Changing the oil in the Kalina 2 gearbox: step-by-step instructions

The design of the Kalina-2 family of cars uses a cable gearbox, produced by AvtoVAZ since 2013. A feature of the manual transmission, designated as VAZ-2181, is the following: a diagnostic probe is not provided in its design. The inspection and diagnostic hole is located on the side and not on the top side of the crankcase, which will not add convenience when changing the oil. How to perform this operation, that is, how to replace the manual transmission fluid, is discussed further.

The engine air filter should not interfere

The air filter box in Granta and Kalina-2 cars is secured with three rubber stops.
It will not be difficult to dismantle them, but first you will need to disconnect all the connectors attached to the box from the outside. You will also need to remove the adsorber valve. And only then, without fear of damaging anything, the plastic box is taken to the side. The cylinder to which the corrugation is attached is the mass air flow sensor module. This module has one connector. Disconnect it, and it is better to leave the clamp holding the corrugation in its original form.

The result of all the work done looks like this:

The filter box is simply folded back

The steps mentioned above are listed here in order:

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery;
Disconnect the clip “1” that holds the power wire and disconnect the connector “2” of the mass air flow sensor (Fig. 1);
Dismantle the canister purge valve. Disconnect the connector with the wires, then use a flat screwdriver to press the spring on the side and remove the module itself from the grooves (Fig. 2);
All stops holding the box can be easily removed from the slots (Fig. 3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4q7eqG9C8Q

The connector that needs to be disconnected in “step 2” will not be available in configurations with motor 21127.

Here you need to disconnect the connector and remove one clip. Use a flat-head screwdriver to press on the spring. Each stop must remain on the metal.

We wish you success.

Choosing the best

At the factory, TNK TRANS KP oil is poured into the car's gearbox, but the overwhelming majority of car owners prefer to fill in fluids from other brands, most often foreign-made. Usually, when switching to oils from other brands, the noise coming from the gearbox is reduced, service life is increased, and even fuel consumption is reduced.

To select oil for the Lada Kalina gearbox, you need to focus on viscosity. The following list will help you here:

Viscosity grade: 75W80 withstands temperatures from -40 to 35
Viscosity grade: 75W85 withstands temperatures from -40 to 35 (but in terms of characteristics it is slightly ahead of the competitor)
Viscosity grade: 75W90 withstands temperatures from -40 to 45
Viscosity grade: 80W85 withstands temperatures from -26 to 35
Viscosity grade: 80W90 withstands temperatures from -26 to 45
Viscosity grade: 85W90 withstands temperatures from -12 to 45 and above

Filling with new oil

Remove the dipstick , since you will be pouring oil through the hole for the level indicator.
Take a pre-prepared funnel and insert one end into the box.
Fill in about three liters of gearbox oil. At the same time, check the oil level on the dipstick; it should be between the min and max marks.

Now you need to drive 10-15 kilometers and look at the oil level indicator . If necessary, add the required amount of liquid.

Automatic transmission oil change

First you need to remove the protective cover or boot.
Then unscrew the drain plug with a 19 key. It is located on the pallet.
We substitute a reservoir for waste liquid.
There is an overflow plug under the drain plug - remove it and drain the oil.
For a better replacement, you can remove the pan and clean it from the inside. To do this, unscrew the bolts with a 10mm wrench and carefully remove the part. We clean the tray and the magnets located on it.
We install the pallet in place.
The new lubricant must be poured through the dipstick hole. The dipstick plug is located near the engine block, under the bellows of the air filter. If access to the filler hole and dipstick is difficult, you can remove the corrugation along with the air filter cover. To remove the corrugation, you need to unscrew the 4 bolts securing the filter cover, remove the air flow sensor and the air pipe. The pipe and corrugation are secured with clamps. Indication of the bellows, dipstick and air filter cover under the hood
We take out the dipstick plug and, using a hose with a funnel, pour in the same amount of new oil as was drained.
To distribute the lubricant in the gearbox, you need to start the engine and shift the gearbox selector through all gears. The selector must be held in each position for several seconds.
Check the level of the filled working fluid. We lower the dipstick plug with the wiped tip into the filler hole and remove it. The oil level should be between o and “MAX”.
Having brought the lubricant level to the optimal level, close the dipstick plug and install the air filter bellows (if it has been removed). Protective cover for the automatic transmission of Lada Kalina 2. Transmission pan and engine. Hose with a homemade funnel in the dipstick hole. Slurry poured into a bottle.

Replacing the working fluid in the automatic transmission of Lada Kalina 2 has been completed.

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Checking the oil level

We place the car on a pit or a lift.

Open the hood .
Remove the air filter.
Find the gearbox housing the dipstick from it to check the oil level. To get to it, you will have to stick your hand between the battery and pipe , which goes down from the air filter.
Clean the dipstick rod from oil, then put it back in place until it stops.
Take out the dipstick and check the level; it should be in the middle of the Min and Max , which are located on the rod.
If the level is normal, put the dipstick back and replace the air filter.

Changing the oil in a manual transmission

Boot protecting the gearbox and engine

First of all, you need to remove the protective boot using a size 8 wrench.
We unscrew the drain plug using a 17mm wrench, after placing a container to drain the liquid. It will drain for 10–15 minutes.
Close the drain plug. Manual transmission Kalina 2 with holes indicated
Next, you need to fill in new oil. To do this, unscrew the control or filler plug with a 17 key. This hole is located slightly above the drain. To conveniently supply liquid into the box crankcase, use a pre-prepared plunger syringe or bulb.
The optimal lubricant level should reach the bottom edge of the inspection or filler hole.
After reaching the required level, the hole is closed with a plug.
Install the protective boot in place by tightly tightening the bolts. Replacing the lubricant with a manual transmission Lada Kalina 2 is completed.

We drain the waste

Drive onto a pit or overpass and use the handbrake or using improvised means to secure your car in place and pre -warm the engine .

We place a pre-prepared container under the drain hole, where the used oil will drain
Take a 17 key and unscrew the drain plug
Wait for the used oil to drain, this can take up to 40 minutes .
Then tighten plug .

Note: if the used fluid is dark in color , it means it contains metal dust , sediment and other gearbox wear products. washing liquid into it . Then you need to jack up one of the drive wheels and start the engine by engaging first gear . Wait about 10 minutes, turn off the engine and drain the filled flushing fluid.

Tools and materials

In order for the oil change in the 2nd and 1st generation Kalina gearbox to be successful, we need to prepare:

Open-end wrench 17 (or ratchet with a head).
Jack.
An empty canister or any other container for draining waste. It is important that it is wide and flat, otherwise it will not fit under the bottom. You can cut the side of a motor oil can and place it under the drain hole. The Kalina's clearance allows this to be done.
Watering can. It is advisable to lengthen it, since the box with the filler hole is very deep. For convenient filling, use a hose of the appropriate diameter. It is important that its length is at least 30 centimeters.

What to choose for Kalina

You should only buy an original lubricant product for Lada from the manufacturer. No matter how many advantages sellers attribute to cheaper crafts, there is nothing better than the original product. But speaking about the original little, this does not mean at all that it should cost very much. There are options for original gearbox oils that are quite inexpensive, but in practice they are of excellent quality. For Kalina, semi-synthetic from LUKOIL is perfect. According to the owners of Kalina, this car is capable of traveling more than 300,000 km without the need for major repairs.

The Magnum transmission TNK is well suited for gearboxes, the result will be immediate, the gearbox will operate much quieter. Various noises and unpleasant sounds will disappear, this is also an ideal option for winter. With this oil, the gearbox will turn on easier and faster in cold weather. In addition, oils from domestic producers would be an excellent option for Kalina. Many users make a serious mistake when buying oil, paying great attention to additives. In general, they should not be taken into account, since all modern oils and fluids, both motor and transmission, have all the necessary set of functions for productive operation, operation of units and system components. If you supplement the machine with an unnecessary amount of additives, then as a result you can destroy the structural consumption of the element. This fact applies to oil and other liquids, which will ultimately lead to the need to completely replace the liquids used.

Lubricant for TNK Magnum gearbox

What oil to use

It is worth noting that the second generation of Kalina has modifications with manual and automatic transmissions. Lada Kalina 2 is equipped with a hydromechanical automatic transmission model JF414E with four gears. This means that each type of transmission requires different products.

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If you refer to the instruction manual, you can find out what transmission fluids the Lada Kalina 2 supports.

The following oils are suitable for mechanical transmissions according to factory requirements:

Table of suitable oils for manual transmission Lada Kalina 2

For automatic transmissions, the manufacturer recommends using only Genuine EJ-1ATF oils (from the supplier JX Nippon Oil and Energy Corporation) and Nissan ATF Matic–S. When using other transmission lubricants, problems with the automatic transmission may occur, as well as reduced service life and malfunctions. Warranties do not cover the above problems.

In an automatic transmission, the content of working fluid above the maximum level is unacceptable. Excess lubricant leads to splashes through the breather. If the liquid comes into contact with hot engine parts, it will ignite.

When is it necessary to change the transmission oil of a Lada Kalina?

Like any car, Lada Kalina has an instruction manual. In this document, the manufacturer reflects all the procedures necessary to carry out the car, the timing and procedure for carrying out planned work, including regulating the procedure for changing the oil in the box. Until 2011, the procedure for changing the oil in the Lada Kalina manual transmission was not regulated at all; it was assumed that the transmission was flooded for the entire service life of the car. Previously, drivers relied only on their own experience and carried out this procedure on a voluntary basis.

However, since 2011, with the introduction of new standards, the manufacturer nevertheless introduced a procedure for changing the fluid at a mileage of 130 thousand km. However, this period goes beyond the scope of warranty service (5 years or 100 thousand km), so the costs of its implementation fall entirely on the consumer.

In addition, in 2013 the model received a new Japanese-made automatic transmission, which undoubtedly improved consumer qualities. However, the need to change the substance in such a unit is more pressing, given the complex design of the machine. AvtoVAZ regulates replacement of such a unit once every 100 thousand km, but experienced motorists reduce this period by half. This helps extend the life cycle of the box and avoid many problems during operation.

During the production of the model, there were several transmissions on the assembly line with different conditions for changing the fluid in them:

Mechanical 5-speed gearbox with rocker drive. For this unit, changing the substance is not regulated at all, but it is desirable for mileages of 70 thousand km or more. All types of oils are suitable for such a unit, depending on operating conditions.
Mechanics with cable-driven shifting. In fact, it’s a similar box, but the factory stipulates that the transmission should be changed at 130 thousand mileage. It is advisable to change the oil on a Lada Kalina with a cable gearbox once every 60 thousand kilometers, regardless of the type of lubricant.
Robotic box, which is also based on mechanics. However, given the design of the unit, replacing the transmission is necessary at least every 50 thousand kilometers, given the high loads under which the unit operates.
An automatic Japanese automatic transmission will require an oil change every 60 thousand km, regardless of operating conditions. This unit is considered unpretentious and reliable, however, timely replacement of the substance can extend the life of the automatic transmission beyond the 150 thousand mileage specified by the manufacturer.

Methods that are not recommended

Liquid can be poured into the crankcase of box 2181 through a separate hole, which is closed by the reverse switch. The part in question will be clearly visible if you open the hood and remove the filter box:

The connector is usually colored blue or red

Dismantling this part is not easy. First, disconnect the connector, and to loosen the fastening, you will need a special socket wrench with a high head. The key size is 22mm hex.

The oil level in the gearbox is controlled as follows: the standard filler plug must be unscrewed, and as soon as the liquid begins to leak out onto the casing, topping up is stopped. It is advisable that the car be installed on a level surface. And it’s even better if the body is tilted to the right - excess transmission fluid has never hurt anyone.

How and where to store transmission fluid

Before use, make sure that the oil has not yet expired. To do this, refer to the label on the container. To keep your gearbox fluid in optimal condition, you will need to follow these instructions:

Close the cap of the bottle or canister tightly. The product must be stored in airtight packaging.
Do not leave containers in the sun or direct light. A suitable place for storage would be a cellar, attic, garage, etc.
Check the expiration date.
Do not store lubricant containers in a room with temperatures above 24 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the chemical elements of the oil may change and harm the box.
Do not allow excess moisture to get inside the liquid container.

We will tell you what kind of oil to fill into the Kalina gearbox later, and now we’ll look at where to store the canister of lubricant.

The ideal storage location is a heated basement, garage or shed with low humidity levels. In it you will protect the container from sunlight, sudden climate changes and other harmful factors.

Another useful tip - we do not recommend pouring the composition from the canister into other containers. The original packaging consists of durable plastic, which allows you to protect the liquid from poor storage conditions.

Do not use oil that is more than 12 months old. It will negatively affect the operation of the box. In the best case, you will need to replace it again; in the worst case, you will need to completely repair the gearbox or replace the unit. As you can see, it’s easier to check once than to overpay later.

In our store you will always find fresh transmission compounds from the Hessol brand. German lubricant is distinguished by its versatility, quality and cost. At Chirol you can purchase the composition at the lowest prices. If you need advice on selection, please contact us by phone or come to our office. Our manager will answer all your questions in detail.

A little about oil

The Lada Kalina has a conventional five-speed manual transmission. It has been set since the days of the “nines”. Not long ago, Avtovaz released a VAZ-2180 gearbox with a cable drive. Oil is poured into the pan, it does not splash out and is not pumped up by the pump. Lubrication occurs in this way: the gears of the intermediate and other shafts are dipped into the bath during rotation, thereby ensuring lubrication of the rubbing elements. Transmission fluid also provides heat removal, otherwise the box will quickly overheat. If the gears run dry, a large amount of wear occurs. After this, it accumulates in the oil, giving the liquid a brown tint over time. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the oil level in the gearbox under control. For this procedure, Kalina has a special probe. If the oil level is below the average mark, it is better not to use the car, but to add transmission fluid.

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Oil leaks and breakdowns

The first thing a novice motorist needs to remember is that it is very difficult to repair a gearbox on your own. This transmission unit has a rather complex design, and any mistake in repair can lead to an accident (and additional waste of money, time and nerves). But the main points regarding gearbox repair are still worth listing. At least in order not to pay at a car service center for incorrectly done repairs.

But it’s worth understanding the signs and causes of breakdowns in the Lada Kalina manual transmission, and the main methods for eliminating them :

Noise and knocking heard from the gearbox. If a successful combination of circumstances occurs, the problem here will be the exhausted life of the lubricating fluid . A more unpleasant option is worn out bearings or gears . In the described case, only replacing parts will help. And it is not recommended to change it yourself - only with the help of a professional and under his direct supervision.
Gears are switched with some difficulty . In the described case, the problem is incomplete disengagement of the clutch (the disc does not release completely), deformation of the gear shift drive rod, wear of the plastic parts of the shift mechanism, or loosening of the screw fastenings of the lever. The last two cases are the most common. Breakdowns are corrected as follows: if there are problems with the clutch disc, there is only one recommendation - contact a specialist (self-repair is impossible without special tools and skills);
if the rods are deformed (their appearance is shown in the service book), they must either be straightened (leveled to the required level) or replaced entirely by purchasing spare parts in advance;
Breakages of plastic parts are corrected by replacing them. But you should take into account that replacing certain parts takes a lot of time and is impossible without the help of an AvtoVAZ car repair specialist;
loose fasteners can be corrected most easily - you need to screw in the screws and bolts that hold the mechanism in the desired position. Standard wrenches and screwdrivers are used here. But it is recommended to purchase the appropriate set in advance, since the fasteners in the mechanism are of different sizes and for different tools.

Spontaneous switching of the lever to the neutral position . Here the problem lies either in the oil, or in worn-out parts or incorrect adjustment of the gear shift mechanism. And self-repair in the described cases is impossible: you will have to turn to professionals.

Separately, it is worth describing the problem with oil leakage in the manual transmission in the Lada Kalina. There are two likely sources of the problem: sealant damage or oil seal wear, or a crack in the transmission housing. The second case is less common, but in this case it is often necessary to change the entire manual transmission (and this is a considerable expense). And if the sealant is damaged or the seals are worn, the box is pulled out, disassembled (with certain technical knowledge, even a beginner can do this), and either the gaskets are changed or a new sealant is applied.

There is an additional reason for oil leakage - loosening of the gearbox mounts. It can be solved by simply tightening the bolts. And if resolved in a timely manner, it can be eliminated easily and without any problems.