Engine VAZ-21129
Content
For modern Lada Vesta, X-Ray, Largus, VAZ engine builders launched an improved power unit into production. The well-known VAZ-21127 served as the basis for its creation.
Description
The new engine received the VAZ-21129 index. However, it can be called new with a big stretch. In fact, this is the same VAZ-21127. The main changes affected improvements that lead to compliance with Euro 5 toxicity standards. At the same time, minor changes affected the mechanical part of the motor.
The VAZ-21129 engine is a 16-liter in-line four-cylinder 1,6-valve aspirated engine with a capacity of 106 hp. with and a torque of 148 Nm.
Installed on Lada cars:
- Vesta (2015);
- X-Ray (2016-present);
- Largus (2017-present).
The cylinder block is cast from ductile iron. The working surfaces of the sleeves are honed. The cooling cavities are made during casting, and the channels connecting them are made by drilling. Additionally, the design of the supports and the oil pan has been changed. In general, the cylinder block has become more rigid.
The cylinder head has traditionally remained aluminum, with two camshafts and 16 valves (DOHC). There is no need to adjust the thermal gap manually, since the pushers are hydraulic compensators.
The pistons are also made of aluminum alloy. They have three rings, two of which are compression and one oil scraper. There are recesses in the bottom of the piston, but they do not protect the valves in the event of contact (for example, in the event of a broken timing belt). In any case, when meeting with a piston, the bending of the valves, as well as the destruction of the piston, are inevitable.
The changes affected the piston skirt. Now it has become short (lightweight) with graphite coating. The rings have also received an improvement - they have become thinner. As a result, the friction force of the ring-wall pair of the cylinder liner is reduced.
The connecting rods are "split", with a steel-bronze bushing pressed into the upper head.
Slightly modified crankshaft. Now in his body there are special additional drillings, thanks to which oil starvation of the connecting rod journals is excluded.
The intake system has been changed. On the VAZ-21129, an intake receiver with variable geometry and chamber volume is installed. This is achieved by introducing a flap system that regulates the length of the intake manifold.
Oil nozzles appeared in the lubrication system, cooling the bottoms of the pistons.
The mass air flow sensor is excluded from the electrics. Instead, atmospheric pressure and air temperature sensors are installed.
As a result of the refinement, the idle speed stabilized, the technical and economic indicators of the motor increased.
Additionally, in the electrical part, the ECU of the old engine was replaced with a new one (M86). The work of all electricians is carried out from the energy generated by the modernized DC generator.
The unit is adapted for use with different types of transmissions (manual transmission and automatic transmission-AMT).
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer | Autoconcern "AvtoVAZ" |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Volume, cm³ | 1596 |
| Power, hp from | 106 |
| Torque, Nm | 148 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel injection order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder head | aluminum |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 82 |
| The piston stroke, mm | 75.6 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 (DOHC) |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | Yes |
| Camshaft adjuster | no |
| Lubrication system capacity, l | 4.1 |
| Applied oil | 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40 |
| Fuel system | injector, port injection |
| Fuel | gasoline AI-95 |
| Environmental standards | Euro 5 |
| Resource, outside. km | 200 |
| Location | transverse |
| Weight, kg | 92.5 |
| Tuning (potential), l. With | 150 |
Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability
Reliability
The reliability of the engine is eloquently evidenced by the fact that the resource declared by the manufacturer overlaps almost twice. According to car owners, there are engines with a mileage of more than 350 thousand km without any significant repairs.
All motorists unanimously argue that with timely and high-quality service, the VAZ-21129 is reliable and economical. This can be repeatedly read in the reviews of participants in various specialized forums.
For example, VADIM writes: “…engine 1,6 mileage 83500 km. Fuel consumption: city 6,5 - 7,0, highway 5,5 -6,0. Depends on the speed, quality of gasoline, as well as the build quality of the engine itself. No oil consumption, no refills from replacement to replacement».
Roman is of the same opinion. He reports: “…I go to Largus Cross 5 seats, I bought it in the salon in June 2019, mileage is 40 tons, the oil in the engine is Lada Ultra 5w40, I try to change it every 7000, during this time I don’t notice fumes, oil consumption, from extraneous noise - hydraulic lifters knock, and even then, in the first three or four seconds after starting in frost from - 20, I don’t consider this critical, the engine is familiar from Priora, loves speed and does not consume much fuel". Alex adds: "...great engine, pulls well from the bottom on the highway low consumption of 5,7 liters!».
Well, for those car owners who ignore the timely maintenance, save on technical fluids, really force the engine, one can only sympathize.
As an example, Soar Angele's bewilderment: "...Vesta 2017 mileage 135t km engine 21129 chip tuning done, forward flow on 51 pipes, rubber R16/205/50 holder. There was a consumption of 10 liters in urban style, then suddenly the consumption increased to 15 liters per 100 ...».
Or like this. Razrtshitele from Vologda wrote the following opus: “…about engine speed: the problem is that when the car rolls at a speed of 5 km / h, it is difficult to stick in 1st gear, and the second one is easy to stick. You stick it in, try to go and go with tension ...».
For what??? Why "stick" first gear if the car is already moving? To check the reliability of the motor and transmission? Comments, as they say, are unnecessary.
Issues of internal combustion engine reliability are constantly in the field of view of the manufacturer. So, in August 2018, the piston group was finalized. The result was the elimination of the phenomenon of bending the valves when they come into contact with the piston.
Conclusion: VAZ-21129 is a completely reliable engine with appropriate handling.
Weak spots
They are available on the VAZ-21129, but it must immediately be emphasized that they are not critical.
Complaints about the operation of the cooling system are caused due to a poor-quality thermostat.
There is some truth in this. It happens that the thermostat stops working, which can cause the engine to overheat. Or vice versa, it takes too long to warm up to operating temperature. Both are bad.
In the first case, there is an almost 100% prerequisite for a major overhaul, in the second, a long, but increased wear of the rubbing surfaces of the CPG will lead to the same result. There is only one way to solve the problem - to detect a malfunction in time and immediately take measures to eliminate it.
Timing drive. The resource of the drive belt is assigned by the manufacturer at 200 thousand km. According to reviews, the figure is real, it is maintained. What can not be said about the bypass roller and the water pump. They usually fail by 120-140 thousand km, wedge, and cause the drive belt to break.
The result is a bend in the valves, a major overhaul of the motor. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to change the timing units ahead of schedule (90-100 thousand km).
Such a phenomenon as engine tripping brings no small troubles to car owners. In most cases, faulty spark plugs or ignition coils, dirty nozzles are the basis. Electrical parts are to be replaced, and nozzles to be flushed.
Sometimes motorists are alarmed by loud knocks from under the hood. As a rule, their "authors" are hydraulic lifters, which wear out quickly when using low-quality oil.
Given that the hydraulic lifters are not repairable, they will have to be changed. If the warranty period of the internal combustion engine has not expired - under warranty, free of charge. Otherwise, get ready to fork out. This will be the reason for the calculation - what to save on. Oil or engine repair.
As you can see, in most cases, the weak points of the engine are provoked by the car owners themselves with their careless attitude to the motor.
Maintainability
It should be noted right away that the maintainability of the VAZ-21129 power unit is good. But at the same time it has its own characteristics. With the acquisition of the necessary spare parts for repairs, there are no difficulties.
They are in any specialized store. Here is the only pitfall - due to inexperience, it is possible to buy a counterfeit part or assembly. The modern market will gladly offer such products. Especially Chinese made.
When restoring the engine performance, only original spare parts are used. Otherwise, the repair will have to be carried out again.
It must also be remembered that modern engines, including the VAZ-21129, are no longer the classic "penny", "six", etc. For example, the same VAZ-21129, even for simple repairs, requires the use of a special tool.
For clarity, when restoring the motor, you will need torx keys, or in the common people “asterisks”. They will be needed when replacing spark plugs and other engine components.
Another surprise lies in wait for those who repair the internal combustion engine at the service station. It doesn't come cheap. For example, replacing a timing belt will cost about 5000 rubles (2015 price tag). Of course, it is cheaper to do repairs and maintenance yourself, but knowledge and experience are needed here.
Before deciding on the restoration of the engine, it will not be superfluous to consider the option of replacing the motor with a contract one. Sometimes it will be less costly than doing a full overhaul.
Summing up, it should be noted that the VAZ-21129 is a modern, reliable and easy-to-use engine. But with proper care.
