechanism of the damper device of the lever and control elements.
The design of the unit allows for timely diagnosis of the first signs of malfunction to prevent more dangerous failures.
Specifications
Key characteristics of the gearbox of GAZelle cars:
- 4- or 5-speed transmission;
- 5 speeds - 1 reverse and 4 forward.
For the transmission, the following parameters can be noted:
- three-way lever located in the assembly;
- the mass of the part is 56 kg;
- oil tank capacity - 3 l;
- gear ratios for five stages - 6.55; 3.09; 1.71; 1; 7.77.
- The fourth stage in the gearbox is direct.
Basic models of the device assume the presence of synchronizers in the mechanism to ensure reliable operation.
Gear shift diagram
The gear scheme on the GAZelle is distinguished by the presence of a synchronizer. Moving the lever from the neutral position to the left side causes its lower part to move the shift rod and fork. This causes the first stage gear to move backward and come into contact with the first gear element located on the intermediate shaft. When the clutch is running, torque is transmitted through gears and intermediate elements to the secondary shaft.
The inclusion of the third speed is due to the movement of the lever from the neutral position, first to the right side, and then forward. Under the influence of the fork, the clutch begins to move backwards and the structure impacts the synchronizer. The torque follows in the direction of: the input shaft, the permanently meshed gears, the intermediate and secondary shaft of the gearbox.
To start the fourth speed, you will need to move the selector to the right and back relative to neutral. The forward movement of the clutch helps to engage the synchronizer locking ring with the input shaft. After balancing the speeds, gears are engaged. Reverse speed is started by moving the lever to the right after overcoming the resistance of the safety system.
The synchronizer is a mechanism in the form of a hub mounted on the secondary shaft of the box. The coupling moves along the splines located outside under the influence of the fork. Other key elements of the synchronizer:
- retaining springs;
- "blocking" parts;
- side bronze rings for locking the mechanism;
The work of the synchronizer is involved in engaging 3rd and 4th gears and is expressed in ensuring a smooth transition from one level to another.
How much oil to fill
Before changing the oil in the 5th mortar, it is necessary to check the current level. It is recommended to carry out such an action every 20,000 km. If there is enough oil in the gearbox, fluid is added to the crankcase.
The technical documentation does not contain data on the required amount of oil in the GAZelle box. The figure varies depending on the modification of the equipment, ranging from 1.2-1.6 liters. During work, the mixture is poured into the hole with a syringe until oil flows out of it.
GAZelle Next, GAZelle Business and other modifications of the car cannot be started with a low level of oil fluid. Small volume is the cause of air pockets, which have a negative impact on bearings and other elements of the gearbox.
What is needed for replacement?
To change the oil, you should purchase the necessary tools:
- three-liter container for collecting waste liquid;
- new gear oil;
- a large syringe with a tube from a dropper or a special oil syringe to fill the liquid;
- a small amount of clean rags to remove dirt and grease residue.
Just in case, you can purchase flushing material to clean the gearbox if necessary.
Useful tips
As you can see, the transmission of a GAZelle vehicle requires regular oil changes in the gearbox, as well as in axles and other units and components. To understand how often the oil in a GAZelle box needs to be changed, studying the manual indicates that changing the transmission oil in the gearbox of this car is recommended every 60 thousand km. mileage
Even during replacements, it is not always necessary to fill in oil strictly according to the rate indicated in the manual. Refueling should be carried out according to the actual level. The fact is that for one box of passports 1.2 liters will be enough, while for another this amount is simply not enough.
In this case, a low level will cause gears, bearings, synchronizers and other parts to wear out quickly. By the way, exceeding the level is also not advisable. The reason is that the high oil level in the gearbox leads to the fact that the seals and gaskets can leak, and the gearbox begins to become oily.
For this reason, you need to fill just enough until the lubricant begins to flow out of the filler neck. If you cannot unscrew the filler plug, you can try unscrewing the plug, which is located on the other side.
Step-by-step instruction
The oil change is carried out only on a warmed-up gearbox, since only in this case can almost all the waste be drained.
Your further actions will look like this:
- the vehicle is installed on an overpass or inspection hole and is additionally secured with special stops;
- the drain plug is cleaned of existing dirt, and at the same time we clean the area near the filler plug;
- Using a 12mm hexagon, unscrew the drain plug, under which the prepared container should first be installed;
- It will take at least 30 minutes for the liquid to completely drain;
- if the waste contains a small amount of metal shavings or is too dark in color, the gearbox should be washed with pre-purchased flushing material;
- after this, the drain hole should be tightened and the filler plug should be unscrewed;
- using a syringe, fill the box with the required amount of lubricant corresponding to the modification of your Gazelle;
- after the liquid is filled in, screw the filler cap into place;
- To complete the process, you need to drive the car and then inspect the gearbox for lubricant leakage. If this exists, all deficiencies should be eliminated immediately.
Possible malfunctions and repairs
Repair of the GAZelle Next gearbox may be required in the following cases:
- Noise, extraneous sounds near the node. If they occur when the clutch is fully depressed, the cause must be sought in the bearings. Noise while driving indicates gear failures. Wear of the primary and secondary shaft or its gears is the cause of extraneous sounds when driving in fourth gear. Regardless of the mode, the transmission is noisy when there is no oil.
- Inability to turn off or change gear. First you should check the clutch and check the functionality of the pedal. Malfunctions of the clutches and synchronizer cause failures in starting 3.4 speeds.
- Departure of speed.
In all cases, you will need to remove the box for diagnostics and inspect the parts and mechanisms. Having a diagram will allow you to carry out simple repairs yourself. Otherwise, it is better to contact a service center.
Tough: how to break manual transmission gears, and what it entails
The gearbox is one of the most important components of a car, but, paradoxically, it is often one of the most ignored. The engine oil is changed every 10 thousand, they take care of the cleanliness of the oil filter, monitor the operating temperature, oil pressure... In a manual transmission, the oil sometimes lasts for hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and the style of gear shifting and clutch operation adds problems to the box. The result can be quite predictable - so a manual gearbox from a Skoda Octavia came to our workbench, from which, according to the owner, “some kind of crunching noise was heard” when engaging first gear.
Gearbox: why and how
We will not disassemble the device of a manual transmission in detail: we have already talked . However, let’s go over the top to understand the processes that influence our repairs.
And so, globally, a gearbox is needed in order to transmit torque and power from the engine in a variable speed range. To change this range, pairs of gears with different gear ratios are used - it is thanks to them that those one and a half thousand revolutions will “turn” into several dozen revolutions of the drive wheels with a simultaneous increase in torque. The principle is similar to a bicycle: start off on a small sprocket, accelerate to 40 km/h - and switch to the next pair of gears with a smaller gear ratio to go faster. There can be 4 or 5 such shifts - modern manual transmissions are usually five or six speed.
The transmission of torque to the gearbox occurs directly by the meshing of these same gears. Gears are located on shafts - there are two-shaft and three-shaft gearboxes. The former have a primary (drive) and secondary (driven) shaft, while the latter transmit torque from the primary shaft to the secondary through an additional, intermediate one. The gears located on the shafts are in constant mesh, but all pairs, except the one selected as working at a particular moment, rotate freely. To select a pair - that is, to engage one or another gear by rigidly connecting the gear and the driven shaft - they came up with a special coupling and called it a synchronizer - we will talk more about the design and problems of synchronizers in the next material. Operating the gear shift lever from the passenger compartment, you connect one or another gear to the driven shaft through the shift forks and synchronizers and finally transmit torque from the engine to it (and therefore to the wheels).
