Spark plug gap for Priora 16 valves Spark plug gap for Priora 16 valves

Almost every motorist has come across the concept of adjusting spark plug gaps. Repeatedly this problem has become the cause of many troubles. Basically, malfunctions are associated with improper combustion of fuel in the cylinders, and the car may stall and consume too much fuel.

The video material will tell you what the gap should be on the spark plugs of a VAZ-2112 16 valves, and will also tell you about replacing spark plugs

What should be the gap on the spark plugs of a 16 valve VAZ-2112

The video material will tell you what the gap should be on the spark plugs of a VAZ-2112 16 valves, and will also tell you about replacing spark plugs

Let's get started

So, first, open the hood and remove the decorative engine cover.

Note! When removing the high-voltage cord, do not hold the cord - it may be damaged. You only need to grab the rubber tip. If the element is damaged, misfire may occur. The engine will start to stall, and the car itself will begin to consume a lot of fuel (since it needs more energy to push the idle piston in the cylinder).

Now let's move on to the candles themselves. We lower a specialized key into the shaft and begin to unscrew the spark plug counterclockwise using the handle.

Helpful advice: if you don’t have a key with a magnet, you can use the ignition module itself - install it on the end of the spark plug and pull it back out. This way we can remove the old element carefully and without damage.

What a gap there must be!

Diagram of valve clearance measurement

The spark plug gap is the distance between the electrodes that are connected to produce a spark. Since the 16-valve VAZ-2112 is only an injection system, we will talk about the gap specifically for this injection system.

Gap size between spark plug electrodes

So, the normal gap on spark plugs is the distance between the electrodes, which is 1.00 - 1.13 mm . Exactly, going beyond these limits can cause a large number of problems, such as:

Change in consumption (comparison with factory data).
Floating speed.
The car starts to shake.
Oil in spark plug wells.
And others.

How to measure and correct spark plug gap

The gap between the spark plugs can be checked using a special feeler gauge, which has a corresponding plate thickness marking. It should fit a little tight, but not too much. If the probe does not fit through or the gap is too far from ideal, then it is necessary to press the metal part (upper) of the electrode against the graphite one. After this, take measurements again and so on until it is perfect.

Flat probe for measuring and changing the gap between spark plug electrodes

Of course, stores usually sell spark plugs with the gap adjusted from the factory. But, long transportation can lead to the distance between the electrodes being broken, so before installation, it is necessary to adjust the spark plug gap on all spark plugs when replacing them.

A clear example of measuring the spark plug gap using a feeler gauge

Consequences of incorrect clearance

As experience and practice show, untimely valve adjustment can lead to the following consequences:

A small gap will mean that the engine will not be able to develop sufficient power , and will also stall or have difficulty starting.
A large gap leads to greater fuel consumption . Of course, more fuel means better dynamics and traction. But, in the modern world, when everyone is struggling to save money, a consumption of 12-15 liters per 100 km will not please the owner. The second nuance is gas failures or too large jerks, which are sometimes unnecessary, especially for operation in the urban cycle.

The correct gap on the spark plugs ensures correct operation of the engine as a whole and its individual elements, such as: gas distribution mechanism, fuel combustion process, consumption and others. Adjusting the clearance on a 16-valve VAZ-2112 engine is quite easy and simple with your own hands.

Expert recommendations

What experts advise:

Always follow the spark plug replacement schedule. Regular spark plugs last 20-30 thousand, and iridium ones - up to 100 thousand. If the SZ have already exhausted their service life, this will lead to unstable operation of the engine in general and the impossibility of starting it in particular.
Periodically check the condition of the safety devices, especially if the first signs of their inoperability appear. At the initial stage, problems are always easier to solve. If during a visual inspection you see that carbon deposits have formed on the electrode of the spark plug, then you need to clean the spark plug using special means or traditional methods. To clean the candles, you can heat them on the burner of a household stove, and then clean them with sandpaper. You can also use vinegar or Coca-Cola.
If there are cracks or signs of damage on the SZ, then take into account the need to replace the devices in the near future.
Don't buy cheap candles. The saying “the miser pays twice” is very relevant here.
Sometimes the reasons for the failure of the SZ are associated with incorrect operation of the ignition coils or high-voltage wires. Over time, the wires wear out and cracks may appear on them, which lead to current leakage. Accordingly, this may affect the performance of the internal combustion engine.

Life hack: spark plugs for Priora - fault diagnosis, replacement, price

When buying spark plugs for a Priora with a 16-valve engine, they usually create a reserve for themselves so that they can install a new one immediately after one of them becomes faulty. If you manage to start the car with one faulty spark plug, then failure of the remaining parts will result in the car refusing to start. In general, let’s immediately dispel the myth that 8-valve engines require some other spark plugs for a Priora car. In 16th grade, like in 8th grade, the same is given. Changing the spark plugs on a Priora is easy; in this article we will tell you how to do it, but that's all: The price of components for a Lada Priora car is not high - so I advise you to change them more often. To avoid more serious repairs. Because, having acquired carbon deposits from bad fuel, this will affect the engine by friction. Priora, like other cars, requires attention. Replacing oils and components.

Thinking about which spark plugs are best to install on a Priora, many refuse to believe in the miraculous power of analogues, installing only standard parts in their car, because the manufacturer swears that they will not harm the car. But every time a car owner sees the painfully familiar color of soot, he prepares to replace the ignition elements. I will say the following - on a Priora, a lot depends on gasoline and even driving style. It will be healthier to refuel at a good gas station, but that’s not all. You need to drive the car not only sluggishly, but sometimes give it a normal load. Moreover, it is better to do this periodically.

There is nothing difficult about changing the spark plugs in Priora yourself. This is a routine operation that is comparable to replacing headlight bulbs. It is recommended to check the gap between the electrodes from time to time. It is better to look for spark plugs for Priora in advance. When purchasing a set of elements for a Lada Priora car with 16 valves, try to compose it from the same models - so that there are no differences “in the row”.

If carbon deposits appear

After 15 thousand kilometers, it is recommended to re-inspect the condition of the spark plugs. Sometimes brownish-yellow carbon deposits can be observed on the surface of the electrodes. This indicates the use of fuel with an octane rating that is not suitable for the vehicle. When the spark plug overheats, the carbon deposits will turn white. Erosion is also possible. The reason may be early ignition timing. Sometimes the candle is simply not screwed on tightly. Also, with early ignition, the electrode itself melts. This spark plug is for replacement only. Which spark plugs are better for Priora 16 cl., see above.

Basic faults

The time has come to explain why it is worth carrying a certain supply of candles with you for the Priora. Don’t even store them in the garage or at home, but put them under the trunk lid so you don’t have to worry about anything when a critical situation occurs. When the “spark” doesn’t go after a hard day at work, you definitely won’t be eager to walk to the nearest auto parts store.

You can determine the malfunction of the Priora spark plugs by the following signs:

Starting the engine is difficult (that is, the starter rotates, the fuel-air mixture is supplied inside the chamber, but there is still no spark; the engine will start if you turn the starter for a long time).
Fuel consumption has increased (there may be several reasons for this phenomenon, but if at least one more reason from the list appears, it is worth inspecting the ignition unit).
The proportion of carbon monoxide coming out of the exhaust system has increased.
The engine power has decreased (this is especially noticeable during acceleration - there is no usual “traction” and good acceleration).
The engine is misfiring, which means one of the cylinders is not working - simply because “its” spark plug did not give a spark, the mixture did not ignite.
Usually the spark plug is changed every 15,000 km (for many this is one year of driving with their favorite car), but they can be “flooded”. This is a more serious problem that will take a little longer to deal with.

Manufacturers and prices of analogues

It is not always possible to find a standard set of spark plugs for the VAZ-2170 in the nearest stores. Therefore, you can install four new parts, in accordance with the number of cylinders under the hood. The choice of elements, thanks to other manufacturers, has become more diverse:

Bosch (manufactured in: Russia) au17dvrm. Price – about 250 rubles per set;
Denso (Japan) w20epr. Price – 140 rubles per piece;
Brisk (Czech Republic) lr15yc. Four pieces – 300 rubles;
NGK (Japan) bcpr6es. One piece – 150 rubles;
NGK (Japan) bcpr6es price per unit – 200 rubles;
Bosch (Germany) fr7dcu. One piece – 100 rubles;
Lecar Kit – 230-250 rubles;
Valeo 246871. One piece – 170-180 rubles;
Beru (Germany) 14R-7DU. One piece – 140-150 rubles;
Champion (England) RN9YC. One piece – 230-250 rubles.

Replacing spark plugs for a Lada Priora car with 16 valves

To replace spark plugs on a Lada Priora car, prepare a special socket wrench with a “10” head.

Priora is a car sensitive to the gap in the spark plug, this can affect fuel consumption and traction. For 16 cl motors, a gap of 1 cm is measured by the factory. It is important to check the gap between the electrodes before installation.

This is usually checked with a round probe that looks like a coin. Of the Russian coins, only 10 kopecks more or less fit this role - their thickness is 1.25 mm. This gap will increase as the engine runs.

Remove the negative voltage from the battery, and then put the car on the handbrake so that nothing interferes with the work. Replacing spark plugs on a Priora is done in 5 steps, see them below:

remove the plastic casing;
unclip the wire block clamp, disconnect them from the ignition coil;
remove the coil mounting bolt, then pry it off with a flat screwdriver and remove it;
there is a candle in the well - this is what is needed now. Remove it using an extension cord.
put a new part in place of the old one.

Recommendations

Spark plug device

Rules that must be followed when replacing spark plugs on a Priora.

Under no circumstances should you pull the HV wire too hard. You should stick it out while holding the tip.
When removing the spark plugs, you must place them in the correct order next to the cylinders.
If the candle is stuck, there is no need to use force to prevent the thread from breaking. You just need to warm up the engine.
Do not install new spark plugs if the engine is hot, as the threads will become very tight due to the expansion of the cylinder head.
For a 2.0 l engine, tighten the spark plugs to a torque of 30 Nm, and for a VR6 - 25 Nm.

Return to contents

Types of spark plugs: iridium and regular

The first iridium spark plugs for cars were produced by Denso. Today they claim that such parts, unlike conventional ones, have a longer service life. We installed such parts on the Priora, but did not notice the difference - perhaps this is just a marketing ploy. We don’t think that the Priora is anything special and there will be a noticeable difference on other cars. But still in terms of technology: durability is due to the gas-tight insulation of the central electrode, aluminum oxide insulators, reduced loss of electric current, a high degree of insulation, and a large volume of the ignition zone.

Denso even produces special models for AvtoVAZ. The electrodes are coated with a lubricant mixture, which increases their gas impermeability, while the temperature in the ignition unit remains optimal - premature or late ignition is excluded. The side electrode is designed in such a way that it allows ignition to be optimized; in this case, even a lean mixture will be ignited.

You can install iridium spark plugs on the Lada Priora, the advantage of which is clear - they need to be changed much less often. But the service life of these elements will be significantly lower than that declared by the manufacturer. The fault lies not in the malfunction of the car - the quality of gasoline leaves much to be desired.

As mentioned earlier, iridium spark plugs can even light a lean mixture. When they work with a contaminated mixture (and the risk of running into unscrupulous filling remains high), they suffer even more. This is comparable to the work of the lungs of a person who lives in a non-ecological area: not only does fumes settle everywhere, the wear and tear of the “organs” accelerates.

Valve replacement of ignition elements for Lada Priora 16 valves is real. Manufacturers producing analogues for this VAZ car produce similar copies from iridium. But don’t rush to rejoice: even if you are promised that the spark plugs will last about one hundred thousand kilometers, on Russian roads this is unlikely to be true.

However, take care to ensure that the cylinder head gasket is always completely sealed against leaking oil. If oil gets on your iridium spark plugs, your expensive purchase will be rendered useless.

Installing new ones

How do you then replace the spark plugs? Before installing new ones, you should check the gap between the side and central electrodes. It should be about one millimeter. The parameter is checked using a round probe. It is shown in the photo below:

If the gap is OK, put the spark plug on the tip of the ignition module and lower it into the shaft. Next, use a wrench to tighten it until it stops. There is no need to pull hard. The recommended tightening torque is 25 to 30 Nm. At the next stage, screw the coils and insert the terminals.

WHAT IS THE RISK OF AN INCORRECT CHOICE OF CANDLES?

Correctly selected spark plugs for Priora are an essential condition for normal engine operation. The choice of spark plugs depends on what engine is installed in your car. 8 and 16-valve power units require this device with a different heating range. The heating range is the amount of thermal energy that the spark plug is capable of conducting into the combustion chamber of the fuel mixture.

Using a spark plug with an inappropriate heating range can cause problems and engine malfunctions. For example, using an excessively “warm” one causes it to overheat and not have time to cool down to the required temperature during the operating cycle of the engine. When a new portion of fuel enters the cylinder block, premature ignition of gasoline may occur due to the high temperature of the spark plug, as a result of which the operation of the power unit will be disrupted.

Excessively “cold” igniters of the fuel mixture, operating in a temperature range of up to 400 degrees, on the contrary, are at risk of completely losing their functional properties due to the soot of burnt fuel formed on their electrodes.

Modern technologies

What I want to say in conclusion, many will think “come on,” why should I bother with some distance between the electrodes! Guys, very wrong thoughts.

Firstly , you can save on fuel, studies show up to 5 - 7%

Secondly , smooth engine operation is the key to driving safety.

Third , the correct gap between the spark plugs increases their service life; there is no chance that the insulator will break through (with an increased distance).

I would like to note that some companies, on the contrary, increase the number of contacts (electrodes), strengthen the coils and the ignition system, all so that the mixture is ignited better.

There are also more modern technologies now, which I think will soon replace them - such as plasma candles.

They have no electrodes at all, and the fuel is ignited by a beam of plasma that is generated by electricity. As they write, the production is now undergoing tests and they say that the combustion efficiency of the fuel mixture is increasing, which means a little more power, a little more economy and environmental friendliness of the engine.

And that’s all for me, read our AUTOBLOG, it will be interesting.

(
46 votes, average: 4.07 out of 5)

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CANDLES FOR 8 AND 16 VALVE PRIORS?

As mentioned above, Priors with 8 and 16 valve engines require different spark plugs. According to the recommendations of Auto-VAZ, spark plugs for 16 valve Priora must comply with the A17DVRM standard, and for 16v engines - AU17DVRM.

In fact, the differences between them lie solely in the design features - devices labeled A17 are designed for a standard hexagon, AU17 - for a smaller one.

You can see the features of marking of domestically produced products in the image.

Features of marking spark plugs of domestic production

SELECTING THE BEST COPY

Let's figure out which spark plugs to put on the Priora 16 valves. Many drivers agree that these ignition elements are consumables, for which there is no point in overpaying, since they will still wear out after 20-30 thousand kilometers. If you have a similar opinion, the domestically produced AU17DVRM is your choice. They are not expensive and work, in principle, quite well.

When choosing among products from foreign manufacturers, we recommend giving preference to the following companies:

Beru (standard 14FR-7DU);
NGK (BCPR6ES);
Denso (Q20PR-U11);
Bosch (FR7DCU);
BRISK (DR15YC).

The best spark plugs for a 16 valve engine, according to Prior owners, are made by the Japanese company Denso. Their iridium spark plugs on the Priora - Denso Iridium Power - have proven themselves well, and can travel for about 50-60 thousand km without any problems.

In general, the presence of an iridium electrode significantly increases the durability of the structure; moreover, iridium models retain their original characteristics throughout their entire service life.

For clarity, we present a graph of the increase in fuel consumption as different electrodes wear out.

Graph of increase in fuel consumption as different spark plug electrodes wear (iridium and conventional)

We’ve figured out which spark plugs are best for 16-valve Priora engines – let’s move on to 8-valve engines. The situation is similar for manufacturers: the best budget option is A17DVRM from our ZAZS plant.

Let us draw your attention to the fact that domestic A17DVRMs are an order of magnitude more durable and reliable than nameless Chinese ones at the same cost, so there is no need to be led by beautiful names and bright packaging.

Versions of high-quality foreign models tested by Prior owners - NGK BPR6ES and DENSO W20EPR - they are not cheap, but they are worth their price in full.

The Bosch FR7DPX Platinum also performed well. Reviews from prior drivers indicate that with them the car drives differently - the vibration in the engine disappears and the speed picks up better, and there are no problems with ignition even in severe frost.

Classification

You need to approach your choice as responsibly as possible. It is worth deciding which type of spark plug is best suited for the car.

Number of electrodes: two- and multi-electrode. The first type consists of several elements. These are the side and central electrodes. These are installed standard on Priora. As for the second type, they have one central and three side electrodes. As reviews note, these candles have a longer service life and are more reliable.
Type of material. Often spark plugs are equipped with copper electrodes. What are the best spark plugs for Priora? Judging by the reviews, they have a short resource - up to 30 thousand kilometers. But recently more “tenacious” iridium analogues have appeared on the market. Their resource is about 60 thousand. By the way, such candles have a slightly smaller diameter of the central electrode. If on copper it is 2.5 millimeters, then on iridium it is 0.7 millimeters.
Thread diameter. When purchasing, check with the seller for which engine you need spark plugs. Thus, 16-valve valves are equipped with elements with a smaller head size and thread diameter. Spark plugs from an 8-valve engine simply won’t work in a 16v Priora.
Heat number. This parameter means the pressure at which it is easier to heat the candle. There is a cold and a hot type. The glow number of these candles is 20 and higher for the first and 11-14 for the second. Which spark plugs are better for Priora 16 cl.? There is no clear answer to this question. But there are also universal options. In this case, the glow number is from 11 to 20. These are the spark plugs that many motorists use. They behave well both in summer and in cold weather.

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

Any murzilka (operation book) for VAZ cars states that spark plugs must be replaced every 30 thousand km. mileage However, in practice, even the highest quality products rarely travel 30,000 km.

The first sign that a replacement needs to be made is a change in the normal functioning of the engine. You will notice changes in its idle speed, and there will also be problems with ignition.

Unscrew them and visually inspect the electrodes. In normal condition, the electrodes are light gray in color, with a minimal amount of brown deposits allowed. During operation, the electrodes become covered with a yellow or brown coating (this is a normal condition for the middle of their service life). When the ignition elements of the fuel mixture become obsolete, black metal deposits appear on the insulator, and the electrode burns out or melts.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the spark plug gap between the insulator and the electrode (ideally for Priora it should be 1.1 mm, which is indicated in the service book). The gap increases during operation, so if a check shows that the gap is 2-3 millimeters larger than it was originally, the spark plug needs to be replaced.

The gap can be adjusted by simply bending or pressing the electrode against the insulator, but this can only be done normally on new spark plugs; when worn, the electrode, as a rule, becomes very fragile and crumbles under rough influence.

In the image below you can see the stages of spark plug wear.

Stages of spark plug wear

If the electrode is intact, you can try to revive the product; to do this, you need to anneal the deposit on the electrode with a gas burner and, after it has softened, remove it with a metal brush. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the fragile structure.

Now let’s figure out how to replace spark plugs on a 16 valve Priora. To do this you will need a spark plug wrench, a screwdriver and a 10mm socket wrench to unscrew the coils.

Everything is done according to the following algorithm:

Open the hood and remove the plastic protective cover from the engine;
We remove the power wire from the ignition coils and unscrew the bolts that secure them;
We pry up the coils with a flat screwdriver and take them out;
We take a special key and unscrew the spark plugs. This may not be so easy to do, since high temperatures may cause the shrink thread to stick to the body of the part. Unscrew it carefully so as not to damage the structure, since removing fragments of insulator from the well is an extremely problematic task. If you have a compressor at hand, blow out the shrinkage well to remove dust and contaminants accumulated in it;
We check the condition. If it is damaged or extremely worn, we install a new one. We insert the spark plug into the magnetic head of the key and screw it back in. There is no need to make any effort here - the thread should go smoothly, and after the body is held tightly in the seat, you need to tighten the thread with light force;
All that remains is to install the coils in place and connect power to them.

Replacing spark plugs on an 8-valve Priora differs from the procedure described above due to their location. In 16-valve engines they are recessed into a well inside the cylinder block, while on 8-valve engines the spark plugs are placed on the surface of the block, so changing them is much easier.

Replacement is carried out as follows:

Remove the power wire from the shank;
Unscrew using a 21 mm socket wrench;
Screw in new ones and connect power.

Now you know which spark plugs are best for Priora and how to replace them. Have a good ride without any breakdowns!

Removal

First of all, for safety reasons, remove the terminals from the battery.
Then remove the protective plastic decorative cover from the machine motor. To do this, in its far left corner we disconnect the connector of the solenoid valve for purge the adsorber. Then unscrew the plug from the engine oil filler neck. Now lift up and remove the cover. We put the plug back on the neck. It is worth noting that on some models of the Lada Priora family the decorative cover is fixed with nuts.
Next, it is recommended to change the spark plugs one at a time. This will reduce the risk of foreign objects getting into the engine and help avoid mixing up the order of suitable wires.
Unscrew the bolt securing the high-voltage ignition coil. The bolt head can be either hexagonal (ten) or in the form of an asterisk. Therefore, non-standard tools may come in handy. Now remove the terminals from the coil and take it out.
Unscrew the spark plug with a spark plug wrench and extension. This must be done with care so as not to break its insulator. After all, getting the insulator fragments out of the well will be quite labor-intensive. If this happens, you can use a piece of plasticine to clean the well. If a threaded connection sticks, it is worth pre-warming the engine.
Carefully remove the candle. If there is no holder on the spark plug wrench, you can use the released high-voltage coil to remove the spark plug.

Which spark plugs for Lada cars are best to choose?

A malfunction of the spark plugs immediately affects the operation of the engine; it begins to stall, jerk, does not pull, or starts poorly. To solve the problem, simply replace them with new ones, but which spark plugs are better to choose?

All modern 8 and 16 valve power units have the same manufacturer's recommendation. In other words, advice on choosing spark plugs will be similar for all modern Lada cars.

In the user manual for Lada Priora, Kalina, Granta, Vesta Largus, Niva and XRAY cars, the engine technical specifications contain the following data:

VAZ 11183, VAZ 11186/11189

VAZ 21126, VAZ 21127

Granta, Kalina, Largus, Vesta

Granta, Kalina, Priora

The gap between the spark plug electrodes should be within 1.1.15 mm. Let us remind you that Lada Vesta and Lada XRAY can be equipped with a Nissan-Renault HR16/H4M engine. The spark plug gap in this case should be 0.85...0.95 mm. For K4M/K7M engines (more about spark plugs), the gap between the spark plug electrodes is 0.95+-0.05.

According to the requirements, the manufacturer must guarantee uninterrupted operation of the spark plugs for 18 months, provided that the vehicle mileage does not exceed 20,000 km. However, with good technical condition of the engine and proper operation, the service life of the spark plugs can be significantly longer. Thus, spark plugs are often replaced every 3 years or after 40 thousand km.

Marketers suggest improving engine performance by installing, for example, iridium, platinum or multi-electrode spark plugs on the Priora, the price of which is higher than usual. AvtoVAZ recommends using conventional, single-electrode spark plugs for its engines. In a review by ZaRulem magazine, a survey was conducted that shows that the majority of drivers follow the factory’s recommendations and choose simple, inexpensive spark plugs.

As part of the same review, nine different spark plugs were tested. As a result, they all passed the tests, and the winner was determined by summing up the points:

So what spark plugs should I put on Priora/Granta/Kalina/Vesta? Based on the recommendations of AvtoVAZ, the test results of a popular car magazine and a survey of the social network VKontakte, we can conclude that the best choice would be spark plugs from manufacturers: NGK, Bosch, Denso, Brisk and EZ Standard.

What kind of spark plugs do you use? What is the main factor when choosing them? Let us remind you that a high-quality battery also affects engine starting.

Fractions of a millimeter matter

The general principle of operation of the ignition system is that the ignition coil converts the on-board network current into a high-voltage pulse of several tens of thousands of volts, which is “transmitted” to the spark plugs. The discharge power must be sufficient to overcome the air “insulation” (gap) and, at the same time, form a spark on the spark plug. Despite the significant “voltage”, a few fractions of the air layer are of serious importance.

The required SZ value for a particular engine is indicated in the vehicle operating instructions. In comparison, installed candles may have:

small;
big;
correct gap.

Despite the fact that they differ by “microscopic” amounts, differences in the distance between the side and central electrodes have a significant impact on the operation of the motor.

The normal spark plug gap depends on the design features of the engine:

for “classic” carburetor cars – 0.5-0.6 mm;
for carburetor cars with electronic ignition 0.7-0.8 mm;
for injection -1 - 1.3 mm.