We independently change the thermostat on a VAZ 2106 car
Content
If the VAZ 2106 engine suddenly began to overheat for no apparent reason, the thermostat most likely failed. This is a very small device, which at first glance seems to be something insignificant. But this impression is deceptive: if there are problems with the thermostat, the car will not go far. And moreover, the engine, overheated, can simply jam. Is it possible to avoid these troubles and replace the thermostat with your own hands? Undoubtedly. Let's figure out how it's done.
Appointment of the thermostat on the VAZ 2106
The thermostat must control the degree of heating of the coolant and respond in a timely manner when the temperature of the antifreeze becomes too high or, conversely, too low.
The device can direct the coolant either along a small or a large cooling circle, thereby preventing the engine from overheating, or, conversely, helping it to quickly warm up after a long idle period. All this makes the thermostat an essential element of the VAZ 2106 cooling system.
Thermostat location
The thermostat in the VAZ 2106 is located to the right of the engine, where the pipes for removing the coolant from the main radiator are located. To see the thermostat, simply open the hood of the car. The convenient location of this part is a big plus when it becomes necessary to replace it.
Principle of operation
As mentioned above, the main task of the thermostat is to maintain the engine temperature within the specified limits. When the engine needs to warm up, the thermostat blocks the main radiator until the engine reaches the optimum temperature. This simple measure can significantly extend the life of the engine and reduce wear on its components. The thermostat has a main valve. When the coolant reaches a temperature of 70 ° C, the valve opens (here it should be noted that the opening temperature of the main valve can be higher - up to 90 ° C, and this depends both on the design of the thermostat and on the thermal filler that is in it used).
The second important element of the thermostat is a special compression cylinder made of brass, inside of which there is a small piece of technical wax. When the antifreeze in the system is heated to 80°C, the wax in the cylinder melts. Expanding, it presses on a long stem connected to the main valve of the thermostat. The stem extends from the cylinder and opens the valve. And when the antifreeze cools, the wax in the cylinder begins to harden, and its expansion coefficient decreases. As a result, the pressure on the stem weakens and the thermostatic valve closes.
The opening of the valve here means the displacement of its leaf by only 0,1 mm. This is the initial opening value, which sequentially increases by 0,1 mm when the antifreeze temperature rises by two to three degrees. When the coolant temperature rises by 20°C, the thermostat valve opens fully. The full opening temperature can vary from 90 to 102 °C depending on the manufacturer and design of the thermostat.
Types of thermostats
The VAZ 2106 car was produced for many years. And during this time, engineers have made a number of changes to it, including the thermostats. Consider which thermostats were installed on the VAZ 2106 from the moment the first cars were released to the present day.
Single valve thermostat
One-valve thermostats were installed on the very first "sixes" that came off the VAZ conveyor. The principle of operation of this device has been described in detail above. By now, these devices are considered obsolete, and it is not so easy to find them on sale.
Electronic thermostat
The electronic thermostat is the latest and most advanced modification to replace single valve devices. Its main advantages are high accuracy and reliability. Electronic thermostats have two operating modes: automatic and manual.
Liquid thermostat
Thermostats are classified not only by design, but also by the type of filler. Liquid thermostats were the very first. The main component of a liquid thermostat is a small brass cylinder filled with distilled water and alcohol. The principle of operation of this device is the same as for the wax-filled thermostats mentioned above.
Solid fill thermostat
Ceresin acts as a filler in such thermostats. This substance, similar in consistency to ordinary wax, is mixed with copper powder and placed in a copper cylinder. The cylinder has a rubber membrane connected to a stem, also made of dense rubber, resistant to high temperatures. The ceresin that expands from heating presses on the membrane, which, in turn, acts on the stem and valve, circulating antifreeze.
Which thermostat is better
Today, thermostats based on solid fillers are considered the best option for the VAZ 2106, since they have the best combination of price and quality. In addition, they can be found in any car dealership, unlike liquid single-valve ones, which are practically no longer on sale.
Signs of a broken thermostat
There are a number of signs that unambiguously indicate that the thermostat is faulty:
- on the instrument panel, a lamp is constantly on, indicating that the engine is overheating. This is usually due to the fact that the thermostat valve has closed and is stuck in this position;
- the engine does not heat up very well. This means that the thermostat valve does not close tightly. As a result, antifreeze goes both in a small and a large cooling circle and cannot warm up in a timely manner;
- after starting the engine, the lower thermostat tube heats up in just a minute. You can check this by simply placing your hand on the pipe. This situation indicates that the thermostat valve is stuck in the fully open position.
If any of these signs are found, the driver should replace the thermostat as soon as possible. If the car owner ignores the above symptoms, this will inevitably lead to overheating of the motor and its seizure. It is extremely difficult to restore the engine after such a breakdown.
Thermostat Test Methods
There are four main ways to check that the thermostat is working. Let's list them in order of increasing difficulty:
- The motor starts and idles for ten minutes. After that, you need to open the hood and carefully touch the lower hose coming out of the thermostat. If the device works correctly, the temperature of the lower hose will not differ from the temperature of the upper one. After ten minutes of operation, they will be warm. And if the temperature of one of the hoses is significantly higher, the thermostat is broken and needs to be replaced.
- The engine starts and runs at idle. After starting the engine, you must immediately open the hood and put your hand on the hose through which antifreeze enters the top of the radiator. If the thermostat is working properly, this hose will be cold until the engine is properly warmed up.
If the thermostat is working, then immediately after starting the engine, the hose leading to the radiator remains cold, and when the engine is fully warmed up, it becomes hot - Liquid test. This method involves removing the thermostat from the car and immersing it in a pot of hot water and a thermometer. As mentioned above, the fully open temperature of the thermostat varies from 90 to 102 °C. Therefore, it is necessary to immerse the thermostat in water when the thermometer shows a temperature that is within these limits. If the valve opens instantly after immersion, and gradually closes after being removed from the water, then the thermostat is working. If not, you need to change it.All you need to test your thermostat is a pot of water and a thermometer.
- Checking with the help of an hour indicator IC-10. The previous verification method only allows you to establish the very fact of opening and closing the valve, but does not make it possible to accurately determine the temperature at which all this happens. In order to measure it, you need a clock indicator, which is installed on the thermostat rod. The thermostat itself is immersed in a container with cold water and a thermometer (the thermometer division value should be 0,1 ° C). Then the water in the pan begins to heat up. This can be done both with the help of a boiler, and by putting the entire structure on gas. As the water heats up, the degree of opening of the valve is monitored and recorded, displayed on the clock indicator. The observed figures are then compared with the thermostat's stated specifications, which can be found in the car's owner's manual. If the difference in numbers does not exceed 5%, the thermostat is working, if not, it must be replaced.Checking with a dial indicator gives greater accuracy than the method using a conventional thermometer.
Video: check the thermostat
We change the thermostat on a VAZ 2106 on our own
Before starting work, you should select tools and consumables. To replace the thermostat, we need:
- new thermostat;
- coolant (5 liters);
- a basin for draining old antifreeze;
- flat screwdriver.
It should be noted here that the thermostat cannot be repaired. The reason is simple: inside it has a thermocouple with a liquid or solid filler. It is he who fails most often. But such elements are not sold individually, so the car owner has only one option - to replace the entire thermostat.
Sequence of work
Before making any manipulations with the thermostat, the coolant must be drained. Without this operation, further work is impossible. It is convenient to drain the antifreeze by placing the car on the inspection hole and unscrewing the main radiator cap.
- After draining the antifreeze, the hood of the car opens. The thermostat is located to the right of the motor. It comes with three hoses.All hoses must be removed from the thermostat.
- The hoses are attached to the thermostat nozzles with steel clamps, which are loosened with a flat screwdriver.The clamps on the thermostat hoses are most conveniently loosened with a large flathead screwdriver.
- After loosening the clamps, the hoses are removed from the nozzles manually, the old thermostat is removed and replaced with a new one. The hoses are returned to their place, the clamps are tightened, and new coolant is poured into the radiator. The procedure for replacing the thermostat can be considered complete.After removing the hoses, the VAZ 2106 thermostat is removed manually
Video: change the thermostat yourself
So, the owner of a VAZ 2106 does not need to go to the nearest car service to replace the thermostat. Everything can be done by hand. This task is quite within the power of a novice driver, who at least once held a screwdriver in his hands. The main thing is not to forget to drain the antifreeze before starting work.
