VAZ-2101, engine: characteristics, repair, assembly

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

On a VAZ 2101 car, the engine has a working volume of 1.2 liters. This is the minimum engine volume, it was installed on almost all VAZ cars. Some argue that Fiat engines were put on a penny. But we must not forget that the 2101 engine was really made on the basis of an Italian-made car engine. That's just the distance between the centers of the cylinders is much greater than that of Fiat. Due to this, VAZ engineers could, on the same basis, make an engine with a different volume. Actually, engines with a displacement of 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 3, as well as for Niva cars, came from it.

Positive qualities of the engine

A 4-cylinder in-line engine is installed on the "penny", the camshaft is located at the top. The drive of the gas distribution mechanism on the "penny" is carried out using a chain. If you don’t tear the engine much, then its resource is about 200 thousand km. It is worth noting that several decades ago, tests were carried out on engines that were installed on cars that traveled throughout the Soviet Union. In the tests tookparticipation of cars that traveled through deserts, steppes, in permafrost conditions. Moreover, the motors have traveled more than 200 thousand kilometers. And they have never been overhauled. As shown by the tests carried out, they could still serve for a very long time without repair. Their resource turned out to be quite high. At the same time, only the oil recommended by the manufacturer was poured into the VAZ 2101 engine.

Motor maintenance

True, the engine needs timely maintenance. In particular, it is demanding on the size of the valve clearance. About once every ten thousand kilometers it is necessary to carry out an adjustment. If this is not done, then a knock will appear, and after warming up the engine may simply stall. As for the penny engine injection system, it also needs adjustments and repairs. It is worth noting that the motor has a lot of shortcomings, if you look at it from the point of view of modern technology. About 700 grams of oil is consumed per thousand kilometers. This is a lot. It is also quite common for the engine to overheat. And the reason for this may lie both in the thermostat and in the liquid pump. Much less often it lies in the breakdown of the fan. On some, you can still find a cooling system that uses a mechanically driven impeller. Sometimes a high temperature in the engine occurs after refueling with gasoline with a very high octane rating. On a VAZ 2101 car, engine power can be increased if you spend somemodernization. This will be discussed below.

Exhaust smoke

If the engine began to smoke, then, most likely, the seals on the valves were destroyed. Or the guide bushings are completely worn out. Among the minor faults, one can single out, for example, the wrong setting of the carburetor, it creates too rich a mixture. And the saddest failure is the destruction of the rings on the pistons. On a VAZ 2101 car, the engine was originally equipped with a classic contact ignition system. She is very picky, requires constant care, cleaning contacts, adjusting gaps. Therefore, many motorists prefer to install a contactless ignition system. But what engine can be put on the VAZ 2101? There is only one answer to this - anyone! It all depends on how "golden" your hands are.

Piston group

Fortunately, you can improve the motor if you upgrade it. Of course, you will have to get rid of all the shortcomings that are described above. You will also need to acquire the necessary tools and materials, which entails certain financial waste. It would be much easier to install an engine from nine or twelfth, they are more high-speed and powerful. And most importantly - they fit perfectly on the mounts. Of course, you can bore the cylinders up to a diameter of 82 millimeters in order to subsequently install pistons from the Niva car. But pay attention to the fact that the bottom of the pistons is flat. Best to takethese elements are from a VAZ 2112 car. Provided that the total stroke is 66 millimeters, the engine volume will increase to 1.4 liters. Consequently, the power characteristic of the VAZ 2101 engine will improve much.

Tuning nuances

But pay attention to the year of manufacture of the engine of your "penny". If earlier than 74 years, then such an option with Niva pistons can work. If later, then you can install pistons with a maximum diameter of 79 millimeters. In this case, it is desirable to install a crankshaft from a newer model 2103, it is advisable to take the connecting rods from it. But note that you should not install short cranks.

They increase the force with which the pistons are pressed against the cylinder. Consequently, the reliability of the motor, as well as its resource, deteriorates many times over. And when the VAZ 2101 engine is being repaired with your own hands, consider all the nuances, try to comply with the requirements.