Engine VAZ-2103
Content
AvtoVAZ engineers have created a transitional model in the concern's classic line of power units. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be the most "tenacious" among similar motors.
Description
Created in 1972, the VAZ-2103 engine represents the third generation of the VAZ classic. In fact, it is a refinement of the first-born of the plant - VAZ-2101, but in comparison with it it has significant differences.
Initially, the motor was intended to equip the developed VAZ-2103 car, but subsequently the scope expanded.
During the release of the internal combustion engine has been repeatedly upgraded. It is characteristic that all modifications of this unit had improved technical capabilities.
The VAZ-2103 engine is a four-cylinder gasoline aspirated engine with a volume of 1,45 liters and a power of 71 hp. with and a torque of 104 Nm.
Installed on VAZ cars:
- 2102 (1972-1986);
- 2103 (1972-1984);
- 2104 (1984-2012);
- 2105 (1994-2011);
- 2106 (1979-2005);
- 2107 (1982-2012).
The cylinder block is cast iron. Not sleeved. The height of the block is increased by 8,8 mm and is 215,9 mm (for the VAZ-2101 it is 207,1 mm). This improvement made it possible to change the volume of the motor upwards. As a result, we have a higher power of the internal combustion engine (77 hp).
A feature of the crankshaft is an increase in the size of the crank by 7 mm. As a result, the piston stroke became 80 mm. Shaft journals are hardened for increased strength.
The connecting rod is taken from the VAZ-2101 model. Length - 136 mm. It must be borne in mind that each connecting rod has its own cover.
Pistons are standard. Made from aluminum alloy. The skirt is coated with tin.
They have three rings, two upper compression, lower oil scraper. The first top ring is chrome plated, the second one is phosphated (to increase strength).
Aluminum cylinder head. It houses the camshaft and valves. Hydraulic compensators are not provided for by the VAZ-2103 design. The thermal clearance of the valves has to be adjusted manually (with nuts and a feeler gauge) after 10 thousand kilometers of the car.
The camshaft has a peculiar feature. Between the cams of the second cylinder is not a working neck. It is not processed, has the shape of a hexagon.
The timing drive is a two-row toothed bush-roller chain. It must be borne in mind that when it breaks, the valves bend. A V-belt is used to rotate attachment units.
The ignition system is classic (contact: breaker-distributor, or distributor). But later it was replaced by electronic ignition (non-contact).
Fuel supply system. To prepare the working mixture, a carburetor with a vacuum ignition timing controller is used. On the Internet, you can find the statement that later engine models were equipped with an injector instead of a carburetor.
This is an erroneous statement. VAZ-2103 has always been carbureted. On the basis of the VAZ-2103, an injection power system was introduced, but this engine had a different modification (VAZ-2104).
General conclusion: VAZ-2103 surpasses previous modifications in all respects.
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer | Autoconcern "AvtoVAZ" |
| Release year | 1972 |
| Volume, cm³ | 1452 |
| Power, hp from | 71 |
| Torque, Nm | 104 |
| Compression ratio | 8.5 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Cylinder head | aluminum |
| Fuel injection order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 76 |
| The piston stroke, mm | 80 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | no |
| Camshaft adjuster | no |
| Lubrication system capacity, l | 3.75 |
| Applied oil | 5W-30, 5W-40, 15W-40 |
| Oil consumption (calculated), l / 1000 km | 0.7 |
| Fuel system | carburetor |
| Fuel | gasoline AI-93 |
| Environmental standards | Euro 2 |
| Resource, outside. km | 125 |
| Weight, kg | 120.7 |
| Location | longitudinal |
| Tuning (potential), l. With | 200* |
*without loss of resource 80 l. With
Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability
Reliability
VAZ-2103 is considered by almost all car owners to be unpretentious and reliable. When exchanging views on the forums, the owners express a unanimous opinion.
So Andrew writes: “… before the "three rubles" came to me, the engine survived three repairs. Despite the age, there is enough traction for the eyes ...". Ruslan notes the easy launch: “… cold start. For example, yesterday I easily started the engine at -30, despite the fact that the battery did not bring home. Tough motor. At least in the range of 3000-4000 rpm, there is enough traction, and the dynamics, in principle, are not bad, especially for such an ancient car ...».
Another noteworthy review. Yuryevich (Donetsk) shares his experience: “… I also noticed one feature and not only me. By changing the oil from mineral water to semi-synthetic, the engine resource increases. Already 195 thousand have passed since the capital, and he is like a clock, compression 11, does not eat oil, does not smoke... ".
Reliability can be judged by the resource of the motor. VAZ-2103, with proper care without major repairs, easily takes care of more than 300 thousand km.
In addition, the engine has a large margin of safety. Fans of tuning manage to remove 200 hp from it. With.
However, reasonable caution must be exercised in this matter. Excessive forcing of the motor significantly reduces its resource.
The simplicity of the design of the internal combustion engine also has a positive effect on the reliability of the unit.
The only conclusion is that the VAZ-2103 is a simple, unpretentious and reliable engine.
Weak spots
There are few weak points in the engine, but they are. A characteristic feature is their repetition of the basic model.
Engine overheating occurs for two reasons. In most cases, the problem must be sought in the water pump (pump).
More rarely, a faulty thermostat is the culprit. In any case, a faulty node must be detected in a timely manner and replaced with a serviceable one.
Rapid camshaft wear. Here the fault lies entirely with the manufacturer. The cause of the malfunction is the lack of a timing chain tensioner. Timely tension of the chain will reduce the problem to nothing.
Unstable or floating engine speed. As a rule, the cause of the malfunction is a clogged carburetor.
Untimely maintenance, refueling with gasoline of not the best quality - these are the components of jet or filter clogging. Additionally, it is necessary to check the adjustment of the carburetor control drive.
Extraneous noise during engine operation occurs when the valves are not adjusted. A stretched timing chain can also serve as a source. The malfunction is eliminated independently or at a car service.
Trouble of the engine. The most likely cause of this phenomenon lies in the malfunction of the ignition system.
A crack on the cover of the breaker or its peddler, broken insulation of high-voltage wires, a faulty candle will certainly cause tripling.
Other minor faults are associated with oil leaks through the valve cover seals or the oil pan. They are not fatal, but require immediate elimination.
As you can see, a significant part of the malfunctions is not a weak point of the engine, but occurs only when the car owner carelessly handles the engine.
Maintainability
ICE VAZ-2103 is highly maintainable. Many car owners repair the engine on their own, right in the garage. The key to a successful repair is a hassle-free search for spare parts and the absence of complex adjustments. In addition, the cast-iron block allows you to perform major repairs of any complexity.
When buying spare parts yourself, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. The fact is that now the market is simply flooded with low-quality goods. Without a certain experience, it is easy to purchase a trivial fake instead of the original part or assembly.
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the original from a fake even for an experienced motorist. And the use of analogues in the repair nullifies all the work and costs.
Before starting restoration work, it will not be superfluous to consider purchasing a contract engine. It's no secret that many VAZ-2103s today have exhausted all conceivable and inconceivable resources, have undergone more than one major overhaul. Further restoration of the internal combustion engine is simply no longer possible.
It is in this case that the option of buying a contract unit will be the most acceptable. The cost depends on the year of manufacture and the completeness of attachments, lies in a wide range from 30 to 45 thousand rubles.
VAZ-2103 has gained great popularity among car owners. Of these, the vast majority consider the engine to be perfect, of high quality and reliable. Confirmation of what has been said - “troikas” with native engines are still confidently operated on the roads in all regions of Russia and neighboring countries.
