Hydraulic compensator - what is it? Knock of hydraulic lifters: causes, repair

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

Valve clearances are a pretty serious subject. If they are not properly adjusted, the motor may fail. Previously, it was necessary to set gaps on cars every 20 thousand kilometers. This is not difficult to do, but accuracy is important here - if the values \u200b\u200bdo not match, you can ruin the motor with your own hands. Nobody is doing this now. Modern cars are equipped with a device such as a hydraulic compensator. What is this node? How does he work? All this and more - further in our article.

Hydraulic compensator - what is it?

This element is a hydraulic assembly that can eliminate the effects of valve actuator extensions that are affected by temperature. During operation, the engine becomes very hot. Accordingly, all existing gaps under temperature increase.

Valves are no exception. As a result, the gap between the contact surfaces is greatly reduced. To compensate for this, hydraulic valve lifters are needed.

How it works

Hydraulic compensators (including VAZ-2170) are a small kind of hand pump. There is a ball valve inside. Throughit leaks oil. Under pressure, it begins to push the piston up. The clearance between the valve and the cam is reduced. Note that the amount of lubricant that is supplied inside is strictly metered. The slightest discrepancy will produce more or less piston lift, causing the clearance to deviate.

During the operation of the engine, a development occurs, due to which this distance increases again. The pressure level in such an element as hydraulic lifters ("Priora" is no exception) drops. To restore this value, a ball valve is opened in the system. The correct volume of oil is released under pressure - the gap returns to normal.

Thus, hydraulic compensators ("Priora" or "Grant" - it does not matter) perform automatic adjustment of the distance between the cam and the valve. The presence of mechanical adjustment is not necessary here at all.

Benefits

What are the advantages of a hydraulic lifter? What is this detail, we have already considered. Based on the above, it should be concluded that they significantly extend the life of the engine. At the same time, the sound of the power unit (including the gas distribution mechanism) is much quieter. This is achieved by selecting the optimal gap. As a result, the car does not lose dynamics, there is no loss of compression, and most importantly, no manual adjustments.

Flaws

It would seem, what could be the disadvantages of a part called a hydraulic compensator? What are these factors? The main disadvantage of hydraulic lifters is the useexceptionally high quality oils. These little parts are so capricious that even with a good lubricant (which has already exhausted its resource) they can fail. Therefore, the oil on such cars should be changed strictly according to the regulations and do not buy questionable products. Some motorists rely on engine additives. They pour them into the engine and drive 20 thousand kilometers without changing the oil.

This is extremely dangerous. With every kilometer traveled in oil in excess of the intended resource, engine repair becomes an order of magnitude more expensive. First of all, this concerns the elements of the gas distribution mechanism, since this part is closely related to its operation. The presence of the slightest mote in the form of the production of rings and liners stops the operation of such a part as a hydraulic compensator. What does it mean? The holes brought out for oil become clogged and the piston is unable to perform its former work. As a result, the element ceases to function, not producing the proper clearance.

Checking performance

As we have already noted, this part can easily fail due to violation of the operating rules. However, it is quite possible to prevent further destruction of the motor, and this does not require special tools and equipment. What signs can be used to determine their failure? The sound of hydraulic lifters is the first “bell” indicating that a part has broken down.

If a characteristic “clatter” occurs during idling, then oneof the elements has become unusable - clogged or simply expired.

What to do in this case?

First you need to get the dipstick and look at the oil level (of course, when the engine is off - during operation it will be sprayed all over the dipstick). If it's low, be sure to top it up. And only the brand that was used before. Observe viscosity. If semi-synthetics 15w40 were used, pouring oil with a different viscosity, and even more so from a different manufacturer, is extremely dangerous. After topping up to the correct level, start the engine again.

The characteristic "clatter" should disappear. Due to the low quantity, oil did not enter the compensators. Accordingly, their pistons remained in their previous positions.

Knock is not gone

A more deplorable case is if the work of compensators is heard at a normal level. In such a situation, two options are possible. The first is that the car has traveled many kilometers, and the compensators have simply exhausted their resource. The second - low-quality oil was poured, which provoked a breakdown. It is possible that coking of the engine has formed - part of the soot has settled into the hydraulic lifters. The price of new elements for domestic cars is 2 thousand rubles per set.

Replacement and repair

It is highly not recommended to repair these devices, restore the gap on your own and blow it through. Experts advise changing parts to new ones. Moreover, they are relatively inexpensive.

So, for startersYou need to remove the engine trim. Next, the receiver is removed. All intake ports are sealed with a piece of clean rag to prevent further dirt from entering the combustion chamber. Then the ignition module and the crankcase ventilation hose are dismantled. After that, unscrew the bolts of the bracket for the power wires of the injector. If this is a 16-valve engine, 15 valve cover bolts are unscrewed. It should be put in a clean place so that dirt does not get into the oil later. After that, hydraulic lifters are visible in front of us. To check the performance of each, you need a screwdriver. By smooth pressing on the top of the element, we check the movement of the piston. A serviceable element is compressed with great effort. If you do not have to press hard to do this, the hydraulic compensator is out of order and must be replaced. Drive gears are dismantled from the camshaft (there are two of them on a 16-valve engine), the oil pressure sensor is turned off. We unscrew the mounting bolts of the bearing housing and the nuts of the bracket for the rear support of the camshafts.

Then remove the support together with the spark plug guides. We take out the camshafts (they will be installed back according to the marks) and put them in a clean place. Using a magnet, we take out the hydraulic compensator and pusher. We install a new element in its place. Assembly should be done in the reverse order, taking into account the marks of the camshafts. After such a repair, the knock of the hydraulic lifters will definitely be eliminated.

So, we found out what thismechanism, how it works and how to replace it with your own hands.