Self-diagnosis and replacement of the Lada Kalina alternator belt

When to change?

VAZ Lada Kalina vehicles use a belt drive for auxiliary units. On cars with air conditioning, the service life of such a belt is no more than 30 thousand km. On simple versions of cars, the strap can last longer, but most owners try to change it after the same 30 thousand kilometers traveled. For various reasons, the belt may fail earlier, so it must be checked periodically during vehicle operation. There should be no cracks on the working track, and delamination on the outer part of the belt is unacceptable. If such defects are present, we immediately change the strap. Another signal to replace this element is a whistle or other noise when the unit is operating.

The process of replacing the belt on a Kalina with air conditioning (sixteen valves) is presented in a video from the user Alexander.

Which belt to buy

The efficiency of the car engine depends on the quality of the parts used in the timing mechanism drive (tensioner roller, belt). When repairing or servicing a car, it is advisable to use original parts, but in some cases, non-original spare parts for automobile components have worked well.

The article number of the original timing belt is 21126–1006040 , which is produced by the RTI plant in Balakovo. Experts recommend confidently using parts from Gates, Bosch, Contitech, Optibelt, Dayco. When choosing, you should be especially careful, since under the brand name of well-known manufacturers you can buy a fake.

How to change it yourself?

The complexity of replacing the alternator belt on Kalina does not depend on the number of valves or additional units on the engine.

Replacement on 8 valve engines without tensioner

Replacing the belt on such an engine is the simplest; the only tools you need are a 13 mm wrench and a short flat-blade screwdriver. Since the tension in such a drive scheme is quite strong, when changing it is necessary to use only a Gates 6PK823SF or Dayco 825 six-V belt with the additional marking POLY-V. The remaining straps are too rigid, quickly collapse and damage the bearing on the generator shaft.

Stages of work

To complete the task you need to do the following:

1. Unscrew the lower mounting bolt of the generator 2-3 turns.
2. Unscrew the nut of the upper fastening, use a screwdriver to push out the bolt and remove it completely.
3. Lower the generator down. The eye of the mechanism must pass through the gap between the radiator and the TV body.
4. Remove the old belt and replace it with a new one. If the strap does not fit easily onto the pulleys, you can carefully tighten it using a screwdriver.
5. Raise the generator up, ensuring the belt is tensioned.
6. Insert the upper mounting point bolt and tighten the nut.
7. Tighten the lower mounting point bolt.
8. Check the operation of the belt.

The repair process on such an engine is clearly shown in the video filmed by the author Ilgiz Magafurov.

Replacement on 8 valve engines with tensioner

Here, the procedure for installing a new alternator belt is very different from that presented above.

Required Tools

To replace the alternator belt yourself, you will need at least the following tools:

• regular or box wrench for 13, 17 and 19 mm nuts;
• a head with a ratchet for 8 mm nuts; if it is not available, an open-end or regular wrench of the same size will do;
• a screwdriver with a thin flat blade;
• thin needle;
• rags;
• white spirit or gasoline, approximately 0.5 liters;
• container and brush for washing;
• CV joint bearing lubricant.

Stages of work

To adjust the degree of belt tension on Kalina engines, a mechanical tensioner is used, in contrast to the timing drive, which uses a hydraulic tensioner. When changing an element, it is recommended to carry out preventive maintenance of the roller by adding fresh lubricant.

To complete the work you need to do the following:

1. Loosen the roller bolt. The thread on it is reversed.
2. Use a screwdriver to pry up the plastic plug on the roller and carefully remove it.
3. Unscrew the fixing nut on the tensioner rod a few turns.
4. Loosen the belt tension by rotating the rod nut clockwise. The nut must be unscrewed until the rod begins to move freely in the seat.
5. Unscrew the side bolt securing the rod end, located next to the tension roller.
6. Remove the tensioner and set it aside.
7. Proceed to dismantle the strap. The procedure must begin with the generator pulley, while overcoming the slight resistance of the belt.
8. Remove the element from the crankshaft pulley and remove it completely.
9. Unscrew the roller bolt and remove it.
10. Using a needle, carefully pry up and remove the protective caps on the bearing. Wash the bearing with white spirit or gasoline.
11. Refill with fresh grease and install protective rubber caps.
12. Assemble all the parts and mount the roller in place. When assembling, you must remember that the bushing is in the bearing on the side of the bracket.
13. Change the belt by installing it in the reverse order - from the crankshaft pulley to the generator pulley.
14. Install the tensioner and begin tightening the belt by turning the nut counterclockwise. The nut must be tightened until the resistance increases. A well-tensioned strap should be slightly pressed when pressed by hand.
15. Tighten the nut securing the tensioner rod.
16. Check the operation of the mechanism; if a whistle occurs, tighten the strap.

Diagnostics of the alternator belt on Lada Kalina

The generator belt has the same principle of operation: it takes torque from the engine and transmits it to the generator pulley. The latter spins up and supplies energy to the on-board network.

Signs of belt failure include:

• various noises or whistles, especially on a cold engine;
• whistling after driving through puddles;
• poor generator performance - the light dims from time to time;
• lack of charge from the generator;

In the latter case, most likely, the belt has already broken. But before that there will be the above signs. As the belt wears out, it cracks and loses its shape. From time to time, the belt slips and deprives the on-board network of electricity, which is why the light flickers.

It is when driving through puddles that the generator belt on Kalina receives a large portion of water, which reduces friction between the belt and pulley. This creates an unpleasant squeal.

Another reason to think about the condition of the belt is the noise of the tension roller, which is created by worn bearings. Like the belt, it shows itself more often when it’s hot.

The condition of the belt must be checked by external inspection. This procedure is performed once every 60 thousand km. The belt is checked for cracks or fraying.

Then you need to make a decision about replacing it or stretching it. Only tighten the belt without any visible signs of wear. The presence of at least one crack is a reason to replace the product.

Replacement cost

The cost of changing a belt on a Lada Kalina car depends on the type of engine, range of units and is:

• for a motor without a tensioner - from 300 rubles;
• engines with a tensioner without air conditioning - from 150 to 350 rubles;
• motors with tensioner and air conditioning - from 220 to 400 rubles;
• for unit 21127 - about 600 rubles.

Replacing the roller will require an additional 250 rubles. The total amount required by the car owner to purchase spare parts, in the maximum version, will not exceed 850 rubles.

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.

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

Video “Replacing the belt on Lada Kalina”

The author Kalinin talks about the procedure for replacing the belt on his Kalina with a tensioner.

The generator plays one of the main functions in the operation of the engine, and a broken belt can sadly affect the operation of the car as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to replace this element when it has not yet broken during movement. In the article you will learn why a Kalina 8 cl generator belt is needed, its size and how to replace the belt.

Determination of malfunction and replacement time

Identifying a damaged alternator belt is quite simple. Let's look at the main indicators:

• Whistle in the space under the engine. Appears after increasing the speed of the gas pedal and increasing the current in the network.
• Tightening the strap did not work; the whistle remained.
• Cracked or elastic belt Bad alternator belt, bad belt - broken (torn) teeth
• Frame distortion, deviation. The crack in the alternator belt is clearly visible.

Bad alternator belt, bad alternator belt, broken teeth.

The crack in the alternator belt is clearly visible.

All these malfunctions indicate that it is time to replace the alternator belt on Kalina’s car. Otherwise, it may be torn apart at the most inopportune moment.

A torn stripe on one of the Kalinas

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.

Let's sum it up

We hope that our material will help many Lada Kalina owners who are faced with a problem and need to replace the alternator belt. We examined in detail the replacement options, both on 8-valve engines and on 16-valve units.

We recommend systematically monitoring the condition of this belt and replacing it in a timely manner; fortunately, it is not difficult, and now you know how to change the belt. Buy only high-quality products, and you will not be faced with sudden trouble on the road.

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.

Belt selection, catalog number, price

Each belt in a car has its own service life and resource, and therefore requires periodic replacement. So, which alternator belt should be installed on an 8-valve Lada Kalina and how is this done?

Original number and belt size:

• Knowing the original catalog number. You can easily find a suitable belt using it, without knowing either the size or the teeth.
• By size and type of teeth (number of ribs = 6, size = 1018 mm). The belt marking for Lada Kalina with 8 valves is 6PK1018.Gates 6pk108 is an ideal price/quality ratio. This is the right size for this car. The teeth of the generator belt in Kalina do not run along the base of the court, but along it, having 6 strips that are installed on the corresponding pulleys.

Gates 6p108 - ideal value for money

This is the size that fits this car. The Kalina's alternator belt teeth do not run across the bottom edge of the belt, but along it, with six belts that need to be installed on the corresponding pulleys.

Please note that replacing the alternator belt also involves the tensioner, which wears out along with it. It also needs to be replaced during the replacement process.

When choosing a belt and roller, the rider faces a difficult task: original or analogue. Both are good. But what if you don't have a strap when shopping in a store?

Alternator belt items for Kalina

• The original article number of the alternator belt on the 8-valve Lada Kalina is 1118-1041020. The average cost in the Russian Federation is 750 rubles. An analogue of the original alternator belt 1118-1041020 - 6PK1018.
• The original generator belt pulley costs about the same, about 750 rubles, and has a catalog number - 2123-1041056. A complete set of spare parts for replacing the alternator belt on an 8-valve Kalina will cost owners 1,500 rubles. Old pulley 2123-1041056 and new alternator belt tensioner pulley.

Analogue of the original alternator belt 1118-1041020 - 6PK1018

Old pulley and new generator belt tensioner pulley 2123-1041056

Table of alternator belt analogues for the 8-valve Lada Kalina

All such stripes turned out to be quite good and won the trust of drivers.

Table of alternator belt roller analogues for the 8-valve Lada Kalina

How to change the belt yourself

If you have ever encountered the need to replace a belt on a 16-cl or 8-cl engine, then this procedure will not take much time. If you are encountering this for the first time and have never heard of a generator before, we recommend that you seek help from specialists. Don't forget that one wrong action can lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, these instructions will help everyone who decides to replace the belt for the first time.

Required Tools

Of course, any repair work begins with the preparation of the necessary tools. To replace the strap on an 8- or 16-cl. Lada Kalina engine, prepare:

• open-end wrench size “19”;
• socket wrench set to “8”;
• wrench to “13”;
• new alternator belt.

Stages of work

If you have prepared everything that may be required in the process, then you can begin the replacement work. So let's get started:

1. Turn off the engine and open the hood of the Lada Kalina.
2. The alternator belt can be found on the left side of the engine compartment. If you don’t know where it is, then start the engine and look in the engine compartment. The strap will rotate on rollers and you will see it.
3. Having found the installation location of the element, take a wrench and loosen the screw that secures the adjusting rod. Immediately try to touch the belt to see how tight it is. This is necessary so that you understand how to set the tensioner after installing the element.
4. When the nut is loosened, take an “8” spanner and tighten the adjusting rod. When you start turning it clockwise, the tension on the generator belt on the rollers will be loosened. Turn the rod almost all the way.
5. This will loosen the belt tensioner on the rollers. If the tensioner is already loose, you can unscrew the lower fastening of the device. To do this, use the key at “13”.
6. It is necessary to move the adjusting rod upward. When the rod is pulled back, the strap can be removed, but first remove it from the shaft of the device.
7. Once the belt portion is removed from the pulley assembly, remove it completely from the crankshaft.
8. Pull out the element and visually inspect it. If the strap is cracked, you will see other signs of deformation, for example, the shape has changed, then it must be replaced. Install the new component in place of the old one, assembling everything in reverse order.
9. When the installation of the element is completed, it is necessary to check the tension on the rollers. The tension must be adjusted using the appropriate rod. The element should not be too loose as it will regularly come off while riding. But it shouldn’t be too tense either.
10. Start the engine and warm up the car to 50 degrees. Then turn off the engine and check again how tightly the element is tensioned. If it's loose, tighten it.

Replacement (8-valve unit)

The main question: how to change? After purchasing a new consumable component and preparing the necessary list of tools, we begin the process.

1. We turn off the 8 valve engine of the Lada Kalina and look under the hood.
2. We are looking for the location of the generator. We’ll give a hint to beginners: this unit is located on the right side, if you look at the car as it moves.
3. Now we “remove” the tension, for which we loosen the tightening torque of the screw on the adjusting rod of the tensioning device. Before this manipulation, we recommend checking the belt tension so that after installing the new component, you can ensure an approximately identical condition.
4. We arm ourselves with an “8” key and turn the threads of the adjusting rod to the full amount, which allows us to reduce the tension as much as possible.
5. Using a size 13 wrench, unscrew the lower fastening element.
6. Move the tensioner rod upward and remove the used generator belt from both pulleys.

As you can see, the dismantling operation on the 8-valve engine did not present any particular difficulties. Also, the installation procedure, performed in reverse order, is quite simple and quick. After the installation process, do not forget to check the tension level, whose correct “value” will eliminate the risk of the product jumping off when driving. Experts make a recommendation related to the need to re-check how the belt is tensioned. This is done after starting the Lada Kalina engine and running it for a short time.