Alternator belt tensioner Kalina and alternator belt: replacement

As you know, the Lada Kalina generator belt (belt of attached units) gradually wears out, stretches, etc. during the operation of the car. For this reason, you should constantly check the tension of the generator belt, and also assess the condition of this element for delamination, cracks and other defects.

The fact is that if the alternator belt is worn out or loose, the alternator itself may work worse, which leads to problems with charging the battery. You can also note the appearance of extraneous noise (for example, the alternator belt whistles or makes noise). In such a situation, a worn belt needs to be changed or, at a minimum, tightened if possible. At the same time, the condition of the generator belt rollers should be checked.

It often happens that the belt itself is in good condition, without obvious defects. However, it cannot be tensioned due to the fact that the Kalina belt tensioner has failed. Next, we will look at how to replace the alternator belt on Kalina with your own hands, as well as how to change the Kalina tension roller.

Lada Kalina: alternator belt, tensioner and features

Let us immediately note that not all modifications of the Lada Kalina have an alternator belt tensioner. For example, there are versions with an 8-valve internal combustion engine, where there is no such tensioner initially (Kalina generator belt without a tensioner). In turn, there are also 8-valve versions with a tensioner and 16-valve engines with a tensioner.

Taking into account such features, it is necessary to pay attention to certain nuances when replacing a belt on a particular type of internal combustion engine, as well as when selecting rollers, the belt itself, etc. Let's figure it out.

First of all, it is important to understand when to change the Kalina alternator belt. On a VAZ Lada Kalina with air conditioning, the service life of the alternator belt usually does not exceed 30-35 thousand kilometers. On versions without air conditioning, the belts may take longer, but many owners believe that replacing the Kalina alternator belt is still advisable after 30 thousand km.

Moreover, it should be remembered that the belt may become unusable even before the specified period, which indicates the need for regular inspection (usually every 10 thousand km).

The basic rule is that if there is noise or whistling, or problems with battery charging are noticeable, you need to check the alternator belt. During visual inspection, the presence of cracks on the working surface (track), as well as delaminations and defects on the outer part of the belt, is not allowed. If damage is visible, the element must be replaced.

At the same time, it is important to make the right choice of alternator belt for Kalina, since depending on the modification, different types of belts can be used on Lada Kalina:

on an engine without air conditioning and tensioner, the belt length is 823 mm.
the version with a belt tensioner without air conditioning has a belt of 882-884 mm.
for an engine with air conditioning and tensioner, the length is 1018 mm.
on a 16-valve engine with air conditioning and tensioner, a 995 mm belt is used.

As for the tensioner, in this case the Kalina belt tensioner may also sometimes require replacement. At the same time, the task of selecting a part is simplified, since the tensioner for all types of internal combustion engines where it is installed is the same (item number for the Lada Kalina tensioner is 2123–1041056).

What is it needed for?

As mentioned above, any vehicle is equipped with such an important device as a generator. If it fails, the operation of the vehicle will be impossible. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the performance of all elements of the device, be it a Lada Kalina with a 16- or 8-cl. engine, with or without air conditioning. What is the component size? How is the roller strap adjusted and replaced? How to tighten up? You can find out the answers to these questions in the article.

Car Lada Kalina tuning

Before answering questions that interest Lad Kalin owners, you should understand why this component is needed. Not every motorist knows what role he plays in the functioning of the car.

In modern cars, this belt is the only element that allows you to transmit crankshaft rotation to the generator. When the crankshaft transmits rotation to the device pulley, energy appears in the vehicle's electrical network, thanks to which all electrical equipment operates.

Replacing the alternator belt on Lada Kalina

Let us immediately note that it is easiest to replace the belt on engines that do not have a tensioner. At the same time, replacement on other types of internal combustion engines (with a tensioner) is also not particularly difficult and can easily be done independently.

Let's start with the first option. On an 8-valve engine without a tensioner, replacing the belt will require a 13mm wrench, as well as a small flat-head screwdriver. Please note that on this type of internal combustion engine the belt is very tense.

It is recommended to use only a suitable belt (eg POLY-V six-ribbed belt). It is not advisable to use other belts, as they are rigid and can reduce the life of the generator bearings.

To change the belt, the lower mounting bolt of the generator is unscrewed a couple of turns. Then you will need to unscrew the upper fastening nut, then push out the bolt using a screwdriver and remove the bolt. Afterwards, the generator is lowered to the bottom so that the eye passes through the gap formed between the radiator and the TV body.

Now all that remains is to remove the old belt, then install a new one. If the belt is difficult to tension on the pulleys, you need to know how to tension the alternator belt. You can usually tighten it with a screwdriver. The process is completed by raising the generator, which will allow the belt to be fully tensioned. The top bolt is inserted back, the nut is tightened. Then the bottom bolt is tightened.

On an 8-valve engine with a tensioner, the process for replacing the belt is somewhat different. We also note that if the Kalina generator belt tensioner fails, replacement can also be performed within the framework of strictly removing and installing a new belt.

First of all, you need to prepare keys for 13, 17 and 19 (socket or regular). You also need a head 8 with a ratchet, open-end or simple wrench. At the same time, you should prepare a flathead screwdriver, a needle, cleaner, rags, a cleaning brush and a clean container. Let's add that you will also need to have lubricant for CV joints.

So, to adjust the degree of belt tension on Kalina, a mechanical tensioner is used. Please note that the Kalina generator roller, or rather the Kalina generator belt roller, often requires replacement or maintenance every time the belt itself is changed. As a rule, prevention, which includes applying lubricant, is sufficient.

So, to replace the belt and service the tensioner or replace the belt tensioner, you must first loosen the reverse threaded pulley bolt. Next, remove the plastic plug on the roller using a flat screwdriver;
Afterwards, the locking nut located on the belt tensioner rod must be unscrewed a few turns. Then you need to reduce the belt tension by rotating the rod nut clockwise. You need to rotate until the rod begins to rotate in its installation location.
Next, unscrew the bolt on the side, designed to secure the end of the rod near the tension roller;
The tensioner can now be removed. If it needs to be replaced, you need to install a new tensioner assembly or replace/serve only the roller (will be discussed below).
When replacing the belt, removing the tensioner allows you to remove the belt. Removal begins with the generator pulley. It happens that it is not easy to tighten the belt; you need to carefully pry the belt off with a screwdriver. Next, the belt is removed from the crankshaft pulley.
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Then the roller bolt is removed and the protective rubber bearing caps are pryed off with a needle. Now the bearing can be washed with cleaner (if it is not available, regular gasoline will do). Then apply grease and put the bearing caps in place;
The process is completed by reassembling and installing the roller (the sleeve sits in the bearing on the side where the bracket is located). Now you can install a new belt, which is mounted from the crankshaft pulley to the generator pulley;
Next, install the tensioner, after which the nut is rotated counterclockwise, tightening the belt. The nut itself is twisted until resistance is felt. A normally tensioned belt, when checked, is only slightly pressed when pressed by hand;
After tensioning, tighten the tensioner rod lock nut and check how the alternator belt works. Normally, after starting the internal combustion engine there should be no noise, whistles, squeaks, etc. If a whistle is heard, the belt is further tightened.

How to replace the alternator belt on a Kalina with a 16-valve engine

The main difference from the process discussed above on an 8-valve internal combustion engine is the need to remove the front engine mount. To do this, prepare a head for hexagonal sprockets 11 or Torx E14, a pair of jacks, as well as a key or head 17, a head with a ratchet 8.

As part of the replacement, the car is jacked up, the right wheel and the wheel arch liner are removed. At the same time, the support boot is dismantled. A support is placed under the bottom and the engine protection is removed.

Next, you need to use a second jack to slightly raise the engine, placing a wooden spacer between the jack and the engine crankcase. Then you need to unscrew the TORX E14 bolts that secure the engine support to the bracket.

We also recommend reading the article on how to check and repair the VAZ 2109 generator. From this article you will learn how to check the VAZ 2109 generator, as well as what needs to be taken into account when diagnosing the 2109 generator.

If the bolts are difficult to unscrew, use the lower jack to slightly change the position of the engine to make unscrewing easier. You also need to unscrew the 3 TORX E14 bolts that secure the support to the side members.

Then release the belt tension by unscrewing the locking nut. The nut is rotated 8 mm clockwise until the belt is completely loosened. Now you can remove the belt, and then thread a new belt through the place where the support stood. If necessary, lubricate the tension roller according to the scheme already discussed above.

Having installed the belt, it should be tightened by turning nut 8 counterclockwise. The degree of tension is checked by hand by pushing the belt. Having received the desired tension, it is fixed with a nut 19.

Afterwards, reassembly is performed and the engine is test run. In order for the check to be carried out correctly, the belt must be loaded by turning on powerful energy consumers, as well as the air conditioner.

If the alternator belt whistles, it needs to be tightened. To do this, do not turn off the engine, since it is enough to loosen the lock and slightly tighten the tensioner rod. The tightening is carried out until the whistling disappears. When the whistle has disappeared, all that remains is to tighten the lock nut. Finally, we note that if initially there was no whistling of the alternator belt, but it appeared later, the tightening process needs to be repeated.

Replacement in 16-valve version

Such Lada Kalina engines are equipped with air conditioning, which makes the replacement procedure slightly different from that previously indicated for an 8-valve engine.

We remove the loosened and dismantled belt from the pulleys through the bottom of the engine compartment.
For this purpose, we release one of the engine mounts.
You will also need to lift the car and remove the right front wheel.
After these manipulations, we dismantle the fender liner on the corresponding side and the crankcase protection of the unit.
Now we remove the weakened support, after first lifting the engine sump with a jack (through a wooden or other gasket).
Then carefully lower the unit until it becomes possible to remove the belt.
We perform installation using the reverse algorithm.

Let's sum it up

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that the Kalina generator tensioner is no less important than the belt itself. In practice, the presence of a tensioner allows you to increase the service life of the generator bearings. The main thing is to use this solution correctly, avoid over-tightening the belt, and also maintain and change the tensioner if the mechanism fails.

We also recommend reading the article on how to replace the timing belt on a VAZ 2114 with your own hands. From this article you will learn about the features of the replacement, how to replace the VAZ 2114 timing belt, as well as what subtleties and nuances you should pay attention to as part of this procedure.

As a result, let us remind you once again that the quality of the generator’s operation and battery charging will directly depend on the condition of the tensioner and the alternator belt itself. Also, if the belt slips, malfunctions in the operation of other attachments cannot be ruled out. For this reason, the generator belt must be checked regularly, as well as the belt and tensioner itself must be changed according to regulations or, if necessary, in case of emergency situations.

When is it time to change?

On Lada Kalina cars, the manufacturer does not regulate the replacement of this part. However, its failure is a common problem. In particular, we are talking about Lada Kalina cars. This applies to both 16-cl and 8-cl engines.

This is what a deformed element of a Kalina generator with an 8-cyl internal combustion engine looks like

Therefore, let’s look at the signs that indicate that the belt may fail in the near future:

Whistle when moving. As a rule, this whistle appears when the electrical appliances of the vehicle begin to load. For example, if you start the car, and when you press the gas, a loud whistle is heard from the engine compartment, this indicates that the belt is loose. In this case, it must be tightened using a tensioner or replaced.
Cracks on the strap. If you open the hood, look at the belt and see cracks on it, then you know that it’s time to change the element. Neither tensioning nor adjusting the rollers will help here. The component can be tightened, but this will not be enough for a long time. The only option left is replacement.
Deformation. As in the previous case, neither tightening the tensioner nor adjusting the rollers will give much effect. You just need to change the element.
Noise when the engine is running. If the element has already served its service life, this can be understood by the noise that appears when the motor is running. For example, some Lad Kalin car owners report loud knocking and even impacts when the engine is running.