Timing chain VAZ 2107: malfunctions, replacement, adjustment

On classic cars of the VAZ family, a timing chain drive was installed. Since this is one of the important elements of the gas distribution mechanism, it is necessary to periodically monitor its condition and tension. In the event of failure of the parts responsible for the operation of the circuit, it is necessary to immediately carry out repairs in order to avoid serious consequences and costly repairs.

Timing chain drive VAZ 2107 - description

The chain transmission of the timing mechanism VAZ 2107 has a long resource, but once the turn comes and its replacement. The need for this arises as a result of the stretching of the links, when the chain tensioner no longer copes with the functions assigned to it. In addition, the parts responsible for the normal operation of the timing drive also wear out over time.

The main elements of the VAZ 2107 timing drive are the chain, damper, shoe, tensioner and sprockets

Soothing

In the chain drive of the VAZ 2107 gas distribution mechanism, a damper is used to dampen jerks and oscillations of the chain. Without this detail, with an increase in the amplitude of oscillations, the chain may fly off the gears or even break off. A broken chain drive is most likely at maximum crankshaft speed, which happens instantly. At the time of the break, the intake and exhaust valves fail. After such damage to the engine, at best, a major overhaul will be required.

The chain damper is designed to dampen vibrations of the chain drive during engine operation.

By its design, the damper is a plate made of high-carbon steel with two holes for fastening. Another element that is simultaneously responsible for calming and tensioning the chain is the shoe. Its rubbing surface is made of high strength polymer material.

Tensioner shoe provides chain tension, eliminating chain sagging

Tensioner

Based on the name, it can be understood that the device is designed to prevent sagging of the timing chain while the engine is running. There are several types of such mechanisms:

• automatic;
• mechanical;
• hydraulic.

Automatic tensioners appeared not so long ago, but have already managed to show their positive and negative sides. The main advantage of the product is that there is no need to periodically adjust the chain tension, since the mechanism keeps it constantly taut. Among the shortcomings of the auto-tensioner, there is a quick failure, high cost, poor tension, as evidenced by the reviews of some car owners.

Hydraulic tensioners are powered by pressurized oil supplied from the engine's lubrication system. Such a design does not require intervention from the driver in terms of adjusting the chain drive, but the mechanism can sometimes wedge, which negates all its advantages.

The most common tensioner is mechanical. However, it has a significant drawback: the product becomes clogged with small particles, as a result of which the plunger jams and the mechanism is unable to perform its functions during tension adjustment.

Tensioner maintains chain tension and allows for adjustments when needed

Chain

The timing chain in the VAZ 2107 engine is designed to connect the crankshaft and camshaft: they have gears on which the chain is put on. After starting the power unit, the synchronous rotation of these shafts is ensured by means of a chain transmission. In case of violation of synchronism for any reason, the timing mechanism fails, as a result of which the stable operation of the engine is disrupted. In such a situation, power failures, deterioration in dynamics, and an increase in fuel consumption are observed.

The timing chain in the VAZ 2107 engine is designed to connect the crankshaft and camshaft

As the vehicle is used, the chain stretches as high loads are placed on it. This indicates the need for periodic adjustment. Otherwise, sagging will lead to jumping of the links on the gears, as a result of which the operation of the power unit will be disrupted. To prevent this from happening, the factory recommends adjusting the chain tension every 10 thousand km. run.

Even if there are no characteristic sounds (rustling) indicating chain stretching, it is advisable to check the tension, especially since the procedure is simple and does not take much time.

Signs and Causes of a Malfunctioning Chain Drive

The timing chain drive, unlike the belt drive, is located inside the motor and, in order to assess the condition of the elements, a partial disassembly of the power unit will be required. There are certain signs that indicate that not everything is in order with the chain drive and that it needs to be tensioned or replaced.

Rattles the chain

Circuit problems can manifest themselves as follows:

• rattles in the cold;
• knocks on hot;
• there is extraneous noise under load;
• constant metallic sound.

If extraneous noise appears, it is recommended to visit a service station in the near future or independently deal with problems in the timing drive and assess the condition of all elements responsible for its operation (tensioner, shoe, damper, chain, gears). If you continue to drive a car with a rattling chain, wear of parts increases.

Due to damage or breakdown of the timing drive elements, the chain may rattle

The main reasons that lead to the failure of timing components are:

• untimely replacement of engine oil or the use of the wrong brand recommended by the manufacturer;
• use of low quality spare parts (non-original);
• low oil level in the engine or low pressure;
• untimely maintenance;
• improper operation;
• poor quality repair.

One of the likely reasons that the chain starts to rattle is its stretching and a malfunction of the tensioner. As a result, the chain drive cannot be tensioned properly, and a uniform noise appears in the motor, similar to the operation of a diesel engine. In most cases, the sound is heard when idling on a cold engine.

Video: why the chain rattles on the "classic"

Why does the chain rattle? Vaz classic.

Jumped the chain

With a weak tension, the chain is pulled out quite quickly and can jump on the gear teeth. This is possible as a result of a broken shoe, tensioner or damper. If the chain has jumped, then there is a strong displacement of the ignition. In this case, it is necessary to carry out troubleshooting of the drive parts of the gas distribution mechanism.

Repair of the timing chain drive VAZ 2107

In the event of a malfunction of the chain mechanism, it is not worth delaying the repair. Otherwise, consequences are possible that will lead to costly repairs. Consider a step-by-step procedure for repairing the constituent elements of the timing drive on the "seven".

Replacing the damper

In order to replace the chain drive damper, you will need to prepare the following list of tools:

• a set of keys and socket heads;
• screwdriver;
• long tweezers, magnetic telescopic handle or hard wire hook;
• engine head cover gasket;
• automotive sealant;
• new chain damper VAZ 2107.

The procedure for replacing the chain damper is reduced to the following step-by-step actions:

1. We remove the air filter, for which we unscrew 3 nuts securing the housing cover and 4 nuts securing to the carburetor.
   

   To gain access to the valve cover, the air filter must be removed along with the housing.
2. With a head or a tubular wrench for 13, we unscrew the fasteners of the valve cover and remove it.
3. Using a 13 wrench, loosen the chain tensioner nut.
   

   The cap nut for fastening the chain tensioner is unscrewed with a spanner wrench 13
4. With the help of a long flat screwdriver, we take the tensioner shoe to the side.
   

   The screwdriver used to pry off the chain tensioner shoe must be thin and long
5. Holding the shoe in the retracted state, tighten the cap nut.
6. We make a hook from a piece of wire and hook the damper through the eye.
   

   The hook for extracting the dampener is made of durable steel wire.
7. We unscrew the bolts securing the damper and remove them, holding the damper itself with a hook.
   

   When unscrewing the fixing bolts, the damper must be held with a steel hook
8. Turn the camshaft 1/3 turn clockwise with a wrench.
9. When the chain is loosened, remove the damper.
   

   You can remove the chain guide only after turning the timing shaft
10. Replace the damaged part with a new one in reverse order.

Video: how to replace the damper on the "seven"

Replacing the chain damper VAZ-2101-07

Replacing the tensioner

Replacing the chain tensioner requires a minimum of time and tools. The work comes down to several steps:

1. We turn off 2 nuts securing the tensioner to the power unit with a key of 13.
   

   To dismantle the chain tensioner, it is necessary to unscrew 2 nuts by 13
2. We dismantle the mechanism from the motor along with the seal.
   

   After unscrewing the fasteners, remove the tensioner from the head along with the gasket
3. The installation is carried out in the reverse order.

Before mounting the tensioner, it is necessary to unscrew the nut and press the rod, then tighten the nut.

Replacing the shoe

Repair work on replacing the shoe begins with the preparation of the tool:

• screwdriver;
• spanners;
• mounting blade;
• wrench for the crankshaft pulley nut or regular 36.

The sequence of steps for replacing a part is as follows:

1. We dismantle the crankcase protection of the power unit.
2. After loosening the fastening of the generator, remove the belt from it and from the crankshaft pulley.
   

   To remove the alternator belt, you will need to release the upper mount
3. We dismantle the casing together with the electric cooling fan.
   

   To get to the front cover of the engine, it is necessary to dismantle the fan
4. We unscrew the nut securing the crankshaft pulley with a 36 wrench and tighten the pulley itself.
   

   Unscrew the nut securing the crankshaft pulley with a special or adjustable wrench
5. We unscrew the bolt fastenings of the front part of the crankcase (under the number 1 - we loosen, under the number 2 - we turn it off).
   

   We unscrew the fastening of the oil pan in front of the engine
6. We loosen and unscrew all the bolts securing the front cover of the motor.
   

   To dismantle the front cover, unscrew the fasteners
7. Remove the cover by prying it with a screwdriver.
   

   Prying off the cover with a screwdriver, carefully remove it along with the gasket
8. We unscrew the mount "2" of the shoe "1" and remove the part.
   

   We unscrew the mount and remove the tensioner shoe
9. Assemble in the reverse order.

Video: how to replace the chain tensioner on a Zhiguli

Replacement: tensioner, shoe, damper and timing chain VAZ-2101

Replacing the chain

The chain is replaced in the following cases:

• when it is stretched, i.e. when the tensioner cannot cope with the tension;
• after a run of 80–100 thousand km.

From the tools you need to prepare:

• a hammer;
• screwdriver;
• spanners;
• mounting blade;
• a piece of wire;
• key for turning the crankshaft.

The procedure for replacing the chain transmission is carried out in the following order:

1. Remove the valve cover from the engine.
   

   To dismantle the valve cover, you need to use a 10-nut wrench to unscrew the fastening nuts
2. We turn the crankshaft with a key until the mark on the camshaft gear is opposite the mark on the bearing housing. In this case, the mark on the crankshaft must also coincide with the mark on the front cover of the engine.
3. Bend the washer that secures the camshaft gear bolt.
   

   We bend the washer that fixes the bolt of the camshaft gear
4. We turn on the fourth gear and put the car on the handbrake.
5. We loosen the fasteners of the camshaft gear.
6. Remove the chain guide.
   

   To remove the chain guide, unscrew the appropriate fasteners
7. We unscrew the fastening of the front cover of the engine and remove the shoe.
8. We bend the lock washer located under the bolt of the gear of the auxiliary units.
   

   We bend the lock washer located under the bolt of the gear of the auxiliary units
9. We unscrew the bolt itself with an open-end wrench by 17 and remove the gear.
   

   We unscrew the bolt itself with an open-end wrench by 17 and remove the gear
10. Loosen the limit pin.
    

    Loosen the limit pin
11. Loosen the camshaft gear bolt.
    

    Loosen the camshaft gear bolt
12. Raise the chain and remove the gear.
    

    Raise the chain to remove the gear.
13. Lower the chain down and remove it from all gears.
14. We check the coincidence of the mark on the crankshaft gear with the mark on the engine block.
    

    We check the coincidence of the mark on the crankshaft gear with the mark on the engine block

If the marks do not match, turn the crankshaft until they are aligned.

After the steps have been taken, you can proceed with the installation of a new circuit:

1. First, we put the part on the crankshaft sprocket.
   

   First we put the chain on the crankshaft gear
2. Then we put the chain on the gear of auxiliary devices.
   

   We put the chain on the gear of auxiliary devices
3. We install the gear of auxiliary units in place, baiting the fixing bolt.
   

   We install the gear of auxiliary units in place, baiting the fixing bolt
4. We hook the chain and raise it to the camshaft.
   

   We hook the chain and raise it to the camshaft
5. We put the chain drive on the camshaft gear and put the sprocket in place.
   

   We put the chain drive on the camshaft gear and put the sprocket in place
6. We check the coincidence of the marks and pull the chain.
7. Lightly tighten the camshaft gear bolt.
   

   Lightly tighten the camshaft gear bolt
8. Install the damper and shoe in the reverse order of removal.
9. We put the restrictive finger in place.
10. We turn on the neutral gear and turn the crankshaft with a 36 key clockwise.
11. We check the coincidence of the labels.
12. With the correct location of the marks, we tighten the chain tensioner nut, turn on the gear and wrap all the gear mounting bolts.
13. We install all the elements in the reverse order.

Video: replacing the timing chain on a VAZ 2101–07

Replacing the chain and sprocket on the VAZ 2106

Installing the chain by marks

If repairs have been made to the timing drive or the chain has a strong stretch, in which the marks on the camshaft gear and crankshaft pulley do not match the corresponding marks on the bearing housing and engine block, you need to make adjustments and install the chain correctly.

Of the tools you will need:

• Screwdriver Set;
• key to rotate the crankshaft;
• keys set.

To install the chain, follow these steps:

1. Remove the cover, filter and its housing.
2. We disconnect the crankcase exhaust pipe from the carburetor, and also loosen the suction cable fasteners to remove the cable.
   

   Disconnect the crankcase exhaust pipe from the carburetor
3. Using a 10mm socket wrench, unscrew the valve cover fasteners.
4. We remove the lever from the cover along with the carburetor rods.
   

   Remove the lever from the cover along with the carburetor rods
5. Remove the block head cover.
6. We scroll the crankshaft with a key until the mark on the camshaft gear matches the protrusion on the housing. The mark on the crankshaft pulley must match the length of the mark on the front cover of the engine.
   

   We scroll the crankshaft with the key until the timing marks match
7. If, when setting the marks, it turned out that one of them does not match, we unbend the lock washer under the camshaft gear mounting bolt.
8. We turn on the first gear and unscrew the bolt securing the camshaft gear.
9. We remove the asterisk, holding it in our hands.
10. We dismantle the chain from the gear and change its position in the right direction to align all the marks, as described in paragraph 6.
11. We carry out the assembly in the reverse order.
12. At the end of the procedure, do not forget to stretch the chain.

Video: setting the valve timing on the VAZ 2101–07

How to mark the VAZ timing chain. Do it yourself!

Chain tension

Every owner of this car should know how to tension the timing chain on the VAZ 2107. To carry out the work you need to prepare:

• key on 13;
• key 36 for crankshaft rotation;
• a hammer.

The procedure is carried out in the following order

1. Using a 13 wrench, unscrew the cap nut of the tensioner.
2. With the crankshaft wrench, turn the pulley a few turns.
3. We stop the crankshaft at the moment of maximum resistance to rotation. In this position, we make a stretch.
4. We turn the cap nut.

Video: chain tension on the "classic"

How to tension the camshaft drive chain VAZ-2101-2107.

Sometimes it happens that when the nut is loosened, the tensioner does not snap off. To do this, tap on the body of the mechanism with a hammer.

To understand whether the chain really has a good tension, you must first remove the valve cover before adjusting.

Types of chain drive

The VAZ "seven", like the other "classic", is equipped with a double-row timing chain. However, there is a single-row chain, which, if desired, can be installed on the Zhiguli.

Single row chain

A chain drive with one row has less noise when the engine is running, compared to two rows. This factor is one of the main ones in favor of choosing single-row chains. Therefore, some owners of the VAZ 2107 decide to replace the timing drive. The lower noise level is due to the fact that fewer links are driven. In addition to the whole engine, it is easier to rotate such a chain, which positively affects the increase in power. However, due to the low noise level when such a chain is stretched, it is not always clear that the part needs to be tensioned.

Single row timing chain is less noisy

double row chain

Despite the advantages of a single-row chain, a two-row chain drive is the most common, since it is characterized by high reliability and when a link breaks, the entire chain does not break. In addition, the load on the timing drive parts is distributed evenly, as a result of which the chain and gears wear out more slowly. The term of the part in question exceeds 100 thousand km. Although recently, automakers, in order to reduce the weight of power units, install chains with one row.

The double-row chain has a long service life despite the higher noise level

Replacing a double row chain with a single row

If you are thinking about replacing a double-row chain drive with a single-row one, you will need to purchase the following parts:

• crankshaft, camshaft and oil pump gears for single row chain;
• soothing;
• shoe;
• single row chain;
• automatic tensioner.

To install a single-row chain, you will need to replace the gears, chain, damper and timing chain tensioner

All of the listed parts are taken, as a rule, from the VAZ 21214. The work of replacing the chain should not cause difficulties. The only thing that is required is to replace the sprockets, for which the corresponding fasteners are unscrewed. Otherwise, the steps are similar to the procedure for replacing a conventional two-row chain.

Video: installing a single-row chain on a VAZ

Installation of a single row chain on a low block 2101-21011

Despite the fact that replacing the timing chain drive with a VAZ 2107 is not an easy process, every Zhiguli owner can do it if you follow the step-by-step instructions. The main thing is to correctly set the marks upon completion of the work, which will ensure the synchronous operation of the crankshaft and camshaft.