Changing the timing belt on a Lada Granta with a 1.6 16 valve engine

Today an old friend arrived in his Grant to replace the timing belt, rollers and pump. Since the replacement period is not specified in the technical regulations, we focus only on mileage. The regulations say to check the condition of the belt every 15,000, replace it if defects are detected.

In practice, it turns out that the optimal mileage for replacing a timing belt is 60,000 or 4 years of operation.

It is not by chance that we take the time interval, since the belt ages over time and, as a result, loses its mechanical properties.

Important! When the timing belt breaks on a 1.6 engine, all valves bend.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the timing belt

1. We loosen the tension of the generator belt. Loosen the locking nut by 21 and turn the screw by 10 until the tension is completely loosened. It is very inconvenient to take pictures since everything is located very close to each other.

Alternator belt tension roller.

1. Remove the upper timing cover. 5 bolts, Torx T key To make the operation easier, you can remove the windshield washer reservoir.

Fastening the upper timing cover.

1. Unscrew the crankshaft pulley bolt and remove it. 17mm head with extension.

You can block the crankshaft by engaging fifth gear and inserting a screwdriver into the brake disc ventilation duct below the caliper.

Set the top dead center.

1. Without turning off fifth gear, we turn the brake disc clockwise and together with it we will turn the crankshaft. We ensure that the marks on the camshaft sprockets and the timing case match. You can stop them; the Internet is full of drawings of homemade clamps. The simplest is two washers and a bolt with a nut.

Marks on camshaft sprockets.

1. The mark on the crankshaft sprocket should match the low tide on the oil pump.

Crankshaft mark.

1. We loosen the bolt securing the tension roller, use a 15 key and remove the old timing belt. Unscrew the bolts of the tension and guide rollers and remove them. Key or socket 15.

Timing tensioner and guide roller.

1. If you do not plan to replace the pump when replacing the timing belt, you can skip the next point.

Replacing the pump

1. While holding the camshaft sprockets from turning with any convenient tool, unscrew the fastening bolts and remove the sprockets. Head 17.

Fastening camshaft sprockets.

Be careful with the keys, don't lose them.

1. Unscrew the five bolts (10mm wrench) and remove the timing belt protective cover.

Fastening the casing.

1. Unscrew the three bolts securing the pump and remove it. Hexagon 5.

Pump mount.

1. A complete Gates timing belt kit was purchased, including a pump and gasket.

Grant timing kit.

1. Lubricate the pump gasket with a thin layer of sealant and install it in place.

We tighten the bolts evenly in a circle so that the gasket does not squeeze out.

1. Reinstall the casing and camshaft sprockets.

Which kit to buy

The main supplier of all rubber products, including drive belts, for the VAZ plant is the production of rubber goods in Balakovo. In addition to the products of this plant, you can find products from other well-known brands that produce automobile spare parts. You can purchase a Gates timing kit. This is one of the best options for your car, just beware of fakes, of which there are many on the car market.

And specialists can also offer products from ContiTech and Trialli. The operating instructions for the Lada Granta recommend changing the rollers (tensioner, guide) and, in some cases, the water cooling pump at the same time as the belt. Most often, it is the failure of this unit that leads to damage to the timing belt.

Installing a new timing belt

Attention! The tension roller has a tension direction mark.

Tension direction.

1. We put the tension and guide rollers in place. We tighten the guide bolt, there is no tension.

1. We check that all marks match. If the marks on the camshafts have moved apart, tighten them with a 17mm wrench. Install the new timing belt in the following sequence: first on the crankshaft sprocket and pump, then on the guide roller, camshaft sprockets and tension roller. We turn the tension roller with a special key, in accordance with the direction of tension.

Special key.

1. We ensure that the marks on the roller match, and tighten the bolt securing it. Head 15.

Correct tension.

1. Instead of a wrench, you can use a circlip puller. Shown in the filmed video.

1. We turn the crankshaft two turns and check all the marks again. If everything is in order, reinstall all the parts in the reverse order of removal. Fill with antifreeze.

Everything is very simple.

Selection of components

The VAZ catalog contains the elements:

• 21126-1006040 – timing belt (137 teeth);
• 21126-1006238-00 – automatic tension roller;
• 21126-1006135-00 – guide roller.

Gates produces analogues:

• 5631XS – drive belt;
• T43147 – roller with automatic tension;
• KO15631XS – repair kit: belt + roller T43147 + guide roller.

For those who have lost the fastening elements of the covers, we provide the catalog numbers:

• 21110-1144026-10 – T30 key screw;
• 00001-0011977-73 – spring washer.

Happy replacement!

Necessary tool

It is most convenient to work in a garage or on a flat concrete surface. You will need a jack, boots to prevent the vehicle from rolling away, wrenches and sockets, including Torx wrenches.

You immediately need to mentally prepare for the fact that you will have to work in very cramped conditions, and it is better to wear protective gloves on your hands.

If we talk about the new set, the originals are produced by the rubber products plant in the city of Balakovo. You can also find good reviews about analogues produced by European partners.

It’s not worth buying Chinese belts, their service life is much inferior to the original, and their strength can fail at the most inopportune moment.

Preparation stage

The Lada Granta model can be equipped with two types of engines:

• 16 valves;
• version with 8-valve timing mechanism.

A distinctive feature of the timing of these engines is the presence of two camshafts in the 16-valve version, which implies the presence of two gears (one for each shaft) and an additional idler roller for belt movement. The 8-valve unit, accordingly, has only one gear for the camshaft and one roller - also known as a tensioner.

The rollers are changed together with the belt. This is done in order to avoid belt breakage when a failed roller jams or the teeth on the gears jump relative to the set mark. In the latter case, the fact of the jump is accompanied by “shaking” of the engine and a noticeable decrease in throttle response.

To successfully complete the replacement, a car enthusiast should acquire the following simple “portfolio” of tools:

• a set of common open-end wrenches and socket heads;
• with a regular mount (claw);
• a screwdriver with a flat tip profile;
• jack;
• a fork designed to fix the tension roller or pliers with specially curved working ends;
• gloves (they will be very useful when unscrewing fasteners located in a confined space, which can cause hand injuries).

The “operation” can be performed both in a box (garage) and on a regular flat area.

How to choose a quality spare part

The Lada Granta timing belt plays a primary role in engine operation, so you need to choose it carefully. During movement, this part can withstand enormous loads, and it must be of the highest quality. Today, there are several proven manufacturers whose products deserve high marks. The most famous and good timing belts for Granta brands: • Contitech • Gates • Dayco • Bosch Among domestic manufacturers, one can highlight the BalakovoRezinotekhnika (BRT) company, which provides Granta timing belt life and an affordable price.

For ease of selection for a 16-valve Grant, you can use the following table:

When purchasing products from a well-known company, every driver thinks about which timing belt is best for Grant. But besides this, the car owner must be careful not to fall for a fake. It is necessary to check the presence of holograms and other identification marks used by a particular company, as well as the coincidence of the original part number and the inscription on the box.

You should buy spare parts only from trusted retail outlets, which bear full responsibility for the quality of the products sold.

On the question of motors

Grants are equipped with five power plants. Two of them are equipped with 8 valves, 3 - 16. We will consider 16-valve engines as the most technologically advanced, powerful and in demand.

The leader in popularity is the VAZ 21126 modification, which is a redesigned and improved version of the unit under the symbol 21124.

Other 16-valve engines have indexes 21127 and 21126-77 (sports version). All of them deserve a lot of flattering reviews in terms of reliability and power, but a common disadvantage is the inevitable deformation of the valves when the timing belt breaks, which is fraught with a major restoration that requires huge expenses.

That is why it is extremely important for the owner to detect signs of imminent belt breakage in time and replace it with a new part.