Lada Priora 16 valve technical specifications

• Engines
• VAZ
• 21126

The 1.6-liter 16-valve VAZ 21126 engine appeared in 2007 along with the Lada Priora and then spread to almost the entire model range of the Russian company AvtoVAZ.
This unit was also often used as a blank for the concern’s sports engines. The VAZ 16V line also includes: 11194, 21124, 21127, 21129, 21128 and 21179.

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Technical characteristics of the VAZ 21126 1.6 16kl engine

Design features of the Lada 21126 16 valve engine

The main difference between this internal combustion engine and its predecessors is the widespread use of foreign components in the assembly. First of all, this concerns a lightweight connecting rod and piston group manufactured by Federal Mogul, as well as a timing belt with an automatic tensioner from Gates.

Due to the strict requirements of the American company, the manufacturer of ShPG, additional procedures are carried out on the conveyor for processing the surfaces of the block, as well as honing the cylinders. There were also some disadvantages here: new pistons without holes made the power unit plug-in. Update: from mid-2022, the engines received an update in the form of plugless pistons.

Otherwise, everything is familiar here: a cast-iron block, which traces its history back to the VAZ 21083, a 16-valve aluminum head with two camshafts, standard for VAZ products, the presence of hydraulic compensators eliminates the need to adjust the valve clearances.

The video shows the consequences of a broken timing belt and subsequent head repair.

Malfunctions and repairs of the Priora 21126 engine

The 21126 engine is a continuation of the VAZ 21124 ten-wheel drive engine, but with a 39% lighter ShPG produced by Federal Mogul, the holes for the valves have become smaller, and a different timing belt with an automatic tensioner, thanks to which the problem of tightening the belt on the 124 block has been solved. The Priora engine block itself has also undergone minor changes, such as better surface treatment, and cylinder honing is now carried out in accordance with the more stringent requirements of Federal Mogul. On the same block above the clutch housing there is a place with the Priora engine number; to see it, you need to remove the air filter and arm yourself with a small mirror. Engine VAZ 21126 1.6 l. injection in-line 4-cylinder with overhead camshafts, the gas distribution mechanism is belt driven. The service life of the 21126 Priora engine, according to the manufacturer’s data, is 200 thousand km, how long does the engine run in practice... depending on your luck, on average this is approximately the case. In addition, there is a lightweight version of this engine - the Kalina engine 1.4 VAZ 11194, as well as a sports forced version - the VAZ0 hp engine, an article about it is HERE. Among the shortcomings of this power unit, it is worth noting unstable operation, loss of power, timing belt. The reasons for unstable operation and refusal to start may be problems with fuel pressure, timing malfunction, faulty sensors, air leaks through hoses, or a malfunction of the throttle valve. Loss of power may be due to low compression in the cylinders due to a burnt-out gasket, wear of the cylinders, piston rings, or burnt-out pistons. A significant drawback is that the Priora 21126 engine bends the valves. The solution to the problem is to replace the pistons with plugless ones. However, the Priora engine is currently one of the most advanced domestic engines, perhaps the reliability is worse than that of the 124th, but the engine is also very good and powerful enough for comfortable movement in the city. In 2013, a modernized version of this engine was released, the marking of the new VAZ 21127 Priora engine, an article about it is HERE.

In 2015, production of the NFR sports engine began, called 21126-81, which used the 21126 base. And since 2016, cars with 1.8 liter engines 21179, which also used the 126th block, have been available.

The most basic malfunctions of the 126 engine

Let's move on to the malfunctions and shortcomings, what to do if the Priora engine is running rough, sometimes flushing the injectors solves the problem, it may be the spark plugs or the ignition coil, but the usual thing in this case is to measure the compression in order to eliminate the problem of valve burnout. But the cheapest option is to go to a service center for diagnostics. Another common problem is when the engine speed of the Priora 21126 fluctuates and the engine runs unevenly, a common disease of VAZ sixteen valves, your mass air flow sensor is dead! Not dead? Then clean the throttle valve, there is a possibility that the TPS (throttle position sensor) needs to be replaced, perhaps the IAC (idle air regulator) has arrived. What to do if the car does not warm up to operating temperature, there may be a problem with the thermostat or the frost is too severe, then you will have to put cardboard on the radiator grill