Replacing the thermostat VAZ 2110 carburetor, injector 8/16 valves with your own hands

The thermostat is an integral element of the cooling system of the VAZ-2110, requiring careful care, performance monitoring and timely replacement.

In this article we will consider the following questions:

What is a thermostat, and what are the features of its operation?
What engines are installed on various modifications of the VAZ-2110?
How to recognize a device malfunction?
How to replace on injection and carburetor cars?
How to check performance, and what pitfalls are possible?
Should you do the work yourself or trust the professionals?

The information provided is sufficient to promptly identify the malfunction, decide on further actions and replace the failed device.

Purpose of the VAZ-2110 thermostat, design and principle of operation

Thermostat is a unit installed in the car’s cooling system that regulates the direction of coolant in a large and small circle (depending on the engine temperature).

The node performs two tasks:

Helps the engine warm up faster in cold weather;
Eliminates the risk of overheating.

Both functions are realized thanks to temperature control and the ability of the main valve to change its position (open or close under the action of the trigger element).

Structurally, the VAZ 2110 thermostat is a unit with a cylindrical cross-section and three, five or six outputs, depending on the design.

Main exits:

To the pump;
From the radiator;
From the engine.

The functionality of the device is ensured by the following elements:

Bypass valve;
Main valve and its spring;
Piston and its holder;
Heat sensitive composition;
Bypass valve spring.

Operating principle:

Inside the device there is a valve with a special substance inside, which expands (contracts) as the temperature increases (decreases).
When a certain temperature level is reached (80.6-81.5 degrees Celsius), the mentioned substance presses on the valve, gradually opens it and directs the flow of coolant through the outlet pipe to the radiator (large circle).

When 94 degrees Celsius is reached, the main valve opens to its maximum (about six millimeters), and the bypass valve closes.
At low temperatures, the thermostat bypass valve is in the open position (the main one is closed), and the coolant flows in a small circle (without the participation of the radiator). This ensures quick warm-up of the engine.

Read more about the principle of operation of the thermostat here.

A stuck or other valve malfunction can cause the following problems:

Overheating of the motor with the ensuing consequences;
Inability of the power unit to reach the required temperature (relevant in winter).

Which one is better to choose as a replacement?

Experts do not advise experimenting with analogues, but using those components that AvtoVAZ develops directly for the VAZ 2110 model.

Although the company recommends using another technique - setting the thermostat from the VAZ 2111 to “ten”. Here is the answer to the question which thermostat for the VAZ 2110 is better.

The advantages of using an element from the eleventh model are manifested in the following:

It is smaller in size;
One hose and two clamps are used, which reduces the likelihood of leaks;
The design of the product is compact and monoblock;
The reduced cross-section of the small circuit guarantees better circulation through the stove;
Relatively easy replacement.

What engines does the VAZ 2110 come with?

The VAZ-2110 car has been produced since 1996. At the same time, the power part gradually underwent changes:

21100 - base model produced in 1996-2000. The car was equipped with an engine with 8 valves and a volume of 1.5 liters (power 69 hp);
21101 is a model produced since 2004. Engine - injection, 1.6 liters, 8 valves;
21102 - 8-valve engine, 1.5 liters, injector;
21103 - 16-valve unit, 1.5 liters, injector.
21103 M - 16-valve engine, 1.5 liters, injector (produced since 2002);
21104 - 16-valve engine, 1.6 liters, injector;
21104M -16-valve engine, 1.6 liters, produced since 2004;
21106 GTI - 16-valve engine, 2.0 liters, 150 hp;
2110 “Premier” - 16-valve power unit, volume -1.5 liters;
2110 “Consul” - limousine, volume - 1.5 liters;
2110-91 - rotary piston engine, 1.3 liters.

Where is the thermostat installed on the VAZ-2110?

Regardless of the type of power unit, the thermostat is located in one place - below the air filter housing. There you can see the cover of the device, under which the required element is installed.

This simplifies the search and replacement of the thermostat on a VAZ 2110 of any modification.

Checking the thermoelement

To check, we need a container of clean water, a liquid thermometer and a gas (electric) stove or boiler. To test the thermocouple for functionality, place it in a container of cold water and start heating it. When the liquid is heated to 80.5-82 °C for a working device, the pusher should move forward. If this does not happen, then replacing the thermostat for your VAZ-2110 is a necessity.

Additionally, inspect the device body and its pipes. If everything is in order with them, you can only get by by purchasing a thermoelement.

How to recognize a malfunction?

The device changes in two cases:

The main valve does not open and does not allow coolant to circulate in a large circle. In such a situation, the engine quickly overheats, which can cause its failure. If nothing is done, the cylinder head gasket burns out, and due to the rise in temperature and expansion of the metal, the friction of the pistons against the cylinder walls increases.
The valve jammed and remained open all the time. With such a malfunction, the engine practically stops heating or gains operating temperature slowly. If this happens in winter, then replacing the thermostat is mandatory.

Thus, the signs of a broken thermostat valve are as follows:

Overheating of the power unit;
Slow increase in temperature, and when operating in difficult conditions - boiling of the coolant;
Increased fuel consumption.

As a rule, all these signs appear simultaneously.

READ ON THE TOPIC: Malfunctions of the VAZ 2110 and other cars of the series.

How to replace a temperature maintenance device

There is nothing difficult about replacing. Even a person who has little knowledge of cars can do the job after familiarizing himself with the basic steps. If you follow all the recommendations, you can replace the device in a few minutes. For work you will need.

Silicone sealant.
Clamps.
Pipes (if the old ones have become unusable and cracked).
Antifreeze.
Container for draining coolant.
Set of keys and screwdrivers.

Place the car on a level surface and remove the engine protection. When draining the liquid, it will interfere and you will lose a lot of antifreeze. Remember the main rule: do not carry out repairs on a hot engine. The temperature of the antifreeze sometimes reaches 100-120 °C, which can cause burns and serious damage to the skin.

Now place a container under the drain hole on the radiator. Open the stove tap just in case. You don't need to drain all the fluid, just make the level lower than the thermostat position. The second drain hole is located on the engine block and is unscrewed with a 13mm wrench. Replacing an old-style thermostat involves loosening all the clamps on it and removing them.

When installing a new device, it is advisable to lubricate the outer part, which will fit onto the pipes, with sealant. Just first you need to degrease the surface of both the body and the internal cavity of the tubes. Replacing the new thermostat is a little more complicated: there are slightly more pipes, you will have to unscrew two nuts from the engine block. Most often, the breakdown consists of a jammed thermal valve: it is either constantly open or closed.

Deposits and scale inside the housing directly indicate that it is time to clean the system. If it is such a “mess,” then the engine jacket is even worse. To get the job done, water with vinegar will come to your aid. If you do not want to use such a solution, you can purchase a special liquid in the store, the composition of which is less aggressive.

Replacing the thermostat on a VAZ-2110 with an injection 8-valve engine

To replace thermostats on an 8-valve VAZ-2110 engine (injector), proceed as follows:

Prepare your instrument. You will need a tee with tubes with a cross-section of 1.9 cm (not necessary to redo the connection diagram), a half-meter hose, a container (a plastic bottle will do), several clamps 2.5 cm in diameter (two or three pieces), a key to “ eight", screwdriver, hex wrench 5.
Purchase the necessary materials - gasket for the case, silicone-based sealant, thermostat, rags, antifreeze.
Read also: Which bulbs are better to put in the low beam of the VAZ-2114
Unscrew the bolts holding the filter shell.
Loosen the clamps on the throttle pipe and crankcase ventilation hoses, and then tighten the throttle cable fixing bolt.
Separate the electrical connector.
Remove the rubber cushion from the hole in the housing bracket, and then remove the air filter.
Tighten the bolts on the clutch housing and cylinder block, and then remove the ignition module. The described action is necessary to gain access to the coolant drain plug.
Unscrew the drain plug on the radiator and cooling system block, and then drain the coolant.
Loosen the clamps on the thermostat pipes, remove the device and twist the temperature control sensor. Here, remove the controller connector.
If the design allows you to replace the main valve, then use a hex wrench to disassemble the thermostat and replace it.
Install the new device and connect the pipes to the same places. If possible, replace the hose with a longer one.

Wipe the pipes and housing terminals with a rag, change the gasket between the housing and the motor and tighten the clamps. Add antifreeze and check the system for leaks. After 10-20 kilometers, inspect the joints again.

Removing the thermostat

To remove the device, you need to completely or partially drain the coolant. After this, it is necessary to dismantle the air filter housing and disconnect the hoses from the thermostat pipes. Next, you should unscrew the three bolts that secure the device body to the cylinder head.

When the unit is dismantled, unscrew the screws securing the thermostat cover and remove the thermocouple.

How to change the thermostat on a VAZ-2110 with an injection 16-valve engine?

When replacing a faulty device with a 2110 with a 16-valve engine, the required tool and algorithm of actions remain virtually unchanged:

Drain the coolant from the system;
Remove the air filter;
Loosen the fixation of the water pipes (inlet and outlet) connected to the thermostat;
Tighten the bolts holding the device to the block.
Remove the cover (if necessary);
Remove the main valve from the casing;
Return everything to its place in reverse order. Be sure to change the rubber used to seal the case.

How to change the thermostat on a VAZ-2110 with a carburetor 8-valve engine?

If the thermostat fails on a “ten” with a carburetor and an 8-valve power unit, the algorithm remains unchanged:

Prepare the tool (described above);
Drain the coolant (optional), if you drain it, do not forget to open the expansion tank cap;
Discard the three pipes that fit the device body (first loosen the broach using a hexagon);
Loosen the clamp and remove the thermostat with the hose.

Otherwise, the actions remain similar to those described for the injection 8-valve engine.

Which one is better to choose as a replacement?

Experts do not advise experimenting with analogues, but using those components that AvtoVAZ develops directly for the VAZ 2110 model.

Although the company recommends using another technique - setting the thermostat from the VAZ 2111 to “ten”. Here is the answer to the question which thermostat for the VAZ 2110 is better.

The advantages of using an element from the eleventh model are manifested in the following:

It is smaller in size;
One hose and two clamps are used, which reduces the likelihood of leaks;
The design of the product is compact and monoblock;
The reduced cross-section of the small circuit guarantees better circulation through the stove;
Relatively easy replacement.

How to check if the thermostat on a VAZ-2110 is working or not?

Before replacing the device, make sure it is faulty.

We highlight the following options:

By heating (without removal).

Let the car cool down after the trip, grab the lower pipe and ask an assistant to start the engine.

The temperature of the pipe should gradually increase (after 2-3 minutes it becomes warm). If this happens, then the thermostat is intact.

Read more about how to check the thermostat without removing it from the car on this page.

According to the condition of the thermoelement (with dismantling).

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

Dismantle the thermostat and remove the starting element from it;
Take water into a metal container, install a thermometer in it (the one for measuring water temperature), and heat the liquid to 94 degrees Celsius. If the thermostat is working properly, then a special rod extends from the starting unit (it should begin to move already at 82-84 degrees Celsius). If there is no reaction, there is no need to change the entire device - just purchase a new heat-sensitive element and replace it. New thermostats are checked in the same way.
By appearance. Inspect the condition of the device. If there are chips or cracks on the case, then do not save money on the purchase. Such a device is likely to fail soon.

Be careful when purchasing a new thermostat.

Do the following:

Carry out the experiment with it described in point 2. If, when reaching 80-85 degrees Celsius, the rod does not begin to extend, then the device is faulty.
Inspect the condition of the unit for mechanical damage.

Verification methods

There are several ways to check the VAZ 21102 thermostat, in particular:

check without removal;
checking a removed thermostat

To check without dismantling, start the engine and wait until it reaches operating temperature. Next, grab the lower pipe with your hand (it comes from the thermostat). At first, the pipe should be warm, and after a few minutes it should gain temperature. If the lower pipe is cold and the coolant temperature approaches 100-110 degrees, then the thermostat is not working and needs to be replaced.

There is also a simple and working way to check the thermostat removed from the engine. Heat the water to 80 degrees and lower the thermostat into it. Next, heat the water another 10 degrees and watch the thermostat; the valve stem should gradually come out.

It is not advisable to repair the VAZ 2112 thermostat due to the low cost of a new spare part.

What pitfalls are possible during the installation process?

To avoid problems during the part replacement process, consider the following:
Allow the engine to cool before starting work;
It is not necessary to completely drain the coolant (but it is better to do so);
Before replacing, make sure that the problem is in the thermostat (use the recommendations above);
During the assembly process, change the clamps, since the old ones are unlikely to withstand repeated broaching;
Install a new gasket between the body and body (even if it looks fine);
The old pipe between the expansion tank and the thermostat may be short, so buy a new one. The best option is to buy a pipe for 2211 (it fits perfectly).

Tips before starting the procedure

Before you begin removing the thermostat on a VAZ 2112, be sure to ensure that it has completely cooled down after operation.
The thermostat is removed when it is replaced due to unstable engine temperature conditions (overheating, insufficient heating). To carry out this procedure, completely draining the coolant is not necessary.
To check the condition of the thermostat, start the car engine and touch the lower radiator hose, at first it should remain cold, and only after the coolant temperature reaches about 90 degrees, the hose will begin to gradually heat up. If there is no such reaction to the manipulations performed, remove the thermostat from the car and check its functionality; if defects are detected, it must be replaced with a new one.

This is interesting: How to check glow plugs without removing

New and old VAZ-2110 thermostats: installation features and differences

The type of thermostat used on the VAZ-2110 depends on the year of manufacture of the vehicle.

Initially, the same devices were installed as on the “eights” and “nines”, but due to low efficiency and frequent breakdowns they had to be replaced.

The main differences of the new design (5-hole thermostat) are the ability to disassemble and replace only the starting (heat-sensitive) element.

On older machines, the device was connected to the motor block using a short pipe.

In new models, fixation is carried out using a pair of studs. In this case, between the thermostat and the power unit there is a paronite gasket, which can be treated with silicone-based sealant (this procedure is not always necessary).

After 2003, 5-hole thermostats gradually changed to 6-hole ones.

According to the manufacturers, they are stable and provide better performance in extreme cold.

Advantages of the new device:

Stable coolant temperature;
No malfunctions in the heater operation;
Greater work resource.

After installing a 6-hole thermostat, the engine easily reaches operating temperature at 20-30 degrees below zero, even with the heater on.

You also need to know that the bypass channels in 5 and 6 hole thermostats are different. In the first it is 16 mm, and in the six hole it is 11 mm.

This affects the fact that the circulating antifreeze through the bypass channel of 11 mm in a small circle flows faster than through the channel of 16 mm, which means that the flow (volume) of coolant through the stove increases, so it will be warmer inside the car.

The device is installed in two ways:

Classic;
Alternative.

In the first and second cases, to complete the work you will need three liters of antifreeze, a gasket for the thermostat, filler and supply hoses, as well as a new thermostat.

In addition, stock up on 15-28 mm clamps (5-6 pieces will be required).

To avoid spilling coolant during installation, remove the pipe from the throttle assembly (going to the saxophone) and gradually drain the antifreeze until the leak stops. After that, continue working.

Replacement

After buying the car, I immediately noticed that it took a long time to warm up, but the fan turned on as expected and on the highway the temperature did not drop below 80 degrees. A couple of days ago I noticed that even in city conditions the temperature somehow reached 90 degrees (that is, its normal operating temperature), and after I left the city, it did not rise above 70 at all. Consequently, there will be greater fuel consumption and, in general, poor engine operation.

The thermostat costs a new model, after looking on the Internet, some people change the thermoelement itself (probably that’s what it’s called), some buy it complete with a cover. In the store, the thermoelement cost 250 rubles, and together with the lid, 360 rubles, both from Hofer. The difference of 110 rubles is small, so I bought it right away with a lid.

To replace it, we will need to drain the antifreeze; I did not drain it from the block and radiator. I just made this device

In order not to pour a little bit into jars. I drained the required amount of antifreeze, unscrewed three hexagon screws (number 5), (it’s good that I took the rubber sealing ring along with the cover on the old one, which had already become unusable), then cleaned the thermostat housing and pipe from excess sealant,

Full size

I replaced the grommet washers with new ones, coated the edges of the lid with sealant to ensure reliability,

The pipes were also sealed with sealant. Before installing, I tested the thermostat with boiling water to see if it opens at all. At the end, I poured back the old antifreeze (in about a week I plan to flush the system, replace the antifreeze and some pipes). The sealant I used was Autosil, in my opinion one of the best sealants.

What are the features of the classic and alternative connection options?

In the first case:

The main thermostat valve is flushed with coolant from the main radiator and engine;
The thermostat opens for additional cooling - in this case, there is control not only over the entire coolant temperature in the system, but also over the temperature of the coolant leaving directly from the engine, and this, as is known, is the hottest place in the cooling system.

The standard connection diagram for a six-hole thermostat will look like this.

Connection example.

In the second case:

The thermostat is additionally washed with coolant from the heater and bypass.
The device controls the temperature, which is lower than the motor temperature (from the thermostat output or from the bypass). It turns out that in winter such a thermostat will work later than according to the classic connection scheme. The functioning of the stove also improves, which works more actively the lower the temperature outside.

The alternative connection diagram has two options.

As for the speed of warming up the engine, it remains unchanged, because the path of coolant flow until it reaches 82 degrees Celsius has not changed, as has the heat capacity of the system.

How to Install a New Thermostat

If the best device for the VAZ-2110 has already been purchased, it’s time to start installation, especially since you can carry out the procedure yourself. You will need:

gasket former - cost about 300 rubles;
Cooling system cleaner – 150 rubles;
pipes going to the stove radiator - 230 rubles;
thermostat (in our case it’s Pramo) – 12,000 rubles;
green antifreeze with a volume of 10 liters - up to 900 rubles;
hairpin M8 at 70 m.

First you need to drain the used antifreeze. Place a 7-liter container under the drain hole and wait until the liquid is completely drained into the container. After this, you should clean the cooling system; for this it is best to use a special cleaning agent. Acids, soda and vinegar do not give such a good result, and lactic acid can ruin the internal parts of the car.