Replacing a radiator on a Niva Chevrolet

The radiator provides cooling of the liquid, which circulates in a large circle. Heat transfer occurs when antifreeze or antifreeze passes through its tubes, which come into contact with air.

Additionally, two fans blow over the engine, each of which turns on at a certain temperature.

On the Niva Chevrolet, the radiator is installed in the front part of the engine compartment; the designers have provided good access for its replacement.

Before dismantling, you need to make sure that the radiator is broken.

When to replace a Chevrolet Niva radiator

Replacing the cooling system or its individual components is usually required due to wear or mechanical damage. Among the most common complaints when contacting a service station, the following points stand out.

Using low-quality antifreeze or pouring water into the system. The main property of coolants is the protection of metal parts from corrosion and rust formation. When water is used in a radiator, strong carbon deposits or oxides form inside the lines, which can clog thin tubes. In case of mild damage, repair is limited to sealing one part of the system.
Mechanical damage. The main radiator is located at the front of the car and is covered with a thin grille. Due to poor protection when traveling off-road or on country roads, the element can be damaged by a stray stone or foreign objects entering the radiator grille. At the same time, a small force is enough to cause serious damage - the thinnest plates are easily crushed, which leads to loss of heat transfer and overheating of the system.
Natural wear and tear. During active use, the radiator is subject to constant temperature changes, which affects the condition of the metals. Additionally, the presence of increased pressure inside the lines after starting the machine is harmful. Such vibrations lead to cracking of tubes, fasteners or cooling plates.

The above cases apply not only to the main radiator; problems also arise with the elements of the stove and air conditioner.

Advantages and disadvantages

The design of the Chevrolet Niva stove is considered successful, since in principle it is similar to the design of the heating system of many foreign cars that are not equipped with air conditioning. In this regard, a number of advantages of such a scheme can be identified.

Quick heating of the interior. Now there is no need to wait for the thermostat to open. The air becomes warm as soon as the coolant begins to heat up.
Possibility of engine cooling through the heater radiator. A very common failure in the cooling system is a stuck thermostat. And if a thermostat stuck in the open position does not interfere with getting to the service station, then it is impossible to move the car with the cooling radiator closed. By turning on the heater, you can remove some of the heat and cool the engine somewhat.
The recirculation mode helps to quickly heat the interior or temporarily stop the penetration of outside air.

The heating system is not without its shortcomings, which clearly manifest themselves.

The complex system of damper levers often leads to jamming. Some dampers become difficult to adjust over time.
Leaky duct joints result in loss of airflow. Considering the high noise level of the heater motor, the speed of the air flow entering the cabin through the deflectors is extremely low.
Almost the entire system is located inside the car, so repair work has to be carried out in limited space.

Do-it-yourself replacement of a Niva Chevrolet radiator with and without air conditioning

If you need to replace units, you can contact a service station or a qualified technician for help. Other users prefer to perform all procedures themselves. This is possible due to the fact that replacing a Chevrolet Niva radiator pipe or the cooler itself does not require specialized tools or deep knowledge of mechanics.

Chevrolet Niva heater radiator replacement: necessary tool

To completely replace the device, you will need to prepare the necessary tools in advance.

A set of open-end and ring wrenches, possibly heads with a knob.
A canister of coolant of the type that was previously used in the machine system. The standard system uses 5 liters of antifreeze with a class of at least G12.
One liter canister of power steering fluid.
5-6 metal clamps of the appropriate diameter, you can use plastic ones.
A set of containers where the old antifreeze will be drained, and a funnel to make it easier to fill in the new coolant.
Silicone sealant is resistant to high temperatures.
Set of screwdrivers of different sizes.
Several clean rags and gloves.

After preparing everything you need, you can begin repairing the car.

Replacing a Niva Chevrolet radiator without air conditioning: sequence of actions

The sequence of actions for cars with and without air conditioning is slightly different. Further instructions are relevant for the more common modification, which uses a conventional stove.

Drive the car onto an overpass or inspection hole. After this, wait the certain time necessary for the engine to cool completely. This is required because the antifreeze gets very hot during operation and performing a hot repair procedure can lead to serious burns or damage to vehicle components.
Place wheel chocks under the wheels, raise the handbrake lever and engage the gear. During manipulations, the car will constantly twitch - unnecessary movements will not bring anything good.
Open the hood and disconnect the terminals from the battery - the need is caused by tampering with the electrical part of the car.
If necessary, remove the crankcase protection and outer plastic (if any) - this will facilitate access to the required fasteners and components.
Treat all bolted connections with a liquid wrench or similar means to facilitate their unscrewing. In this case, you should not use a hammer or chisel - an entrenching tool can only cause harm - only keys will be used here.
The next stage is disassembling the decorative radiator grille. The body part is removed using a Phillips screwdriver and a No. 10 socket.
Next, two mudguards under the engine are removed. Dismantling can also be done with keys or a screwdriver.
After opening access to all systems, the antifreeze is drained. To do this, you will need to fully open the valve of the stove and auxiliary devices where the coolant flows. After identifying the tap, you should wear protective gloves and goggles - the formula in the radiator is toxic and can cause severe poisoning if it gets into the stomach or eyes. Next, you will need to unscrew the top cap of the expansion tank to facilitate fluid drainage. The next step is to crawl under the car and find the drain valve on the left side of the radiator and open it. You will first need to place a canister or container under the used product (the capacity must be at least 5 liters). After this, the used antifreeze is disposed of appropriately.
Wait until the refrigerant has completely drained and tighten the valve until it stops.
Then, to replace the Niva Chevrolet cooling radiator, you should again rise above the car and remove the air filter box. The fasteners are made in the form of 4 bolts with No. 10 heads.
Next, unscrew the pipes entering and exiting the radiator. The lines are secured with metal clamps and loosened with a Phillips screwdriver.
Next, remove the top cover of the power steering expansion tank.
Disconnect the pipes coming from the power steering to the cooling system, first placing an empty container under the connections for testing.
Similarly, disconnect the lower hoses using one sequence of actions.
The next step is to disconnect the radiator itself. The part is secured with 5 bolts, one of which is screwed in through a special bracket; it can also be disassembled.
Drain the remaining antifreeze from the radiator (there will be about one liter).
Next, you need to disconnect the contact groups of the horn and radiator fans. If this is not done, the wiring will interfere with dismantling.
Remove the horn using screwdrivers and wrenches.
After this, you need to disconnect the line on the thermostat, leaving the latter on the tube along with the engine.
Repairs are ongoing by removing the fly catcher and small stones. The part is placed directly in front of the radiator and secured with 4 bolts and nuts.
Next, remove the part holders and move the upper part of the radiator forward in the direction of travel of the car.
Next, unscrew and tighten the pressure line hoses, this is also done carefully; there may be some antifreeze residue inside.
To continue dismantling, you need to separate the radiator body from the fan module. To do this, unscrew 6 screws. The first 4 are located in the upper part, the lower two require a special approach and are located at the bottom of the unit.
After all the manipulations, the modules are separated and the coolers are lifted up.
Next, the lower pipe is removed and the air trap is bent. The last element is covered by a bumper, so it will also need to be unscrewed.
After completing all the steps, the old radiator is completely removed from the engine compartment along with the support rubber bands and pads (they may come in handy).
Reassembly is performed in the reverse order, adding antifreeze. After complete installation of the system, the motor warms up and the coolant is added if necessary.
Replacement of the Niva Chevrolet cooling radiator without air conditioning has been completed.

Preparation.

First you need to make sure that the problem is a faulty radiator. In some cases, coolant leaks may be due to burst pipes. If there is no visible damage and only traces of antifreeze indicate a leak, you can try washing it. But this does not apply to cases where there is obvious damage; in this case, urgent replacement is required.

Before starting work, you need to make sure you have WD-40 fluid to unscrew rusted bolts, and you also need to have a container with a volume of at least 5 liters to drain the used coolant. During operation, you will also need to drain the used fluid from the power steering.

Replacing the Chevrolet Niva heater radiator

The specified sequence of actions is relevant for car models without an air conditioning system.

Completely dismantle the glove box along with its lighting and brackets. To do this, you will also need to disconnect the side trim elements of the interior.
Drain the antifreeze from the car's cooling system.
Loosen the connections of the pipes and tighten them. In this case, antifreeze will flow from the channels - you need to substitute a piece of plastic bottle or a tray in advance.
Next, unscrew the heat exchanger screws and pull the part towards you until it stops.
Interfering structural elements can be removed or, for plastic elements, bitten off with tongs.
After which the part will freely leave the seat.

Installation of a new device is carried out in the reverse order, fully observing the instructions and sequence of actions.

Relay for starting the fan

The spare block may contain not only the fuses themselves, but also electromagnetic relays. They control the operation of the engine cooling system, the circuits of which are powered by the ignition switch of the on-board computer. The current comes from the battery through the fuses themselves.

The relay operates as follows: at the very beginning, voltage is applied to the output, as a result an electromagnetic field is formed by passing current through the inductive coil. Subsequently, the current passing through the relay starts the engine. If the voltage is removed, the contacts will open due to the spring that is present in the mechanism, and the fan itself will stop.

There are several ways to check the operation of the relay. The simplest method is to replace the relay with the same working one and check the condition of the system. Turn off the engine, then disconnect the temperature sensor connector, after which you will hear a characteristic click of the relay. Then you need to remove and test the output contacts using multimeters, constantly applying voltage to the output. From the temperature sensor, information is supplied to the unit switching device.

The temperature sensor itself is a resistor, the values of which vary in a variable temperature range: from 1.3-1.8 Ohms at 30°C to 155-196 Ohms at 90°C. To give an accurate assessment of its performance, use a thermometer and an ohmmeter, calculating the resistance at different temperatures. To check, the part is removed and then immersed in an aqueous environment. The sensor can be found near the main exhaust system. It is dismantled using a spanner.

Replacement radiator Niva Chevrolet price

The cost of such car repairs in different regions can vary significantly. For example, in Moscow, replacing a radiator will cost at least 5,000-8,000 rubles. At the same time, in the Rostov region, the procedure can be performed for 3-4 thousand rubles. At the same time, the cost of repairs may also vary among different specialists located in the same city.

Also, the cost of replacing a Niva Chevrolet radiator greatly depends on the vehicle’s equipment and additional factors such as the abundance of rust or dirt under the hood. For example, the difference between the simplest and most sophisticated versions can reach 1,500 rubles.

Only the master performing the operation can give the exact price tag.

Comparison of manufacturers

In stores you can find spare parts produced by several companies. Products differ in two parameters: price and workmanship. Let's look at a few of the most popular brands.

Hola is a trademark of the Dutch company H&H Group. 15 European factories produce radiators, belts, shock absorbers and other auto parts. Inexpensive products of this brand are of good quality. According to customer reviews, spare parts of this brand at a comparable price are superior in quality to Chinese products. Price - 2000 rubles.

DAAZ - Dmitrov Automotive Assembly Plant, part of the United Automotive Technologies concern, was founded back in 1967. In addition to radiators, the company produces filters, brake pads and other spare parts for Russian and foreign cars. The products of this brand are used in cars that come off the AvtoVAZ assembly line. Price - 2500 rubles.

Luzar is a Russian company that was founded in 2003 on the basis of the Lugansk Radiator Plant. Products of this brand comply with GOST-R and the manufacturer gives them a 2-year warranty. Price - from 2100 rubles.

Bautler is a British company that produces, among other things, spare parts for the Chevrolet Niva. Price - from 2200 rubles.

Reviews from car owners vary. Some consider DAAZ radiators to be the most reliable, others consider Bautler, Hola or Luzar.

Taking into account the fact that replacing a part takes a lot of time and effort, it is worth taking the sports version of Luzar. It is designed to withstand heavy loads and is therefore more reliable.

Hola products are distinguished by the fact that each tube has its own rubber seal, rather than being fixed with a single seal. In Luzar-Sport, the honeycomb is soldered to a base that is attached to the tanks.

The principle of fluid circulation in the VAZ-2123 system

The circulation of antifreeze or antifreeze in the Chevy Niva cooling system occurs in two circles - small and large. In the first case, the liquid moves bypassing the radiator, since it does not need additional cooling and the outside air temperature is sufficient for it to effectively absorb heat from the engine. The tolerance for the heating level of the liquid in this case is about 78 degrees Celsius.

The standard pressure level is 1-1.2 atmospheres, and when the liquid is heated, its excess is “bleeded off” through a special valve. It is located on the expansion tank, which can be further adjusted.

If heating occurs above 80 degrees, liquid circulation begins in a large circle, involving the radiator in cooling. The direction of liquid movement in one of the circles is regulated by a thermostat, which reacts to an increase in the temperature of the liquid in the system, opening and closing if necessary. In this case, circulation is provided by a water pump, which is driven by the crankshaft through a special V-ribbed belt.

Cooling of the cylinder head and block occurs due to a special “jacket” with coolant, which picks up heat and then enters the radiator, where its temperature decreases. To ensure complete tightness of the system and prevent fluid leakage, a gasket and seal are provided. The first ensures tightness on the side of the cylinder block, and the second prevents leakage at the point where the shaft enters the pump housing.

When the liquid circulates in a large circle, it is cooled by the radiator honeycombs, which are blown by the air flow. In most cases, this is quite enough to provide the necessary heat transfer. However, in the hot season or in traffic jams at low speeds, the temperature of the antifreeze increases significantly, until the liquid completely boils.

In this case, the heating is regulated by forcibly turning on the fans, which are attached to the radiator housing from the outside. The factory design provides for the presence of two such elements at once, which are activated independently of each other. The first is when the liquid is heated to 98 degrees, the second - to 102.

The efficiency of the fans is guaranteed only if the temperature sensor inside the radiator is working properly, the readings of which serve as the reason for starting the active air cooling system. In this case, the normal operating temperature of the liquid is considered to be from 80 to 95 degrees.

What tools will you need?

To change the Chevrolet Niva heater tap yourself, you will need:

How to remove the evaporator and fan

Let's look at how to remove the heater control unit on a Chevy Niva. This procedure is performed through the glove compartment. You will need to disconnect the negative on the battery according to the following diagram:

the dashboard is removed;
the connector is disconnected;
the heater housing rotates;
The device is being checked.

How to remove a radiator

To prevent antifreeze from leaking onto the floor, use plastic film, otherwise the floor will be covered with antifreeze.

It is recommended to first remove the heat exchanger and tighten the pipe. To complete the procedure, loosen the clamps. Then they are unscrewed and removed.

Device

The part has a classic design, typical of modern passenger cars: two tanks connected by tubes with cooling plates. The manufacturer took the path of reducing the cost, which was reflected in the materials used. The tanks are made of plastic, the tubes are made of aluminum. the parts are connected through a rubber gasket that prevents coolant leakage.

Chevrolet Niva with and without air conditioning is equipped with one radiator model. The only difference is that in the first case, the condenser of the air conditioning system is fixed in front of the honeycombs, and in the second - a guide casing.

How to replace a radiator without removing the instrument panel

The device is replaced in stages:

Remove the glove box and disconnect the air duct.
To simplify the process of removing the rubber tube to drain the remaining liquid, loosen the bolts.
The structure is attached using two screws.
Using a side cutter, remove a piece of plastic that interferes with the dismantling of the structure.
Then a new radiator is prepared. To prevent air from passing through the cracks, glue is applied around the perimeter.