Replacing the timing belt on LADA cars with a 16-valve engine

09 September 2015 Lada.Online 216 288 2

Currently, all new Lada Priora are available with 16 valve engines. These power units are also installed on some versions of Lada Granta, Kalina, Vesta or XRAY cars. The gas distribution mechanism (GRM) of these engines is designed for the timely admission of the combustible mixture into the engine cylinders and the release of exhaust gases. It is important to regularly check the condition of the belt and replace it if necessary.

How long does it take to change the timing belt?

• According to the Lada Priora maintenance regulations, the condition of the timing belt should be checked after 105 thousand km, and replaced after 200 thousand km. However, sheared teeth or a broken timing belt can cause the valves to stick (valve bending) into the pistons, leading to costly engine repairs. Therefore, we recommend checking the condition of the timing belt more often - every 45 thousand km.
• On Lada Granta and Lada Kalina 2 cars, the timing belt is checked every maintenance (every 15,000 km), and replacement is carried out after 75 thousand km. mileage
• On Lada Vesta and XRAY, the condition of the timing belt should be checked after 15,000 km, and replaced every 180,000 km.

Choosing a timing repair kit for Lada Kalina

The quality of the belt and roller is very important, since the smooth operation of the engine depends on it. The issue should be approached with all responsibility. On the other hand, this is a consumable item, which means you still have to change it.

The Lada Kalina is equipped with a timing belt with number 21126-1006040 from the factory. The original is considered one of the best and is highly reliable, on average it lasts for 50,000 kilometers. The cost varies depending on the region: 1,000–1,500 rubles. There are a large number of analogues on the modern market, which are usually cheaper.

But there are also more expensive examples. The following brands became the most popular:

• Gates (on average about 2 thousand rubles);
• LUZAR (2,000 rubles);
• Bosch (1,500–1,800 rubles);
• Pilenga (tensioner roller and belt on average 3,000 rubles);
• Trialli (set, about 3,500 rubles).

The most affordable analogues are considered to be belts from manufacturers such as Master-Sport, Hofer and some others. On average, their cost does not exceed 1 thousand rubles. It is also equally important to choose a high-quality tensioner roller, since belts are usually changed together with them in pairs. There is also a lot of variety here.

The original roller installed from the factory has a catalog number 21126-1006135.

The average price, depending on the region, is no more than 700 rubles. The market for analogues is much more diverse, and accordingly, their prices vary from 400 to 2,000 rubles. More often than others, car enthusiasts choose brands such as Gates, Pilenga, Trialli, Master-sport and others. On average, their service life is about 50,000 kilometers +/- 5,000, it all depends on the quality.

Removing the timing belt

You will need : a 5-point hexagon, a 17-point, 15-point, 10-point socket and a large flat-head screwdriver.

Procedure:

1. Remove the upper timing cover by removing 5 screws.
2. Remove the lower timing cover by unscrewing the 2 screws. Remove the alternator belt.
3. Camshaft drive diagram.

In order not to disturb the valve timing, it is necessary to set the crankshaft and camshaft to the TDC (top dead center) position of the compression stroke of the 1st cylinder. For this:

1. Turn the crankshaft clockwise using the generator drive bolt until the marks on the camshaft toothed pulleys align with the marks on the rear timing drive cover.
2. check that the mark on the flywheel 1 is located opposite the slot 2 of the upper cover of the clutch housing.

We fix the flywheel by inserting a screwdriver between the flywheel teeth through the hole in the clutch housing. Then:

1. Remove the pulley by unscrewing the bolt.
2. Remove the support washer.

1. Release the belt tension by turning the roller bolt.
2. Remove the belt from the camshaft pulleys, tension and support rollers.

After removing the timing belt, the crankshaft and camshaft cannot be turned. When replacing a timing belt, the tensioner and support rollers of the belt also change.

Camshaft marks

The VAZ 21126 engine has 16 valves, so for their operation two camshafts are installed in the cylinder head. One of them is responsible for the operation of the intake valves, the second is the exhaust valves. The camshafts are driven by pulleys through a toothed belt. Each shaft has its own pulley, which cannot be replaced with each other. The pulley on the right side of the motor (when viewed from the radiator side) has an insert for a phase sensor. The manufacturer applies marks to each pulley for proper assembly of the timing drive.

They are located on the crown of the pulley in the form of a protrusion in its lower part. These marks are called movable marks because they rotate with the camshafts. Correct installation of the pulley on the camshaft is ensured by a key. Only correctly installed Priora timing marks will ensure efficient use of its engine. The marks on the pulleys can have different shapes, depending on the manufacturer of the part. It is necessary to carefully wipe the outer part of the pulley with a rag, after which you can see the protrusion or recess as a mark.

Installing the timing belt

Before installing the rollers, apply thread sealant to the threaded part. We do not completely tighten the tension roller bolt. Before installing the timing belt, check the alignment of the timing marks. It is convenient to control the position of the crankshaft by aligning mark 1 on the crankshaft toothed pulley with mark 2 (rib) on the oil pump cover.

We put the timing belt on the crankshaft pulley, tensioning both branches of the belt, we put the front branch behind the support roller, and the rear branch, putting it on the coolant pump pulley, behind the tension roller. Then we put the timing belt on the camshaft pulleys.

Crankshaft marks

Installing the camshafts correctly in the desired position does not mean that this is enough to start the engine. Lada Priora has 16 valves, so if you do not synchronize the operation of all engine mechanisms, several of them will be damaged. To prevent this from happening, they must open or close at strictly defined times. The timing mechanism parts are driven from the crankshaft. The crankshaft has a gear at the output, the rotation of which is transmitted through a toothed belt to the remaining parts of the timing mechanism.

This gear is fixed on the crankshaft with a key; it will be impossible to install it in any other position. To correctly match the position of the pistons and valves relative to each other, there is an installation mark on it. It is located on the outside of the pulley in the upper part of the crown. Usually it is found opposite the tooth in the form of a slot, notch, or conical hole. Sometimes this requires wiping the working area of ​​the pulley with a rag. The generator set drive pulley, which is removed from the crankshaft, may interfere with visibility.

How to tension a timing belt

1. Insert the tips of the locking ring pliers into the grooves of the outer race of the tension roller.
2. Tension the belt by turning the tension roller counterclockwise.
3. We combine cutout 1 of the outer race of the roller with the rectangular protrusion 2 of its inner sleeve. Tighten the roller mounting bolt with a wrench.

After installing the generator drive pulley, turn the crankshaft by the pulley mounting bolt two turns clockwise. We check the alignment of the installation marks on the crankshaft and camshaft, as well as the alignment of the cutout with the protrusion on the tension roller.

The process of replacing the timing belt is also shown in the video:

Cost of replacement work

Prices for Lada Kalina timing belts in our auto stores vary from 400 to 1000 rubles per unit. If you also need to replace the tension roller, be prepared to shell out another 400-600 rubles.

The cost of replacing a belt is 500-800 rubles. With a roller – up to 1000 rubles.

When buying a timing belt, it is better to give preference to a branded VAZ product. If this is not possible, you can purchase an analogue produced by a well-known brand. Below are samples showing the catalog numbers of the original belt and worthy imported analogues.

Replacing the timing belt without special tools

The method can be used if there is no need to change the rollers.

Procedure

:

1. Cut off half of the old timing belt with a utility knife.
2. Remove half of the old timing belt.
3. We put a new timing belt on the crankshaft pulleys.
4. We cut the second half of the old timing belt and remove it.
5. Pull the new timing belt onto the crankshaft pulleys until the end.

Where can I buy

: Timing belt kits at low prices are available in our online store (Timing belt category).

Basic faults

There can only be three main faults with the timing belt:

• violation of the integrity of the structure;
• under- or overtension;
• break.

In the first case, the belt may simply delaminate, as evidenced by dangling reinforcing threads. In addition, belt teeth are often cut off. These problems are the result of mechanical damage, improper adjustment:

• camshaft stars;
• crankshaft pulley;
• toothed roller;
• pumps;
• tension roller.

The tension roller is designed to tension the belt by rotating around its own eccentric axis.
If it is not adjusted correctly, the belt may be too tight, which will sooner or later render it unusable. The same problem will occur if the belt is loose. The most unpleasant surprise, especially on the road, is a broken timing belt. In this case, the engine will immediately stall, and it will be possible to start it only by installing a new belt.

Marks on the flywheel

To reduce inertial masses and make it possible to start the engine with a starter, a flywheel is installed at the rear end of the crankshaft. It can only be locked in one position, so there is also an installation mark on the flywheel. Finding it is not so easy and inconvenient. The protective housing of the clutch mechanism has a rectangular cutout, which is closed with a rubber plug. It can be easily removed with pliers; putting it back will be a little more difficult. In the hole that appears after removing the rubber plug, a conical cutout on the body will be visible.

Now, rotating in any available way, the engine crankshaft is combined with this cutout, a notch on the flywheel in the form of a slot. This is usually done to set the piston of the first cylinder to top dead center. If the notches on the flywheel and its housing coincide, check whether the other reference points of the engine mechanisms match. If this does not happen, you need to turn the crankshaft one more revolution. It is worth remembering the fact that to complete a full revolution of the camshafts, the crankshaft rotates twice.