Thermostat device Lada Kalina

The Lada Kalina car is a fairly popular model, which has recently been actively in demand in the secondary market. In general, the car is quite simple and reliable, but there are some “childhood diseases”.

In the case of this car, it was the Kalina stove and the cooling system as a whole that turned out to be not entirely finalized. For this reason, owners are often faced with the fact that the engine is warmed up, but the stove on Kalina blows cold or slightly warm air, the engine itself overheats, antifreeze leaks appear, etc.

Moreover, such problems can be eliminated at minimal cost. The main thing is to take into account the nuances and scope of modernization work in advance. Next, we will look at what to do if the Kalina heater does not work well, the engine cooling system (ECS) becomes airy, overheating occurs, etc.

Characteristics of the Lada Kalina thermostat

The thermostat is an important engine cooling system; it occupies a place between the radiator and the cylinder block of the power unit. By design, this is a housing with an automatic valve, which, when the coolant is heated to a certain temperature, opens a large circulation circuit through the main cooling radiator. By closing the large circuit when the engine is cool, the car warms up much faster when circulating through the small circuit. The wear of its moving parts is reduced, overheating is eliminated, and the volume of harmful substances released into the environment is reduced.

A working thermostat allows you to warm up the engine to operating temperature, which for Kalina is 90-95 degrees. Over time, the valve wears out, and the heater maintains a temperature of no higher than 80 degrees. A working device helps the engine quickly warm up even in severe frost. Thanks to this device, the stove on Kalina is considered one of the warmest on VAZ cars. According to experts and car enthusiasts, the best price-quality ratio is the standard thermostat produced by DAAZ. It's all about a special screw, with which you can independently adjust the valve opening temperature. It is impossible not to take into account the reliability of factory products, which in this regard are superior to most analogues.

The same thermostats are used for 8- and 16-valve engines.

Solving the problem of airing the engine cooling system on Lada cars

December 17, 2014 LadaOnline 175 178

Have you noticed that the heater in your car is blowing cold air? There may be several reasons for the problem, but most often this occurs due to the formation of an air lock in the engine cooling system. Next, we will tell you how to remove air from the cooling system of Lada cars (Granta, Kalina, Priora, Largus, Niva, Vesta or XRAY) in several ways.

Let us remind you that AvtoVAZ installs the same type of power units on its models, so the instructions are similar for all Lada cars.

Method No. 1

Remove the hose from the throttle body heating.
Open the cap of the expansion tank, cover the neck with a clean rag and blow into the tank.
When antifreeze starts flowing from the removed tube, quickly put the hose back in place and tighten it with a clamp.

Attention! Coolant is a toxic substance, so we recommend that you use other methods to solve the problem.

Method No. 2

Warm up the engine until pressure builds up in the engine cooling system.
Stop the engine and remove the hose from the throttle body heating. We do not open the expansion tank cap.
As soon as antifreeze runs out of the hose, quickly put it back on and tighten it with a clamp.

Attention! Antifreeze can be very hot, be careful.

Method No. 3

With the engine cooled down, remove the upper hose from the expansion tank coming from the radiator of the cooling system.
Fill the reservoir to the maximum with coolant and tighten the cap.
We place the hose in an empty canister, and put a hose from the air pump (for inflating tires) on the tank nozzle.
We pump up the pressure in the tank with a pump, and at the same time the antifreeze will pour into the canister.
We monitor the level of coolant in the expansion tank and add it if necessary.
After 2-3 additions of liquid, we restore all connections.

If air in the cooling system occurs periodically, then the car’s cooling system is not sealed. Check the connections of all system hoses for leaks, as well as the expansion tank cap.

See also other photo reports on DIY Lada repairs.

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How the device works

Photo 2 (Heater valve operation diagram)

Heater valve operation diagram

When the engine is cold, the thermostat valve is in the closed position, and antifreeze circulates in a small circle, passing only through the heater core and through the water jacket of the block. When the engine warms up to operating temperature, the valve opens completely and the liquid begins to circulate in a large circle, passing through the radiator, where it cools. This prevents overheating of the power unit.

In winter, warming up takes less time thanks to the thermostat - the heater radiator heats up earlier, and the cabin becomes warm within a few minutes, while saving fuel. The thermostat must be replaced if, when the temperature reaches 95 degrees or more, the valve does not open - the engine begins to overheat. If the motor, on the contrary, cannot warm up, it means that the device does not close and must also be replaced.

In design, this is a simple product consisting of a body, a main and bypass valve, a temperature-sensitive element, two inlet and one outlet pipe. Depending on the manufacturer, the thermostat is made of copper, brass or heat-resistant plastic. The heat-sensitive solid element is based on technical wax. When heated, it melts and, expanding, presses on the main valve, forcing it to open, thereby passing coolant in a large circle. The wax melts quickly thanks to the copper, aluminum and graphite powder that is included in its composition.

You can check the performance of the heater without installing it in the cooling system. To do this, place the device in a container of water and place it on the stove. As the liquid heats up, the thermostat valve opens approximately 3 centimeters. This way you can make sure that the device is working properly before installing it.

Traditional Troubleshooting Methods

To solve the problem of airing, you should open the expansion tank, start the engine, press the gas pedal several times until the sensor arrow reaches the red zone. If the fan turns on, you need to squeeze the gas all the way several times and turn off the ignition. If this method is ineffective, the following procedure is used. The plastic motor protection is removed, the clamp is lowered and one of the fitting tubes is dismantled. The expansion tank cap is opened and the system is purged until coolant begins to pour out of the removed tube.

A standard modification to the cooling system involves installing a new 6-hole thermostat, coolant filter and heater valve. To maximize coolant flow and minimize the risk of overheating, you will need to install an additional pump.

Thermostat malfunctions

The thermostat is a consumable item, which means it cannot be repaired. You can carry out the replacement yourself or contact a car service center with this question. In the first case, only the cost of the device itself will be included in the costs. When contacting specialists, about 400 rubles will be added to this amount for the work of a car mechanic. The part is changed because there is nothing to repair in it. The most common malfunction is the failure of a solid-state temperature-sensitive element.

The thermostat on the Lada Kalina is located in the cooling system circuit between the radiator and the engine block - immediately below the air filter. It is enough to move it aside to see the device.

Before changing the thermostat or checking its performance, you need to know what malfunctions are typical for it. There are three signs that indicate a breakdown:

The valve is stuck open. In this case, the coolant always circulates in a large circle, even when starting a cold engine. It takes much longer for the engine to warm up to operating temperature. In the summer, such a breakdown does not bring any inconvenience to the car owner, but with the onset of cold weather the engine may not warm up at all. The stove will not work as expected and fuel consumption will increase.
The valve is stuck in the closed position. If the device cannot open, then the coolant circulates only in a small circle. The engine will constantly overheat, and there will be a risk of complete failure. Long-term operation of the vehicle with such a malfunction is prohibited. To prevent overheating, you can turn on the heater fan at maximum blowing speed and constantly monitor the engine temperature gauge.
The valve opens earlier than it should. When the valve opens at a temperature of 70-75 degrees, the engine does not have time to warm up to operating temperature and spends more time and fuel on this.

The latter problem occurs rarely - mainly on devices that are not suitable for use on this car or are made in a homemade way.

Causes of malfunctions and ways to identify them

The most common problems:

the appearance of corrosion on the moving elements of the device is rare, mainly when tap water is used instead of antifreeze;
foreign objects entering the housing, contamination or scale formation;
low quality antifreeze;
Coolant pump malfunction.

Eliminating air pockets in the radiator

Since the system in question is absolutely sealed, getting rid of air is not so easy. The car must be placed on any inclined surface with the front facing up (the steeper, the more effective). You should warm up the power unit until the second circulation circle opens, move the temperature regulator to the maximum position, direct the air flow into the cabin and activate the fan at second speed. Next, increasing the engine speed to 4.5-5 thousand, we hold it for some time.

Then the pedal is released until the idle speed appears. If the problem is not completely resolved, the procedure should be repeated.

Despite the fact that modern domestic cars have updated characteristics, some factory defects are still present. Modification of the cooling system on the Lada Kalina is available in several ways and helps to avoid the formation of air locks. Moreover, the procedure does not require significant financial investment.

How can you modify the heater?

The new models Lada Kalina 2 and Lada Granta use a cooling system operating scheme with parallel connection of the heater radiator. Because of this, the operating temperature is reduced to 85 degrees, which is slightly lower than on previous models of the VAZ family. Many car owners seriously believe that this temperature cannot be normal - there is increased fuel consumption, as well as a decrease in the service life of moving engine parts due to premature wear. But according to experts, there is no connection between the reduced operating temperature and engine life.

The cooling system of the Lada Kalina works more efficiently thanks to a single-circuit design. Such a modernization only benefited the engine; it made it possible to change the ignition timing, resulting in fuel savings. The inertia of the thermostat is also reduced. The downside was the mediocre heating of the cabin at sub-zero temperatures. The way out of the situation is to independently modify the thermostat. Modification involves two main methods:

shorten the rod of the solid-state temperature-sensitive element;
replace the thermocouple.

For cars with a cable gas pedal, a heated throttle assembly from the cooling system is used. In this case, an additional circulation circle is added.

Adjusting the thermocouple rod

Shortening the end of the thermosensitive element rod will allow you to adjust the operating temperature to 90-95 degrees. Trimming is carried out sequentially in increments of no more than one millimeter. The metal is soft, so the procedure must be carried out carefully. It is advisable to reinstall the thermostat after each millimeter cut and check how much the operating temperature rises while driving.

If the result does not meet expectations, you can adjust the rod further until the arrow on the instrument panel shows 95 degrees and the air in the cabin begins to warm up faster. The method is simple but effective. Among the disadvantages, there is a slight increase in wear of SOD parts due to operation at high temperatures. If you overdo it with shortening, you can ruin the device.

Replacing the temperature sensor

The thermocouple can be replaced entirely. The Wahler brand thermostat insert is suitable for Lada Kalina: 3017.87 D (at 87° C) or 3091.92 B (at 90° C). The thermoelement is replaced as an assembly with a spring, and the device will have to be cut with a hacksaw to remove the insert. A more convenient option is to buy a thermostat from BEHR - you don’t have to cut or adjust anything

You can also use analogues from Daewoo Nexia or Renault Logan cars. Logan's thermal insert requires adjustment.

If a LUZAR thermostat is installed on Grant, then replacing the temperature-sensitive element is not possible.

Judging by the reviews of car owners who have made such modifications, fuel consumption while warming up the engine has decreased slightly.

Throttle body heating

Another way to upgrade the heater is to create an additional throttle valve heating circuit. Some drivers are trying to prevent the unit from freezing in winter in this way. The method is clearly not for beginners. It consists of drilling a hole in the cover of the device and welding an additional fitting to it, through which heated antifreeze will be discharged. The thermostat mounting studs will also have to be lengthened. The process is labor-intensive and ultimately impractical. Freezing of the throttle assembly is the exception rather than the rule, so there is no point in carrying out such an upgrade.

Changing the thermal insert

You can replace the entire thermal insert. Wahler inserts are ideal for the standard Grant thermostat: 3017.87 D (at 87° C) and 3091.92 B (at 90° C). The insert changes along with the spring. This modernization is carried out using thermostats manufactured by BEHR (which is equipped with the new BAZ-2190 car). There is no need to make any modifications or fit new parts. The BEHR thermostat is dismountable, and the Wahler “thermos” will have to be cut with a hacksaw in order to remove the thermocouple.

Alternatively, you can use a Daewoo Nexia, Renault Logan or Vernet 4898.92 part as a “donor”, but the diameter of the latter’s thermoelement is slightly larger than necessary and requires adjustment. For Luzar models such a replacement is not possible.

Some car enthusiasts who have made this modification claim that fuel consumption, although slightly, has decreased.

Replacing the thermostat

On the automotive spare parts market you can find a large number of thermostats from various manufacturers; their cost varies from 400 to 700 rubles. When choosing, it is better to stick to original AvtoVAZ spare parts. The catalog number for the standard thermostat on Kalina is 1118-1306010. Of the analogues, “Luzar” and “Pramo” have proven themselves well, but the first is often counterfeited, and the second has poor quality - the service life is on average about a year. The original device, which is installed from the factory, can last more than three years. Replacing a thermostat on Kalina with 8 valves or 16 is estimated at no more than 800 rubles, including removing air from the system. To avoid paying twice, you can change the part yourself. Just before this, you should check the device for functionality using the described methods.

What tools will you need?

To operate, you will need a working thermostat and a suitable container for draining the coolant from the SOD - a regular five-liter plastic bottle. The differences between replacements on an 8- and 16-valve engine are insignificant. On the latter, you will need to additionally remove the starter so as not to accidentally fill it with antifreeze. The rest of the procedure is similar.

Thermostat malfunctions

The design of the thermostat consists of a housing with pipes and a sensitive element with a valve, which actually shuts off the pipeline. The housing itself fails extremely rarely, and only due to mechanical damage.

Most often the sensitive element breaks. It is a sealed cylinder filled with a wax-based solid. The cylinder contains a piston with a rod. When heated, the substance melts and expands, pushing the piston. The latter extends and closes the valve.

The most common reasons for thermostat failure are:

deposits of products of corrosion processes on the moving parts of the sensitive element;
dirt, scale or foreign objects entering the thermostat housing;
poor quality coolant;
malfunction of the water pump (pump).

One symptom of a faulty thermostat is an overheating engine. It indicates that the coolant (coolant) moves in a small circle without passing through the radiator. It can also happen the other way around, when the liquid moves constantly in a large circle. In this case, the engine will take a very long time to warm up.

Self-tuning

Causes of Kalina engine overheating:

thermostat failure. To check its performance, visually inspect the radiator pipes. If the top is cold and the bottom is warm, then the thermostat is stuck. In this case, you will need to install a new device;
the honeycombs are clogged. In this case, the engine overheats in spring or summer. It is recommended to clean the radiator (from the outside);
fan failure. The device does not start due to high coolant heating. It is recommended to check the functionality of the relay and wiring;
air in the system. In this case, open the expansion tank. After starting the engine, periodically press the gas (until the red mark is reached). If the fan starts, then they “add up the gas” by first turning off the ignition. If the breakdown is not repaired, then the power unit screen is dismantled. First raise the motor and lower the clamp. One pipe is dismantled. The lid is removed and the container is broken through. The tube and cap are installed in place. The engine warms up and the ignition turns off. Then the heating tube is removed. Since antifreeze is a toxic substance, it is recommended to drain it carefully (following safety precautions). The engine must be cold. The tube is put on the fitting, the air is removed.

If the engine gets hot, the Lada Kalina SOD will be upgraded. Refinement of the system consists of installing a thermostat with 6 holes. The device is designed to maintain a stable fluid temperature and normalize the operation of interior heating devices. If necessary, install a coolant filter or heater tap. To quickly pass antifreeze through the channel (with minimal risk of overheating), an additional pump is installed.

The system under consideration is suitable for the C/O and N/O stove on the VAZ 2110. In the first case, it will be necessary to throttle the output from the SOD. In this case, the stove will only work at high speeds. In order for hot air to flow from the heating unit, press the gas pedal. If you reduce the output from the C/O stove, then the pressure in the remote control will rise. To do this, use a throttle or ball valve. Before installing Kalina SOD in a VAZ, it is recommended to consult with specialists.

To perform tuning yourself, it is first recommended to study the SOD diagram.

If you do not replace a failed thermostat, you should expect problems in the future. The replacement procedure is not complicated. By performing it in full compliance with the correct sequence, you can be sure of a positive result. And most importantly, replacing the thermostat on a Lada Kalina on your own will save a lot of money.

Verification methods

There are two ways to determine the functionality of the thermostat. The first method involves checking without dismantling. To do this, you need to start a cold engine, warm it up to operating temperature (about 90 degrees), and touch the lower radiator hose.

A cold lower pipe at this temperature indicates that for some reason the thermostat did not open. If it is hot, the thermostat operates normally.

For a more accurate check, you will need to remove the thermostat cover with the sensitive element. Place it in a metal container with clean cold water and place it on the stove to warm up. When the water temperature reaches 85-90 degrees, the element should operate, pushing the valve stem forward. If this does not happen, the thermostat is faulty.

Installation of a thermostat from Grant

Before installing a new temperature-maintaining device, the studs from the camshaft of “classic” VAZ models are screwed in. All heels have triangular cutouts at one end. This is how manufacturers mark the end that screws into the engine block. Sealant is applied to the junction of the thermostat and the engine and a gasket is installed. The following installation steps:

The thermostat is mounted on studs and screwed with nuts.
A pipe is removed from the lower outlet of the stove in order to insert a tee into it, another outlet of which will be connected by a pipe to the expansion tank.
After completing this procedure, the pipe is put in place, connecting the thermostat and the stove. A pipe leading to the expansion tank is put on the outlet of the tee and secured with a clamp. Air will be removed from the cooling system through it.
A Grant hose is installed, running from the lower radiator pipe to the thermostat. It fits almost perfectly, so there is no need to lengthen or shorten anything.
All that remains is to secure all the pipes with clamps, install the air filter, battery and add antifreeze.

If everything is done correctly, the engine will stop heating and will not raise the temperature needle close to critical values. And the car interior will be warm, even in the coldest weather.

Thermostat price

The approximate price of a thermostat cover with a sensitive element in our stores is 450 - 700 rubles . When choosing a spare part, it is better to give preference to branded VAZ models. The catalog number of the Lada Kalina thermostat is 1118-1306010.

The cost of replacing this unit ranges from 500-800 rubles.

In order not to overpay for the work, you can replace the thermostat yourself, but before that, do not forget to check it using the method described above with heating water.

Features of replacing the thermostat on Kalina

How to replace a thermostat? To successfully implement the indicated procedure, the owner will need to adhere to the steps below.

First, disconnect the connector of the sensor connected to the intake air tract filter element unit.
To ensure better convenience, we recommend that you completely remove the air filter housing from the engine compartment. It is held in place by three fastening points, 2 of which are based on elastic bands, and the third is located in the battery area.
Before draining the antifreeze from the cooling circuit, we determine how to carry out this manipulation. Here we highlight two of the most convenient methods.
The first method is a procedure that allows you to perform a drain using a conventional air compressor used to inflate tires. This option eliminates the need for a pit or lift, and the work itself can be done in any suitable location. Now you know how to change it, but let’s add that the undeniable advantage of this method is that there is no need to remove the pipes and unscrew the plugs located on the engine block and radiator.
Before the procedure, we stock up on an empty container, the capacity of which is equivalent to 4-6 liters of liquid, as well as directly on the compressor with the device.
Open the cap on the expansion tank, from which we also remove a small diameter hose. We seal the “bare” tank fitting with adhesive tape.
We place this hose in a pre-prepared container and hold it securely inside the container.
The hose leading from the discharge pipe of the compressor unit is inserted into the hole in the expansion tank (sealed).
By briefly turning on the compressor, we force compressed air to penetrate into the system. Air displaces liquid from the circuit, and it flows into the container.
We carry out the procedure until the antifreeze is completely removed from the LADA Kalina system.
The second common method is to drain through open plugs on the radiator and engine block.
For this purpose, we also prepare a suitable container and, using the indicated manipulations, completely drain the liquid. Don't forget to screw the plugs back in.
Now, using a convenient screwdriver, we loosen the fasteners of all pipes suitable for the thermostat and then remove them.
To dismantle the thermostat itself, we arm ourselves with a hex key, size “5”, and unscrew the 3 screws.
If, after unscrewing, the unit does not “want” to be disconnected from the lines, then using the same screwdriver, we loosen it, running the tip between the adjacent surfaces.
We clean the mating sections of the main pipes with the LADA Kalina thermostat from scale formations and at the same time replace the sealing gaskets.
We install the new product in its original place, tightening the bolts securely.
After this, we connect all the dismantled pipes to their original places, not forgetting to tighten the fastening clamps.
We check the reliability of the screwed plugs and fill the system with antifreeze. We do this through the neck in the expansion tank of LADA Kalina.
In some cases, it will be convenient to replace the thermostat along the way if its service life suggests this action or is approaching such a need.
Upon completion of filling, install the housing with the air filter and connect the previously disconnected sensor. Now you know how to change the thermostat in your car, so replacing the thermostat will not be too difficult for you.

Preparing to install the thermostat

First you need to remove the standard Kalina thermostat. Before this, the battery, air filter and pipe leading to the gas throttle are removed. Having finished with the air filter, begin to drain the antifreeze from the cooling system. It is better to place a basin under the engine, so the coolant will not spill.

After loosening the clamps, remove all pipes from the thermostat. Then they begin to unscrew the nuts on the studs. Unscrew the nuts and remove the thermostat. This completes the procedure for dismantling the old device. Preparations begin for installing the thermostat from the Granta car. To do this, you need to unscrew the old studs. This is easy to do with a hairpin driver, but if you don’t have such a wrench, you just need to screw a nut onto the hairpin, and then another one. Pull them tightly and unscrew them using a regular wrench. After removing the old studs, clean the thermostat installation site from old sealant and gasket residues. This is where the preparation ends.

Important points when replacing a thermostat

When replacing the thermostat, eliminate the risk of antifreeze getting onto the sensor connectors and into the air path of the Lada Kalina. To prevent such situations, we recommend wrapping electrical connectors and components in plastic bags. Due to the low cost of the thermostat, a more rational action would be to replace the entire thermostat. It is better to purchase original products, since analogues may not match their fastening characteristics (hole diameters, etc.). This will avoid difficult moments during installation.

Checking for correct installation

It is very easy to check the correct installation and operation of the thermostat in the Lada Kalina. Here you will need to warm up the engine and then immediately turn it off. Next, open the hood and feel for the lower pipe that goes from the radiator to the cooling jacket of the engine block. If it is heated, the thermostat opens, and there is no risk of the Lada Kalina engine overheating. When this phenomenon does not occur, the system components require careful diagnosis. Therefore, it would be a good idea to check the functionality of the new thermostat before installation.

Symptoms and consequences

Like any other mechanism, the thermostat can break down instantly. If this happens, the main thing is to detect the breakdown in time. Most often, a faulty mechanism can be detected when:

increasing the amount of time required to fully warm up the power unit;
the presence of elevated temperature in the power unit or even overheating.

The worst consequence of driving a car with a faulty thermostat is an overheated engine. There is no need to remind you once again about the consequences that overheating can cause. Therefore, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the issue of replacing a problematic thermostat on a Lada Kalina car.