Installing a radiator mesh on Lada Vesta. Recommendations for selection and installation

December 16, 2015 Lada.Online 78 187 3

Anyone who has owned a car for a long time knows that it is cheaper to prevent a breakdown than to fork out money for repairs. An example is the engine radiator, which is located at the front of the car. On the Lada Vesta, the standard radiator grille is a mesh with large honeycombs, which is not capable of protecting the radiator from stones, dirt and midges. Let's find out how best to improve it.

The Vesta radiator grille consists of two parts:

1. top grill;
2. bottom grille.

Available methods of radiator protection:

1. Replace the factory radiator grille with a tuning one, with smaller honeycombs;
2. Install the protective cover over the standard grille;
3. Install a fine metal mesh on the inside of the grill.

In this article we will focus on the last option. That is, you need to buy a metal mesh (price about 200 rubles), cut out the required piece and attach it to plastic clamps on the back side of the plastic grid.

Lada Vesta car owners often encounter...

...with the problem of damage to the radiator of the cooling system. The reason is not the quality of the radiator, but the imperfect design of the upper and lower grilles. Often, at speed, stones, gravel, and crushed stones fly into the engine compartment, thereby damaging the elements of the cooling system.

There are three ways to deal with manufacturing defects:

• install a branded, non-standard Lada Vesta radiator mesh;
• install a homemade structure;
• install universal protection.

The owner of a Lada Vesta chooses the most optimal option for himself, based on his budget and availability of free time. If you are not physically able to install the protection yourself, contact a service station specialist for help.

Radiator hazard

Vesta's radiator grille is distinguished by large slots into which a stone or piece of ice can fly. Such a hit can be critical for the radiator, because the component is not particularly strong. The same applies to the air intake.

Naturally, all this forces many Vesta owners to install protection made of metal mesh, which covers the slots and is able to repel the impact of stones and other debris. In addition, the mesh is fine, which means that insects and other small debris will not settle on the radiator.

An example of what can happen to a radiator if a stone hits it.

Ready-made or homemade protection?

Branded

The mesh is sold in car dealerships, online and at car markets. Installation is carried out from the front side of the grille. The design is represented by four lattices:

• top;
• bottom;
• for the left air intake;
• for the right air intake.

The main material is aluminum, which has high strength and ventilation. The edging is made of ABS polymer.

Homemade

The mesh is made from available materials. Installation is carried out from the back of the bumper with fixation using plastic clips and self-tapping screws. Aluminum is used as the main material, the shape of the structure is rectangular.

Related link:

Test drive Lada Vesta Sport - all the features of the new product

Parameters: cell size from 10 to 15 mm.

Universal type

Installation is carried out from the back of the bumper with fixation using plastic clips or a metal mount. The edging is made around the perimeter from a polymer material.

The required shape is cut out yourself, since the mesh is sold in a standard size of 100 x 100 cm.

Installing proprietary protection

When purchasing an original accessory, installation instructions are included in the kit. If necessary, read the regulations.

The main advantage of the “original” is that there is no need to dismantle the front bumper, which saves time, effort and money.

Installation work is carried out at external temperatures above +10°. The top, middle, bottom are attached in different ways:

• top – on plastic latches (clips);
• middle and bottom - using screw fasteners.

Installation is carried out slowly, carefully, so as not to damage the main perimeter of the radiator grille (hereinafter referred to as RR). The top is installed in the left-to-right direction.

The middle and bottom are installed by analogy, first making holes with an awl for screwing in the self-tapping screw. Then the structure is fixed.

Installing homemade protection

Required materials and tools:

• keys, knobs for “10”, “12”;
• Phillips head screwdriver;
• rags;
• flashlight to increase visibility;
• plastic clamps in the amount of 2 pieces.

Related link:

Suspension device of Lada Vesta.

Dressing the car for winter

In winter, in the northern expanses, severe Siberian frosts, the car eats gasoline more actively and freezes faster than you want. It is advisable to insulate the car for winter to feel more comfortable. Attempts to insert a cardboard do not go well; you cannot insert a cardboard into a Lada vesta, and to cover it on top is a “collective farm”. We have to turn to ready-made insulation solutions.

Insulation from YarPlast code: VS-ZIM-Z

lower price: from 550 rub. The top one will cost from 890 rubles.

The winter radiator protection is made of strong black plastic; it fits into the interior of the Lada Vesta and does not disturb the harmony. The engine temperature rises quickly, it cools down more slowly - it uses gasoline more economically. This insulation, like summer insulation, consists of two parts: for the grille and the air intake. When it thaws, it is better to remove the top part if you do not want to drive in the fan. There shouldn't be any problems installing this device; it's fastened with clips and standard bolts. It is recommended to apply adhesive tape or insulating tape to the bumper in the place where the lower part of the shield may come into contact, stripping off the paint.

How to install a protection grid

Step by step guide:

1. We place the car over the inspection channel, open the hood, remove the engine sump protection and license plate.
2. We gradually unscrew the fasteners of the upper, middle, and lower contours.
3. We remove the headlight units from the seat.
4. Then we move on to the wheel arches and unscrew the bolts.
5. After the front bumper is completely freed from the fasteners, dismantle it.
6. Let's start making the protection. We apply a metal mesh on the back side and draw the outline with chalk. We cut out the trim to the shape we need, not forgetting the holes for the screws.
7. We unscrew the bolts, remove the standard mount, apply the mesh, and screw it on.
8. On the left and right in the central part we fix the cover with plastic clamps, since the design does not provide holes for self-tapping screws.

Installation is complete, let's start installing the front bumper in its original place.

Grill installation

Installation of plastic products requires adherence to technology and accuracy. The process is long and labor-intensive. An assistant will be required to complete the work.

Algorithm of actions

1. Remove the bumper and place it on a soft surface to prevent damage;
2. Remove the six retaining bolts. In the upper part, remove the small bolts - six pieces, the large bolt in the center of the oval;
3. Remove the grille, do not forget about the plastic latches;
4. Install the mount on the new element;
5. Use two bolts to connect the new plastic grille to the inside;
6. Attach the resulting structure to the main part;
7. Secure with the six removed bolts;
8. Install four small bolts, the large bolt in the middle.

Conclusion

The process of installing a mesh on the radiator grill of a Lada Vesta is not complicated; the task is doable even without experience in servicing equipment. It is necessary to strictly follow the regulations and avoid mistakes.

As for the modification of the protection and the method of its manufacture, this is a “personal matter.” The car owner takes into account the cost of the accessory, budget, and availability of free time.

Obviously, purchasing a ready-made kit with subsequent installation will significantly simplify the process. But not all drivers agree with the high cost of the kit.

A homemade protective mesh costs several times less, but does not always meet the established quality. The choice is up to the vehicle owner.

Total

Insulation of the front end has a positive effect on fuel consumption, throttle response and heat generation of the cabin heater. A sober approach to the issue consists of three steps:

• -10°C – close bottom.
• -20°C – cover the top 75%.
• -25°C – limit air cooling to 100%.

Wide windows in the radiator grille allow you to install plugs in each of them. Material – isolon or a travel mat of a suitable color. Flex tubes will help you quickly resolve the issue, and patterns for covers made of dermantine or raincoat fabric will help you master the creation of barriers.

Reviews

There are still disputes among motorists...

... regarding the advisability of insulating the engine compartment in winter.
Many drivers are guided by the climatic features of the region in which the vehicle is operated. If the average temperature does not exceed -15°, then the winter grille does not need to be installed. When the temperature drops below, insulation is mandatory.

Also, installation of a “winter plug” is necessary in case of long trips on country roads, when temperature changes are possible literally at every kilometer.

Insulating the radiator for the winter is an individual choice of the driver. Analyze the mode of use of the car and make a decision.

Removing and installing the rear bumper

To dismantle the rear bumper on a Lada Vesta, you need to:

1. unscrew all the bolts holding the rear lights and remove them;
2. look under the bottom and, finding 2 bolts on the sides and the same number in the middle, unscrew them too;
3. Unscrew 3 bolts of the lower bumper mounting, located on each side of the car in the wheel recesses;
4. inspect the rear bumper from above with the trunk open and, seeing 7 screws, unscrew them (don’t be confused by the fact that the appearance of two of them is slightly different from the rest - these are just rubber buffers that can be easily removed);
5. Unscrew the two bolts located near the right and left rear lights of the car, respectively;
6. when all the fastenings of the Lada with the body are removed and the final stage begins, at which the rear bumper is directly removed, to carry out this operation, you should make sure that the car bumper is completely removed from the brackets located on the sides;
7. disconnect the wires, parking sensor, fog lamp, car bumper wiring harness.

Installing the Vesta rear buffer back occurs in the same way, but in reverse order. All of the indicated manipulations in preparation for removing one of the car bumpers and unscrewing the fasteners are described for the standard factory equipment of Vesta.

Installing the hood seal

The rubber band from the factory is installed only in the center, and there is nothing at the edges. Why couldn't it be done around the entire perimeter? The car would cost 500 rubles more, but it would be clean under the hood!

Let's glue some 2mm construction sealant here.

But first we degrease the surface with a special degreaser, and then warm it up. After that, everything is easily glued and looks like this.

There is nothing complicated, just take it and glue it. The main thing is to degrease thoroughly. The result is great. After this, it will be much cleaner under the hood. We will put all minor issues in order.

Salon with a C grade

Sitting in the driver’s seat, I immediately noticed one unpleasant detail: on the Lada Vesta, the speedometer and other instruments have an overly inclined upper contour of the “wells,” which is why, given my height of 185 cm, the view of the upper numbers of the scales is blocked. At the same time, the steering wheel, which seemed to me a little larger than I would have liked, does not interfere with the view of the dashboard at all. How could such a miscalculation be made when designing the design of the tidy?

I can’t say anything critical about the landing. Sitting in Vesta is quite comfortable and convenient, especially considering the class of the car. I also confirm the numerous positive reviews about free space - there is more than enough of it, again adjusted for B-class. There are no complaints about visibility, the road is clearly visible, and the mirrors leave a minimum of blind spots.

Now let's move on to the cons. The first thing I will notice is the appearance of the smell after the sedan has been standing for a long time under the scorching sun. It is absolutely impossible to drive without ventilation, so you will have to open the windows, since the standard air conditioner in extreme heat copes with its duties slowly, slowly cooling the air and filtering it even more slowly. Open windows inevitably lead to the ingress of dust, and here the next negative “hero” enters the arena - the relief of the front panel, which with great pleasure will collect kilograms of dust on numerous protrusions, recesses, “ribs” and other design features. In general, it will take a long time to wash the Vesta’s interior; it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to quickly wipe off the dust.

If we talk about the quality of materials and the fit of finishing parts, then AvtoVAZ’s craftsmen can give a four for fit, but the materials get a two plus, no more. But here, as they say, there is no time for luxury, a budget car is just a budget car in order to save on something. VAZ decided to save on interior finishing materials and in general I support their decision, since it is better to feel hard plastic in the cabin than the rigidity of a “wooden” suspension.