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24.05.2020
VAZ-2101 is a compact rear-wheel drive car, which is a copy of the Italian Fiat 124. It was produced from 1972 to 1988. It was this model that became the founder of the “classic family of VAZ cars,” which were on the assembly line until 2012. Model 2101 in the early 70s was considered the most advanced civilian car in the USSR for the mass consumer. Moreover, in 1972, AvtoVAZ was awarded the Golden Mercury award for the production of this model. In 2000, the magazine “Behind the Wheel” held an all-Russian vote, according to the results of which the VAZ-2101 became the best domestic model of the 20th century. The total production volume of all modifications of the 2101 sedan over the years of production (1970-1988) amounted to 4.85 million units.
Criteria for selecting VAZ 2101 oil
All oils are selected based on compliance with SAE, ACEA, API.
- In terms of composition, it is optimal to use semi-synthetics for used VAZs.
- ACEA A3/B3-B4.
- API SF and higher.
AvtoVAZ offers the following table to select the appropriate viscosity:
| Minimum engine cold start temperature, °C | Viscosity grade according to SAE J 300 | Maximum ambient temperature, °C |
| -35 | 0W-30 | 25 |
| -35 | 0W-40 | 30 |
| -30 | 5W-30 | 25 |
| -30 | 5W-40 | 35 |
| -25 | 10W-30 | 25 |
| -25 | 10W-40 | 35 |
| -20 | 15W-40 | 45 |
| -15 | 20W-40 | 45 |
But most often drivers fill in with 10w-40.
Information on viscosity for a specific engine can be found in the motor oil interchangeability catalog: https://www.northsealubricants.com/en/oil-advisor
The catalog can be trusted, the data is taken from car manufacturers. In this case, you can choose not only oil for the engine, but also for the gearbox, power steering, brake system, and cooling system. That is, all liquids.
Oil filter
An important component in the lubrication system of any car. Motor oil lubricates rubbing parts, and the oil filter retains metal debris (crumbs, sawdust, dust, sand and other debris) and in this way cleans this oil.
When should you change the filter?
Each filter must be replaced along with changing the engine oil. They must be considered one mechanism and must also be serviced together. Recommendation for replacement every 10-15 thousand km or once a year.
Which filter should you choose?
For the Lada “Kopeyka” oil filters cost a reasonable amount of money. Below is a suggested list with filters that are suitable for a penny. Sorting from cheap to expensive. At the same time, the cheapest one costs a little more than $1, and the expensive BOSCH costs ~$3.
- Industrial business M-005
- LA OF 3102(920/21)
- Industrial business M-001
- Zollex Z-104
- WIX WL7067-12
- BOSCH 0 451 103 033
Oil selection table by season (winter, summer)
| Year | Viscosity SAE all season from +25 to -25 °C | winter from -35 to 0 °C | summer from 0 to +35 °C |
| 5W-20 10W-20 | 20W-20 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 10W-30 10W-20 | 20W-20 25W-20 |
| 5W-30 5W-20 10W-20 | 20W-20 25W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 10W-20 | 20W-30 20W-20 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 10W-20 10W-30 | 20W-20 25W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 10W-20 10W-30 | 20W-30 20W-20 25W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-30 5W-20 10W-20 | 20W-20 20W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-30 5W-20 10W-40 | 20W-20 20W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-30 5W-20 10W-40 | 20W-20 20W-30 20W-40 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 5W-30 10W-40 | 20W-30 20W-20 20W-40 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 5W-30 10W-30 10W-40 | 20W-30 20W-20 20W-40 25W-30 25W-20 |
| 5W-20 5W-30 10W-30 10W-40 | 20W-30 20W-20 20W-40 25W-30 |
| 5W-20 5W-30 10W-30 | 20W-30 20W-20 25W-30 |
| 5W-20 5W-30 10W-30 | 20W-30 20W-20 25W-30 |
Advantages and disadvantages
In the first years of operation, the 2101 engine revealed the following shortcomings:
- noisy operation of the chain drive;
- increased gasoline consumption in the engine due to defects in carburetors;
- frequent ignition adjustments;
- Difficult adjustment of valve clearances.
Solex carburetor
However, a cylinder head improved with a camshaft, an improved intake manifold and an exhaust manifold of the simplest design compensated for these shortcomings. A little later, DAAZ Ozone carburetors were developed, replacing which made it possible to improve the characteristics of internal combustion engine modes.
Carburetor Ozone
Recommended services for selecting automobile oils
If you already have preferences in the brand, then everything is even simpler. It is enough to go to any service for selecting automobile oils of the desired brand and the manufacturer will select the oil that will be compatible with your engine. The table contains the most popular brands and selection services from these brands. We go to any of the sites in the table and select the make, model of the car, engine and year of manufacture.
| Oil brand | Link to selection |
| LUKOIL | lukoil-masla.ru |
| Rosneft | rosneft-lubricants.ru |
| G-Energy | new.g-energy.org/ru |
| Gazpromneft | gazpromneft-oil.ru |
| GT OIL | gtoil.ru |
| Mobile | mobiloil.com.ru |
| SHELL | www.shell.com.ru |
| Motul | mymotul.ru |
| Castrol | applications.castrol.com |
| Kixx | kixxlube.ru |
| Lotos | lotosrf.ru |
| TOTAL | www.total-lub.ru |
| Liqui Moly | liquimoly.ru |
| Xado | xado.ru |
| ZIC | zicoil.ru |
| Valvoline | www.valvoline.com |
| TNK | www.tnk-oilcity.ru |
Design Features
Initially, at the design stage, a feature for the engine was the overhead camshaft:
- The piston stroke decreased by 5.5 mm compared to the Fiat 124 standard;
- the cylinder diameter increased by 3 mm.
This modernization ensured acceleration and rapid acceleration. In addition, the 2101 engine had the following design nuances:
- timing chain transmission;
- unfinished carburetor models;
- major overhaul after 20,000 km.
Valve train chain
Immediately after the release of the first internal combustion engine of this series, the manufacturer AvtoVAZ released a manual in which it indicated which oil to fill in the engine and provided a description of the internal combustion engine parameters to increase the service life of the engines. Thus, the owners of the next three generations of engines had no questions about what oil to pour and in what quantity.
Timing mechanism
Malfunctions: causes, elimination
Unlike motors with a timing belt drive, the 2101 valve bends much less frequently. The main malfunctions of the internal combustion engine are:
| Breaking | Cause | Elimination |
| Blue smoke | rupture of valve seals, bushings and cylinder head gaskets, wear of rings | replacement of consumables and seals |
| Engine overheating | Fan or thermostat failure | replacement of attachments |
| Oil consumption increases | leaks in valve covers, worn out pistons/cylinders | replacing gaskets, installing the next repair size of pistons and rings |
| Knock | crank bearings, connecting rod bearings, increasing valve clearance | replacement of consumables field of qualified diagnostics |
The speed limit of “kopecks” with 2101 engines was 145 km/h, and the car accelerated to “hundreds” in 18–20 seconds in a straight line.
Car VAZ 2101 Kopeyka
Description
The VAZ-2101 engine first saw the light of day in 1970. The prototype for its creation was the famous FIAT-124 internal combustion engine. But the VAZ-2101 was not a copy of it. There were noticeable differences even in the layout.
For example, the camshaft on the FIAT-124 had a lower location, and on the VAZ-2101 it was located on top of the cylinder head. There were noticeable discrepancies in the size of the cylinder diameters and the piston stroke.
The engine is a carburetor four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol with a volume of 1.2 liters and a power of 59 hp. s and a torque of 89 Nm.
Installed on Lada cars:
- 2101 (1970-1988);
- 2102 (1971-1986);
- 2103 (1972-1984);
- 2105 (1980-1983).
The cylinder block is cast iron, not lined.
The pistons are aluminum, with three rings, two of which are compression and one is oil scraper. The skirts are covered with tin.
The cylinder head is cast from aluminum. It is attached to the block with 11 bolts. The head cover is metal. The camshaft is made of high-strength cast iron, the cams are hardened to increase strength. There are no hydraulic compensators. The thermal clearance of the valves is adjusted manually.
A double-row roller chain is used as a timing drive.
The power system is standard for that time. Includes carburetor, fuel pump, connecting pipe. Initially, Solex carburetors were used, later they were replaced by more advanced Ozone.
The engine runs confidently on low-octane gasoline. By the way, it was developed for A-76 gasoline.
At the same time, short-term operation on the AI-95 does not cause significant harm to the engine. But in this case, ignition adjustment is necessary.
In general, the VAZ-2101 did not cause much trouble for car owners, but required constant attention.
Power steering (power steering)
For the VAZ 2101 (or as it is also called Lada, Zhiguli, Kopeika), the presence of power steering is in itself a high-class option. After all, on most cars there are simply no power steering systems. If you get your hands on a car with this auxiliary option, we congratulate you.
Power steering helps you turn the steering wheel along with the wheels, while you spend several times less force than a car without a power steering system.
There are marks on the power steering expansion tank by which you can understand whether the fluid level is currently high or, conversely, low and needs to be added. A quick inspection of the power steering system can solve many problems along the way, so look under the hood once a month.
What should you pay attention to?
- Monitoring the power steering fluid (oil) level and its color in the expansion tank;
- Checking the drive belt for the power steering pump;
- General condition of hoses (inspection for cracks, abrasions and chips);
- Hose connection points.
How to change
Changing the power steering fluid (oil) can be done in several ways, including partially changing the fluid and completely changing it. The first method is faster and easier, the second is better.
Partial replacement
Partial replacement of power steering fluid involves pumping fluid out of the power steering expansion tank using a large syringe or bulb. After the tank is completely empty, fill in fresh fluid to the maximum mark. Start the car and turn the steering wheel left/right. After a few minutes, turn off the engine and check the color of the power steering fluid. If it is too dark, repeat the procedure until the desired result.
Complete replacement
To replace the power steering fluid, remove the air duct and the reservoir with power steering fluid. Pour the old liquid from the barrel into another container. When draining, pay attention to the condition of the old oil and the presence of foreign metal particles. If they are noticeable, this may indicate wear on the pump. To completely drain the power steering, you can rotate the steering wheel left and right.
