Chevrolet Niva antifreeze replacement

Initially, antifreeze is poured into the Chevrolet Niva factory cooling system, the service life of which is extremely short. And also the composition and additives used are significantly inferior in quality to modern liquids made on the basis of carboxylate or polypropylene glycol. Therefore, many motorists prefer to change it to antifreeze at the first replacement, which better protects the cooling system.

Stages of replacing coolant Chevrolet Niva

When switching from antifreeze to antifreeze, it is imperative to flush the cooling system. This is done so that the new liquid does not lose its properties when mixed. And also due to the different chemical composition, a precipitate may form or flakes fall off. Therefore, the correct procedure between draining and filling should include a flushing step.

This model is quite popular, so many people know it by other names:

• Chevrolet Niva (Chevrolet Niva);
• Chevrolet Niva (Chevrolet Niva);
• Shniva;
• VAZ-21236.

Consider the instructions for replacing the coolant using the example of a 1,7-liter gasoline engine. But there is one caveat, on cars after restyling in 2016 there is an electronic control of the accelerator pedal.

Therefore, there are no nozzles for heating the throttle valve. So consider venting the air out of this mod. You can also get acquainted with the nuances of replacing on a standard Niva 4x4, the replacement on which we also described.

Draining the coolant

To drain the antifreeze, you need to install the machine on a flat surface, open the cap of the expansion tank and wait a bit until the temperature drops below 60 ° C. For convenience, remove the decorative plastic protection on top of the motor.

Further in the instructions it is recommended to unscrew the thermostat to the maximum. But it is useless to do so. Since the temperature control in the Chevrolet Niva occurs due to the movement of the air damper. And not by overlapping the radiator, as on old VAZs.

After the machine has cooled down a bit, we proceed to the drain process:

• If you stand in front of the car, then at the bottom right of the radiator there is a plastic valve that closes the drain hole. Unscrew it to drain the antifreeze from the radiator

.

• Radiator drain
• Now you need to drain the coolant from the cylinder block. To do this, we find the drain plug, which is located in the block, between the 3rd and 4th cylinders (Fig. 2). We unscrew with a 13 key or use a head with an extension cord. For more comfortable work, you can remove the cable from the candle.

Thus, we completely drain the old fluid, but in any case, a small part remains in the system, distributed through the engine channels. Therefore, in order for the replacement to be of high quality, we proceed to flush the system.

Flushing the cooling system

If the Chevrolet Niva cooling system is not clogged, but simply a scheduled replacement, then we use ordinary distilled water for flushing. To do this, close the drain holes and fill the expansion tank with distilled water.

Then close the tank cap and start the engine. Heat until the thermostat opens to flush both circuits. Then turn off, wait until it cools down and drain the water. To achieve a good result, it is recommended to carry out this procedure 2-3 times.

In case of severe contamination of the car system, flushing with special chemical solutions is recommended. Well-known brands such as LAVR or Hi Gear are suitable for this purpose. Recommendations, like instructions, are usually printed on the back of the container with the composition.

Filling without air pockets

In order to properly fill in new antifreeze in the Chevrolet Niva, you need to perform a series of actions. After all, it depends on whether an air lock is formed in the system or not. We will be closing the tear holes in stages, so for now we will leave them open:

1. We begin to pour antifreeze into the expansion tank, as soon as it flows through the drain hole in the radiator, we put a butterfly plug in its place.
2. We continue the bay until it now flows out of the hole in the block. Then we close too. The drain bolt in the block should be tightened with a small amount of force, approximately 25-30 N•m, if a torque wrench is available.
3. Now we need to bleed air from the top of the radiator. To do this, we find a special socket, the place of which is shown in the photo (Fig. 3). We unscrew it a little, continue to pour antifreeze into the tank, as soon as it flows, we wrap the cork in place. Fig.3 Top air outlet

Now you need to expel the air from the last highest point. We disconnect one of the pipes going to the heating from the throttle valve (Fig. 4). We continue to fill in the coolant, it has flowed out of the hose, put it in place. Fig.4 Hoses on the throttle

This article is for those who have a 2016 car with an electronic throttle. There are no pipes here. But there is a special hole in the thermostat housing (Fig. 5). Remove the rubber plug, releasing the air, install it in place.

On machines manufactured in 2017, there is no air duct on the thermostat, so we remove the air by slightly unscrewing the temperature sensor

Now we fill the expansion tank between the maximum and minimum strips and tighten the plug.

The system is fully charged with new antifreeze, now it remains only to start the engine, wait for it to warm up completely, check the level. Some people advise starting the car with the tank open and turning it off after 5 minutes to remove as much air pockets as possible. But when replacing according to this instruction, they should not be.

Frequency of replacement, which antifreeze to fill

Chevrolet Niva maintenance information recommends changing antifreeze every 60 km. But many motorists are not satisfied with the flooded antifreeze, which becomes unusable by 000 thousand. Dzerzhinsky antifreeze is usually poured at the factory, but there is also information on how to fill in red antifreeze.

As a coolant option, it is better to use a concentrate rather than a finished product. Since it can be diluted in the proper ratio, after all, after washing, there is still some distilled water left in the system.

A good option would be Castrol Radicool SF concentrate, which is often recommended by dealers. If you choose ready-made antifreezes, then you should pay attention to the red AGA Z40. Well proven FELIX Carbox G12+ or Lukoil G12 Red.

How much antifreeze is in the cooling system, volume table

Model	Engine power	How many liters of antifreeze is in the system	Original liquid / analogues
Chevrolet Niva	1.7 gasoline	8.2	Castrol Radicool SF
AGA Z40
FELIX Carbox G12+
Lukoil G12 Red

Leaks and problems

When changing the refrigerant, check all lines and connections for possible problems. In fact, when the liquid is drained, it is easier to replace them than they will tear during operation. You need to pay special attention to the clamps, for some reason many put ordinary worm gears. Over time, the hoses are pinched, from which they are torn off.

In general, the Chevrolet Niva has several major problems associated with the cooling system. It often happens that antifreeze flows out of the expansion tank. Plastic keeps breaking and leaking. In this case, a replacement will be required.

Another problem is the antifreeze under the driver's carpet, which can cause a sweetish smell in the cabin, as well as fogging the windows. It's most likely a heater core leak. This problem is usually called "the worst dream of Shevovod."

There is also a situation when antifreeze is ejected from the expansion tank. This may indicate a blown cylinder head gasket. This is checked as follows. On a completely cooled car, the expansion tank cap is removed, after which you need to start the engine and turn on the gas intensively. It is advisable to have a second person at the same time so that you can see if the antifreeze in the tank is boiling at this time.