Your question: How much does a VAZ 2101 engine weigh without attachments?

Description

The modernized version of the engine of the famous “kopek” received the VAZ-21011 index. Created in 1974. Produced until 2006 by the AvtoVAZ concern in Tolyatti.

The new engine featured increased power and improved throttle response thanks to larger combustion chamber volumes and increased torque. Compared to the basic model, there are differences in the mechanical part of the unit and attachments.

The internal combustion engine of the VAZ-21011 is a four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline carburetor with a volume of 1.3 liters and a power of 69 hp. s and torque 94 Nm.

Installed on Lada cars:

• 2101 (1974-1988);
• 2102 (1974-1986);
• 2103 (1974-1984);
• 2106 (1979-1994).

The cylinder block remains cast iron, but the changes in it are quite impressive. In terms of dimensions, it has become lower and wider. The most important thing is that the cylinder diameter has been increased to 79 mm. On the VAZ-2101 it was 76 mm.

The block head is aluminum. At the top there is a camshaft and eight valves, two per cylinder. Hydraulic compensators are not provided. The thermal clearance of the valves must be adjusted manually with nuts using a feeler gauge. The frequency of adjustment is every 15 thousand km.

Aluminum pistons with three rings. Two upper compression ones, one lower oil scraper. To reduce friction, an anti-friction coating (tin) is applied to the skirts.

The fuel supply system has changed. The manufacturer began installing an Ozone carburetor on the VAZ-21011 (Solex on the VAZ-2101).

This innovation had a positive effect on improving engine performance. The engine is designed to use fuel with an octane rating of at least 92.

The timing drive uses a double-row roller chain. If it breaks, there is a danger of bending the valves.

The cooling system remains classic. The changes affected the fan drive. Now it has become electric.

Otherwise, the VAZ-21011 repeats its predecessor.

Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability

Reliability

The VAZ-21011 engine has proven itself to be a completely reliable unit. This is convincingly evidenced by the fact that it has become much more widespread in comparison with the basic model.

Reliability can be judged by the design of the motor - the simpler it is, the more reliable. And the simplicity of the VAZ-21011 is simply off the charts. The engine contains the necessary minimum components for its operation.

Car owners on forums also speak warmly about the engine. For example, hc007 writes: “...There is such a device in operation, 84 years old. In general, there are no complaints. And where would they come from if the car is almost 30 years old? It drives, starts and is fine.” yestonec completely agrees with him: “... I also like the reliability. Until now, I sat down and drove off. Just rearrange the battery, and the car is at your service.”

In addition to what has been said, it must be added that the VAZ-21011 has a high safety margin. When tuning the engine, installing a turbine allows you to remove up to 200 hp from it. With. True, for a short time.

Weak spots

Basically, the weak points were transferred to the engine from the base model.

Many car owners are simply unnerved by the loud operation of the engine. There are several reasons for this behavior of the internal combustion engine. Firstly, the timing chain is far from silent. Secondly, unadjusted valve clearances also create a lot of noise. And thirdly, the noise of worn-out camshaft cams is considered the most dangerous.

A malfunctioning thermostat can cause the engine to overheat. Constant monitoring of the internal combustion engine temperature will negate the possibility of such a nuisance.

Floating engine speed. Here, first of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the carburetor. Dirt-clogged jets, a filter mesh and a leaky float mechanism valve have a direct impact on the speed stability.

Troubling in most cases is caused by spark plugs. It is also necessary to check the condition of the high-voltage wires, the distributor and the cover of the breaker-distributor (distributor).

The remaining weak points are not critical and can be easily eliminated in a garage (oil leaks through the cylinder head cover seals or the cylinder block sump).

Maintainability

The maintainability of the unit is high. The cast iron block ensures complete overhaul of the engine.

The simplicity of the device and the availability of spare parts allows you to carry out repair work yourself, without seeking help from a car service.

When restoring an engine, you must use original components and parts. It is dangerous to use analogues, as it is easy to purchase an outright fake. Especially those made in China.

In case of emergency, you can consider purchasing a contract engine. The cost of such motors depends on the configuration and year of manufacture, starting at 5,000 rubles.

Typical motor malfunctions

Unlike the standard, the 21011 engine is designed for a medium octane number; A-76 gasoline, like the 2101 engine, is not recommended. When the timing chain breaks, the piston usually bends the valve, which is a common problem for AvtoVAZ internal combustion engines, with rare exceptions (for example, 2105). The main faults are:

In principle, the engine circuit, which is simple for today’s level of internal combustion engine development, facilitates independent maintenance of the 21011 drive model. The manufacturer’s instructions clearly indicate which oil is recommended for use and a description of the internal combustion engine parameters.

In conclusion

“Kopeyka” is rightfully called a legend of Soviet automobile production. People appreciated this car for its reliability, practicality and affordability. This modification has not been produced for a long time, but it can be purchased on the secondary market. There are quite well preserved copies. In addition, the VAZ-2101 represents a limitless field for tuning. Craftsmen “put their hand” to literally all parts of the car, from equipping the interior to modifying the body and power unit.

Advantages

The technical characteristics of the VAZ 21011 engine were such that very little positive was obtained from the engine. Early development of the domestic auto industry, lack of materials and knowledge - all this affected the design of the engine. But despite this, the advantages of the engine can still be found:

• Very simple design. One of the biggest advantages of the engine is that it can be repaired in any garage. Manufacturers even included in it the possibility of boring cylinders in case of need for major repairs.
• The VAZ 21011 engine capacity of 1294 cubic centimeters made it possible to obtain a compression ratio of 8.5. This is also a positive quality, since the minimum compression ratio makes it possible to work correctly even on gasoline with a low octane number.
• Available and inexpensive spare parts. Domestic power units have never been characterized by difficulty in the availability of spare parts, so you can find spare parts and parts for the 21011 engine in almost any store, and they will cost very little.

ICE design

Despite the increased cylinder diameter (79 mm instead of 76 mm), the overhaul of the 21011 engine is carried out as planned, as indicated in the official manual. All fundamental design features remain the same:

• upper positioning of the camshaft of the timing mechanism;
• cylinder center distance for possible boring;
• timing chain drive;
• machined cylinder head.

Motor design

The layout of the piston group exceeded the capabilities of the original - the engine became torquey with virtually no increase in gasoline consumption.

How much does the VAZ-2101 weigh?

The tail of the “penny” at the front and rear is welded to the frame of the vehicle, which makes it possible to include it in the supporting circuit. This also helps reduce the weight of the car. Below is a breakdown of the main parts of the first model Zhiguli (in kilograms):

• engine with associated equipment – ​​140;
• gearbox – 26;
• cardan shaft – 10;
• rear axle – 52;
• radiator – 7.0;
• body part - 280.

The total weight of the VAZ-2101 is 955 kilograms. It would seem that the figure is not very impressive. But if you multiply the balances by all the units, of which 4.85 million were produced, it becomes clear that every gram saved plays a significant role.

Weight reduction

How much does the body of a VAZ 2107 weigh?

So, car developers have been fighting extra pounds for a long time. Success has been variable and it would be a stretch to say that any significant improvements have been achieved. As a rule, it is possible to lighten the body without affecting the standard linear dimensions of the VAZ 2107 body geometry using technologies that are innovative for a certain period of time. But innovations can be very expensive, and it is rarely possible to introduce them into general production.

Using the example of VAZ models, it happened like this: if one of the design bureaus managed to reduce the weight of the frame or internal combustion engine, then another bureau found and introduced devices that were enviably in demand at that moment into the car system, without which it was already unthinkable to imagine a modern vehicle. So we had to rack our brains again about how to reduce the weight of the car with new instruments and devices, and everything returned to normal.

Body dimensions of the VAZ 2107

So, if you take our “seven” and equip it with all the modern optional kit of an expensive foreign car, it will significantly lose dynamics and fuel consumption will increase.

I wonder how much the weight of a car like the “Seven” can be reduced? According to authoritative experts, the prudent line is within five hundred kilograms. It is no longer possible - instability will arise, and a strong push of the wind from the side can simply blow the car off the road.

In addition, you need to know that the total weight of a car that is too light will change dramatically depending on the number of riders.

An additional reason for changing the weight of the car is the new law established within the framework of European standards. Now the average emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere should not exceed 120 grams per 1 km of run. For every extra gram the owner will be fined 95 euros! What does mass have to do with it?

In fact, everything here is clear. The units of harmful substance released into the atmosphere are directly proportional to the burned fuel, and this indicator, as we know, directly depends on the weight of the car.

Body geometry VAZ 2107 dimensions

Modern metal production plants, or more simply, metallurgical enterprises today are beginning to introduce new technologies and innovative programs that involve the use of ultra-light materials for the manufacture of individual body parts. For example, doors are already coming out that are made of supercomposite materials, which are characterized by the same strength as metal ones.

The modernization also affects the wheels. It is difficult to compare anything with discs that are lightweight, elegant and infallible in terms of strength. They have been in high demand lately, and for good reason. True, their price is high, but it's worth it.

On the other hand, such disks will soon become a thing of the past. Innovative steel grades, such as DP600, can reduce the weight of the disc by 20 percent. And a biometallic steel disk, welded not by the usual method, but by laser welding from 2 different types of steel, generally weighs only 5.3 kg. As you know, the mass of aluminum is more than 6 kg.

Alloy wheels and their advantages

Interesting solutions to reduce the weight of the VAZ 2107 car

Innovation is innovation, and many of us have to solve the problem with the weight of the car right now. Is it possible to change the weight of the “seven” on your own, thereby improving its dynamics and reducing fuel consumption. Of course it is possible.

How to lighten the body:

• Replace body panels with plastic ones where possible;
• Remove some elements of the interior and instrument panel;
• Replace glass with plastic;
• Remove stiffeners;
• Provide space for the battery in the rear luggage compartment;
• Make the hood and trunk lid out of plastic and replace the original ones (a great idea, but somewhat difficult to do with your own hands);
• Consider modifying the fuel tank (too heavy). You can replace it with a sports gasoline tank, which will reduce weight by as much as 10 kg;
• The stove, together with its components, also weighs a lot;
• Remove internal reinforcements in various non-load-bearing body parts. For example, you can do this on the hood or doors.

Reducing the weight of a car is one of the main ways to improve the dynamic performance of a car. Along with improvements such as increased aerodynamics or reforms in the field of improving the grip properties of the car with the road surface, reducing the weight of the car can radically change the overall performance.

VAZ 2107 body geometry dimensions

Maintenance

Considering the design of the internal combustion engine, the manufacturer recommends the following maintenance schedules:

With timely cleaning, the lubrication, cooling and fuel supply system operates longer without major repairs.

What kind of motor can be installed on a “penny” instead of the standard one?

One of the main types of car tuning is improving the car engine. VAZ 2101 engines are an unplowed field in this sense. Some craftsmen install turbines on them in order to increase power and traction characteristics, others change the crankshaft and bore the cylinders, and still others simply change the engine to a more powerful one. But here it is important not to overdo it, because the car body is designed for certain loads, exceeding which can seriously harm the entire car.

Among the popular options for replacement, it is worth considering only power units that are similar in design and performance. For a penny, without any problems, you can install a 1.6 or 2.0 liter gasoline engine from the same Fiat Argenta or Polonaise.

The engine from Fiat Argenta can be installed on any classic VAZ without any special modifications

You can try the same engine from Renault Logan or Mitsubishi Galant, if you install them together with a gearbox. But the best option is a power unit from subsequent modifications of VAZs. These could be VAZ 2106, 2107, 2112 and even 2170. The engines from these cars are suitable both in size and in mounting to the gearbox.

Positive and negative points

The main disadvantages that the 21011 engine has, it retained from the ICE 2101 sample, from which it originated:

• increased noise from chain transmission;
• Suitable only for rear-wheel drive cars;
• periodic adjustment of idle speed;
• complex valve adjustment.

Adjustment of valves

Long partitions are used inside the intake manifold, so when throttling the first chamber, cylinders 2 and 3 experience air-fuel “hunger”, and when the damper of the second chamber is opened, on the contrary, cylinders 1 and 4 experience.

However, for its time, 21011 became an advanced technical solution for the domestic automobile industry. Knowing the characteristics of the engine, the user does not have problems with what oil to pour and what coolant the engine cooling system uses.

Engine tuning 2101

Description of the VAZ 2101 engine tuning process

Tuning a penny engine, or as they also say, boosting the engine of a VAZ 2101, is a risky business, taking into account what is written above and taking into account the general wear and tear of the engine, if this does not stop, then let's go... first, let's look at it from the point of view of increasing the engine displacement. This is the most affordable method to improve your engine, increasing power and torque throughout the entire range. We will also describe the option of installing sports camshafts, boring cylinder head channels, compressors, etc. in detail below. But given the fact that your engine is a used 2101, hanging too much on it is fraught with consequences. To increase the power of the VAZ 2101 engine, let's start with cars produced in 1970-1974; they are distinguished by the ability to install Niva pistons with a diameter of 82 mm from the VAZ 21213 Niva, thanks to the thick-walled cylinder block. To prevent the compression ratio 2101 from sagging (a puddle in the pistons 21213), you need to take Niva pistons with a flat bottom or lighter pistons 2112 and cut off the displacer from the pistons. With a standard stroke of 66 mm, the engine volume will be 1.4 liters. We will get an increase in power, but the engine itself will be very high-speed. The increase in engine volume of the VAZ 2101 produced after 1974 is somewhat different; in order to save metal, the cylinder block became thin-walled, the maximum possible piston diameter is 79 mm from the VAZ 21011 or 2105. The piston stroke is increased to 80 mm. implemented by installing a crankshaft from a VAZ 2103 and connecting rods with a reduced center-to-center distance (129 instead of 136) or installing pistons with a reduced compression height, produced by TRT. Disadvantages of short connecting rods - the angle of inclination of the connecting rod, the greater the angle of inclination, the greater the force it presses the piston against the cylinder wall, the resistance to movement increases, lubrication conditions worsen, the cylinder walls wear out, the connecting rod works under greater load (especially in the center of the connecting rod), engine reliability 2101 is decreasing. Among the advantages, we note a good cylinder filling rate at medium and low speeds, a more homogeneous mixture, and improved combustion. The disadvantages of TRT pistons are their lower strength compared to standard VAZ 2101, thermal load on the ring and the likelihood of piston burnout. Increased piston stroke to 84 mm. VAZ 2130 crankshaft, as well as use TRT pistons, connecting rods shrink to 134 mm.

Boring of VAZ 2101 engine

The crankshaft and boring of the VAZ 2101 engine will give you the following volumes: - larger diameter piston, standard stroke 1.3 liters. 79x66 (cylinder diameter X piston stroke) ~64 hp. Maximum torque is about 95 Nm at 3400 rpm We get an analogue of the 21011 engine - a larger diameter piston, a standard stroke of 1.4 liters. 82x66 (until 1974) Such VAZ engines were not produced in series; there is little information about the construction of such engines. This is explained by the fact that in order to adequately use such a motor, you need a reinforced bottom, forged pistons, selecting the desired top shaft, etc., plus everything needs to be properly configured. The maximum speed of the correct configuration is more than 9000 rpm. The service life of such an engine is about 20 thousand, depending on operation. - standard piston, increased stroke 1.5 liters. 76x80 ~70 hp Maximum torque is approximately 105 Nm at 3000 rpm Analogue of the VAZ 2103 engine on a low block. This option is the answer to all questions about how to improve the VAZ 2101 engine. - larger diameter piston, increased stroke 1.6 liters. 79x80 ~75 hp Maximum torque approximately 115 Nm at 3000 rpm Analogue of the VAZ 2106 engine on a low block - larger diameter piston, increased stroke 1.7 liters. 82x80 (until 1974) ~ 80 hp Maximum torque ~125 Nm at 3200 rpm The configuration is the same as the engine from the Niva 2101 on a low block - a larger diameter piston, an increased stroke of 1.8 liters. 82x84 ~80 hp (until 1974 onwards) Maximum torque ~135 Nm at 3000 rpm The 2103 engine is more suitable for this volume

Tuning cylinder head VAZ 2101

A good option for upgrading the VAZ 2101 engine by removing the roughness of the channels, polishing the cylinder head channels and the VAZ 2101 manifold reduces the intake resistance, the power of the penny engine increases by about 5-8 horsepower, and the torque increases throughout the entire range. To polish, you need to remove the cylinder head and wash it with a mixture of gasoline, kerosene and solvent. After that, take an electric drill, wrap a rag around the drill, and put some sandpaper on top. The collector is fixed motionless in a vice and we begin sawing; after the bend of the collector, the same is done on a flexible rod. When modifying the cylinder head on a classic, it is necessary to grind off the protrusion at the connection of the cylinder head and the exhaust valve (about 3 mm), after which we use the same tool until we can insert the valve, after passing through all the channels and cutting off the bushings in them, we polish the channels from the seat side. When With additional boring of the channels, the VAZ 2101 engine is capable of producing about 75 hp. It is also recommended to use T-shaped valves on classics instead of tulip-shaped ones.

Camshaft for classics

Let me point out right away that the popular option of modifying the VAZ 2101 engine by installing a Nivov camshaft on a classic will not suit racers; the result will be a low-end VAZ engine, the tops will sag, and this is unacceptable. Optimal rollers for the VAZ 2101 with a modified cylinder head and increased volume to 1.5-1.6 urban STI-2, more sporty STI-3 or STI-4 sports wide-phase, the bottom may sag on it, but the engine will easily spin at more than 7000 rpm /min. We select a camshaft on a VAZ for a standard VAZ 2101 or VAZ 21011 engine, a good choice is Nuzhdin 10.5 256 or Nuzhdin 11.2. A correctly selected camshaft for 2101, as well as a modified head, when boosting the VAZ 2101 engine can show more than 80 hp .

Compressor for VAZ 2101

The market offers ready-made compressor installation kits for the VAZ 2101, for example an auto-turbo compressor with a pressure of 0.5 and 0.7 bar. The 0.5 bar auto-turbo compressor is installed with minimal modifications. When installing a compressor on a VAZ with a pressure of 0.5 bar on a modified cylinder head with a volume increased to 1.5-1.6 liters, the car will produce more than 120 hp. With standard volume up to 90-100 hp. The installation may reduce the service life of the VAZ 2101 engine.

Rotary engine on VAZ 2101

An extreme measure because the price of a rotary engine for a VAZ will force you to immediately discard this idea. Among the rotary engines, the classics include the VAZ-411 RPD with a power of 120 hp, and the VAZ-413 with a power of 140 hp. and VAZ-415 with a power of 140 hp, but lighter. A VAZ-411 RPD with a power of 120 hp was installed on a penny. with it the car was traveling about 180 km/h. The disadvantages of the VAZ RPD are its low service life (with 125 thousand km declared by the manufacturer), high fuel consumption and high oil consumption (up to 1 liter per 1000 km).

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Advantages and disadvantages

In the first years of operation, the 2101 engine revealed the following shortcomings:

• noisy operation of the chain drive;
• increased gasoline consumption in the engine due to defects in carburetors;
• frequent ignition adjustments;
• Difficult adjustment of valve clearances.

Solex carburetor

However, a cylinder head improved with a camshaft, an improved intake manifold and an exhaust manifold of the simplest design compensated for these shortcomings. A little later, DAAZ Ozone carburetors were developed, replacing which made it possible to improve the characteristics of internal combustion engine modes.

Carburetor Ozone

Useful information about the seven

VAZ 2107 body length

The weight of the “seven” is exactly 1030 kilograms. At the same time, the car body is the heaviest among all other parts and components (600 kg). Its assembly diagram differs in a standard, classic sequence for VAZs and includes the following elements:

• Front end parts along with fenders, complemented by reinforcements;
• Roof;
• The bottom is also well reinforced, especially in the front and rear;
• Sidewalls.

Each of the parts is made from a special type of steel, has its own ID number, a specific mold and casting pattern. So, the roof of the “seven” always has a thickness of 0.9 mm.

The body parts are combined with each other by welding. If elements, for example, such as the floor, bear a significant load, they are additionally strengthened by arc welding.

In addition to the main elements, the body of the “seven” also has attached parts called “tails”. These are the parts that can be connected with bolts and hinges to the main frame - bumpers, hood, and so on.

Regardless of the configuration, the VAZ 2107 has certain dimensions.

The body length of the VAZ 2107 reaches 4126 mm, the width is 1620 mm, and the height is 1435 mm.

Control dimensions or correct body geometry

It is not enough for the owner of the “Seven” to know only the standard parameters of the car. It will also be useful to study the control body dimensions of the VAZ 2107 or the points of the car’s frame, especially if the owner plans to improve the dynamics of the car by lightening the body.

The diagram below shows the main control dimensions of the VAZ 2107.

Body dimensions geometry VAZ 2107

The same diagram shows how to check the control points of the body floor.

Control dimensions of the body of the VAZ 2107 floor

Control of the geometry of the body and the attachment points of the chassis and floor units is carried out on a special installation. This is a special type of machine designed for body inspection and repair. This is what he looks like.

VAZ 2107 body control dimensions and their correction

On such a machine, not only measurements are carried out, but also further editing of the body. The purpose of the operation is to recreate the original linear dimensions of the body.

ID VAZ 2107

On the “seven”, like other cars, individual technical information is indicated. It is presented in the table, which can be found under the hood.

IDs imply information not only about the car model. This contains detailed information about the body number and its weight.

Specifications

VAZ engine malfunctions and their symptoms

No matter how reliable the power unit of the “penny” is, it can also sometimes be capricious. The main signs of its malfunction are:

• inability to start;
• unstable operation at idle, tripping;
• reduction in traction and power characteristics;
• overheat;
• extraneous noise (knocking, clattering);
• the appearance of white (blue) exhaust.

Naturally, any of the listed symptoms cannot clearly indicate a specific malfunction, so let's look at them in more detail in the context of possible breakdowns.

The engine won't start at all

If, when you turn on the ignition and turn the key to the position at which the starter is turned on, the latter works, and the power unit shows no signs of life at all, this may be evidence of failure:

• ignition coils;
• distributor;
• breaker;
• ignition circuits;
• fuel pump;
• carburetor

If such a symptom is detected, you should not immediately change any of the ignition system components or disassemble the carburetor. First, make sure that voltage from the battery is supplied to the coil, distributor, distributor, and spark plugs. After this, you can begin diagnosing the fuel pump and carburetor.

Unstable operation at idle

In this case, the malfunction can also be caused by problems in two systems: power and ignition. Typical breakdowns accompanied by this symptom include:

• failure of the carburetor solenoid valve;
• clogging of the fuel filter at the inlet to the carburetor;
• clogged fuel or air jets;
• violation of regulation of the quality and quantity of the fuel-air mixture;
• malfunction of one or more spark plugs;
• burning of the contacts of the ignition distributor, distributor cap, slider;
• breakage of the current-carrying core (insulation breakdown) of one or more high-voltage wires.

Here, as in the previous case, it is better to start searching for the problem by checking the ignition system.

Reduced engine power

The power unit may lose its power characteristics due to:

• fuel pump malfunction;
• clogged fuel filter or fuel line;
• violation of regulation of the quality of the fuel-air mixture;
• increasing the gap between the breaker contacts;
• incorrect adjustment of valve timing or ignition timing;
• wear of piston group elements.

If you detect a decrease in the power and traction characteristics of the power unit, first check whether the timing marks of the gas distribution mechanism match, and also whether the ignition timing is set correctly. Next, you should make sure that the gap between the distributor contacts is adjusted correctly. After this, you can start checking the fuel pump, filter and carburetor. If a drop in engine power is accompanied by thick white smoke from the exhaust pipe, the appearance of an oil emulsion in the air filter housing is a clear sign of wear or damage to the piston parts.

Overheat

A violation of the normal temperature regime can be identified by observing the behavior of the arrow on the temperature indicator located on the vehicle’s instrument panel. When overheated, it moves to the red sector of the scale. In more complex cases, the coolant simply boils. Under no circumstances should you continue driving with such a malfunction. This will inevitably lead, at a minimum, to burnout of the cylinder head gasket.

Engine overheating can be caused by:

• thermostat malfunction (blocking the movement of fluid through the cooling radiator);
• breakdown of the water pump (pump);
• low level of coolant in the system (depressurization, leakage of coolant);
• inefficient operation of the radiator (clogged tubes, external lamellas);
• broken radiator fan drive belt.

Having discovered that the car’s engine has begun to overheat, the first thing you need to do is check the coolant level in the expansion tank. Next, you need to determine whether the thermostat opens to a large circle. To do this, just touch the radiator pipes. With a warm engine they should both be hot. If the top one is hot and the bottom one is cold, the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.

It is almost impossible to determine if the pump is faulty without dismantling it, so it is better to leave this option for last. But the performance of the fan is easy to determine. The “penny” has a permanent drive. Its impeller is driven by a V-belt from the crankshaft pulley. By the way, this belt also ensures the operation of the water pump, so if it breaks, two components of the cooling system will fail at once.

Extraneous noise in the engine

A car engine itself is a rather complex mechanism that produces many different sounds during operation. It is impossible for an uninitiated person to determine by ear a malfunction of the power unit, but a specialist, even without additional equipment, can tell you which sound is unnecessary and what kind of breakdown it indicates. For the VAZ 2101, the following extraneous sounds can be distinguished:

• valve knocking;
• knocking of main or connecting rod bearings;
• clatter of piston pins;
• loud rustling of the timing chain.

Valve knocking can occur due to increased clearance in the valve mechanism, wear of the valve springs, and wear of the camshaft cams. A similar problem is solved by adjusting the valves, replacing springs, restoring or replacing the camshaft.

The crankshaft main and connecting rod bearings may also make knocking noises. Such a malfunction may indicate low oil pressure in the system, increased clearance between the bearings and connecting rod journals, or severe wear of the bearings themselves.

Piston pins usually knock for one reason - incorrectly set ignition angle. Their knocking indicates that the fuel-air mixture ignites too early, which causes detonation in the combustion chambers. It is enough to “delay” the ignition a little by turning the distributor clockwise, and the problem will disappear.

The timing chain cannot help but rustle while driving, but an excessively loud sound is a sign of either stretching or a broken damper. Such a breakdown can be eliminated by replacing the damper or tensioner shoe.

Thick white exhaust

A serviceable engine practically does not smoke in dry weather. In frost or rain, the exhaust becomes noticeably denser due to condensation. This is absolutely normal. But if thick white (in some cases bluish) smoke comes from the exhaust pipe, regardless of weather conditions, most likely there is wear on the piston rings, and perhaps on the pistons themselves and the cylinder walls. In this case, the oil enters the cylinders and burns, and the oil that does not burn is expelled through the carburetor into the air filter housing. It is the burnt grease that creates that white smoke. In addition, when parts of the piston group wear out, exhaust gases can enter the lubrication system, creating excess pressure there. As a result, oil may even leak out through the dipstick hole. There is only one way out - a major overhaul of the engine.

But that's not all. White exhaust is also a sign of cylinder head gasket damage, in which coolant circulating in the cooling jacket enters the combustion chambers. This malfunction is almost always accompanied by exhaust gases entering the expansion tank. So, if you see white smoke, don’t be too lazy to look into the tank. The smell of the exhaust and air bubbles will point you in the right direction to find the problem.

Interesting Facts

Classic VAZ cars have retained their original configuration and the love of the people until modern times, regardless of age and social status. The engineers of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant do not even think of stopping at the achieved result, developing and manufacturing new modifications.

It is noteworthy that of all Soviet passenger cars, only the “kopek” was delivered to the Land of the Rising Sun. The popularity of the models in question is largely due to Kimi Raikkonen, who achieved his first successes and victories on this particular car. The father of the legendary racing driver considered this car one of the most reliable representatives of its segment.

If you find out how much the VAZ-2101 and its followers weigh, you can note that over its half-century history this figure for the brand in question varied from 0.95 to 1.3 tons. There were no significant and cardinal changes in this direction.