Independent selection and replacement of spark plugs for Lada Vesta

Significance of the ignition system

The importance of the ignition mechanism of the combustible mixture in the operation of internal combustion engines can hardly be overestimated. That is why replacing spark plugs on a Lada Vesta must be done in a timely manner. Do not forget that their unsatisfactory condition can cause:

• Detonation of the mixture in the combustion chamber.
• Reduced motor power.
• Overloading and heating the catalytic converter.
• Excessive consumption of fuel.

Problems with spark plugs can also signal problems in other vehicle systems. For example, a product with obvious traces of oil on the electrodes, especially on the threaded part, indicates the unsatisfactory condition of the oil seals. Unfortunately, the first reviews of the Lada Vesta pay more attention to the exterior and driving comfort than to technical problems.

Obvious signs of wear - you need to know

Spark plugs are a device for igniting gasoline. Lada Vesta is equipped with a 16-valve engine, that is, a spark plug set of 4 units is required.

We list the main signs that the spark plugs on a Lada Vesta need to be changed:

1. The starter operates with a delay, after several idle revolutions; 2. The ride of the car is not smooth, but with noticeable jerks; 3. Motor dynamics decrease; 4. Fuel consumption per 1 sq. km increases; 5. The color of the exhaust gases changes.

Sometimes the condition of the ignition device can indicate problems with other parts of the vehicle. For example, if the thread of the spark plug hole contains traces of oil on the electrodes, this means: the oil reflective caps have exhausted their service life. The service station staff will advise you when to replace the igniters. However, this period is also determined by the brand, and it can be found out from the factory operating instructions.

Spark plug sets for the 16-valve Lada Vesta are produced by different companies - both Russian and foreign.

What spark plugs can be used and when should they be changed?

Ignition of the mixture in naturally aspirated engines occurs using an electric charge with a potential of several tens of thousands of volts, which occurs between the spark plug electrodes. A timely replacement of spark plugs on a Lada Vesta car helps optimize the functioning of the power unit.

Factory instructions recommend changing ignition devices every 30,000 km. Experts assure that in fact the service life of a modern spark plug kit is at least twice as high, but the lack of ideal operating conditions makes this unattainable. Although, progress does not stand still, and there are examples that can last 50,000 km.

Of course, you can choose expensive high-tech candles, but is there any reason for this? It is enough that they meet the following requirements:

• High insulating properties at temperatures up to 1,000 °C.
• Uninterrupted operation at voltages up to 40 kV.
• High resistance to thermal shock.
• Ability to resist aggressive deposits and chemical processes in the combustion chamber.
• Good thermal conductivity of insulator and electrode materials.

Performance requirements for spark plugs

Spark plugs, in addition to the basic functions of proper spark generation, must meet optimal performance parameters of durability:

• to changes in temperature (from negative temperatures and up to 3 thousand degrees during the combustion of air-fuel mixtures) and pressure (starting from less than 1 bar on the intake stroke and up to fifty bar on the power stroke);
• to loads that prevent sealing by installing high-quality seals between the various elements of the spark plugs;
• to the formation of soot and the ability to self-clean and resistance to wear of electrodes;

• withstand the presence of high voltages (up to 40 kV) and provide proper resistance parameters, namely in the range from 2.5 to 8 kOhm.

Recommended spark plug kits for Lada Vesta

Many car enthusiasts do not attach much importance to the choice of devices for igniting the combustible mixture. And in vain, in a modern engine they play no less a role than, for example, the timing belt and its performance. It doesn’t hurt to remember here that VAZ offers several engines on Vesta, each of which has its own design features.

Factory recommendations for choosing mixture igniters are similar for all modern AvtoVAZ models. Do not forget to take into account the fact that they are equipped with both eight-valve and sixteen-valve engines. The official data for replacing spark plugs on the new Lada Vesta sedan is as follows.

8-valve engine VAZ-11189

• A17DVRM – JSC “Robert Bosch Saratov”.
• 14R-7DU – Beru.
• RN9YC – Champion.
• BPR6ES – NGK.
• W20EPR - Denso.
• LR15YC-1 – Brisk.
• WR7DCX – Bosch.

16-valve engines VAZ-21129 and VAZ-21179

• AU17DVRM – JSC “Robert Bosch Saratov”.
• DR15YC-1 – Brisk.
• FR7DCU - Bosch.
• Q20PR-U11 – Denso.
• BCPR6ES – NGK.

Renault-Nissan HR16DE/H4M 16-valve engine

• LZKAR7D – NGK.

The differences between the listed devices for igniting a combustible mixture lie not only in the name and manufacturer, but also in design features. Kits for eight-valve internal combustion engines are unscrewed with a standard spark plug wrench, and for sixteen-valve engines they are designed for a reduced hexagon size.

Marketing technologies are actively promoting multi-electrode, iridium and platinum igniters. The cost of such products is higher than that of ordinary ones. If you have the opportunity, you can join the latest technologies, but reviews from owners assure that single-electrode devices are quite functional and reliable.

Review of Manufacturer Prices

How to replace spark plugs on a Lada Vesta car without the help of specialists?

Let us note several points at once. After the ignition system part is unscrewed, you should visually assess the gap between its electrodes. It happens that it is enough to correct it, and not resort to changing the entire set. AvtoVAZ has established a distance of 1-1.15 mm for igniters on its engines. For units on Renault-Nissan HR16DE/H4M, the spark plug gap should be within 0.85-0.95 mm . This way you can revive the product.

Which spark plugs to choose for Lada Vesta: factory opinion

According to Lada Vesta owners, NGK BCPR6ES spark plugs would be an excellent choice.

For an 8-valve engine : 14R-7DU–Ber, RN9Y–Champion, BPR6ES–NGK, W20EPR–Denso, LR15YC-1–Brisk, WR7DCX–Bosch.

For a 16-valve engine : AU17DVRM, DR15YC-1–Brisk, FR7DCU–Bosch, Q20PR-U11–Denso, BCPR6ES–NGK.

The question, of course, is not the name of the manufacturer, but the design features.

The wrong choice of these elements will lead to the fact that they either do not work or will not work.

Denso Q20TT spark plugs.

In addition, for the first option, a regular spark plug wrench is suitable, and for 16-valve models, a reduced size hex wrench is suitable.

Repair procedure

Checking the gap. It should be equal to 1.1 mm

The spark plug gap on the 16-valve Lada Vesta is 1.1 mm.

The process is completely simple if you have the necessary tools. After dismantling, you can assess the presence of a gap between the electrode contacts. Maybe you can just adjust the gap there and there won’t be a need for replacement, but if our 30 thousand kilometers are already behind us, then throw it straight into the trash.

During installation, the engine must be turned off and cooled to ambient temperature.

We will also need a TorxE-8 wrench, 16 head. When replacing an element, it is important to tighten it well, but not excessively, so as not to break the thread. After 30 thousand we will have to repeat the procedure.

One small but important reminder. You need to wrap the candle with your working hand so that you can feel when it goes along the thread. If something happens, you can stop in time by starting the process over again, carefully cleaning the threads. That's all, you can drive until the next replacement.

Top 5. BERU Z16

Rating (2021): 4.47

-quality sparking Due to the copper-nickel electrode and high quality manufacturing, the spark plug provides reliable sparking in any conditions.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 170 rub.

• Country: Belgium
• Heat number: 7
• Electrode material: copper/nickel
• Gap: 1.1mm
• Guaranteed mileage: 30,000 km

Spark plugs from the well-known manufacturer BERU are distinguished by high quality workmanship and an affordable price, which is why many owners of Lada Vesta 1.6 give them preference. The presented option guarantees the most effective protection of the catalyst during combustion, thereby ensuring fuel economy. An additional benefit of the BERU Z16 is its reliability, with 100% ignition capability even in the harshest conditions. In their reviews, car owners confirm that the Lada engine starts in any frost - you just need to replace the spark plugs in a timely manner.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Economical
• Excellent sparking in cold weather

• Rarely nurse for more than the stated period

See also:

• 5 best spark plugs for Renault Duster

Features and purpose of spark plugs

Two years have passed since the appearance of the first copy, which means that some of the spare parts responsible for igniting the combustible mixture in the engine cylinders have worn out.

These include spark plugs, which were mentioned in the preamble to this article. To get started, it doesn't hurt to do some background research.

Without these important elements, the car simply will not move. If the resource runs out, then it is necessary to change the spark plugs. All that remains is to determine how to find out that it is time for replacement. Some characteristic features of the engine indicate this time.

Symptoms of wear

The spark plugs looked absolutely working, but the engine did not work well with them.

• significant loss of power;
• vibration during detonation of the fuel mixture;
• the catalyst overheats due to overload;
• Fuel consumption increases compared to what it was before.

Some car systems may begin to malfunction in unison with the fuel system. The spark plugs are starting to get oily, which means the reflector caps also need refreshing.

The choice of spark plugs depending on the current state of certain engine systems

Scientific research on the subject of internal combustion engines suggests that gasoline engines operate for quite a long time in so-called unstable modes, namely:

• during start-up and warm-up;
• speed up and down;
• under load and at no load, etc.

Such unstable modes in urban traffic conditions of the same Lada Vesta can reach from 90 to 97 percent of the total operating time of the power unit. From 45 to a maximum of 95 percentage points when driving on dirt roads, and from 30 to 35 percent when driving on country roads.

At the same time, the operation of engines in unstable modes leads to 7-10 percent excess fuel consumption with increasing wear rates:

• cylinders and pistons, as well as rings, both oil scraper and compression;
• timing springs and valves;
• interfaces of fuel supply and gas distribution drives.

In the general structure of failures and the occurrence of certain malfunctions, problems with engines account for at least half of all failures, including for AvtoVAZ models. As for the structure of engine malfunctions, here:

• 55 percent of the primacy belongs to the ignition system, taking into account 25 percent of the presence of problems with spark plugs, including due to the formation of soot and inconsistency of resistance parameters even in cases where original igniters are used, 20 percent - malfunctions of the ignition timing system and the rest - these are the costs of oxidation, breakage of contacts, both low- and high-voltage ignition circuits;
• 30 percent of failures are problems with the fuel system;
• 15 percent are ECU failures.

Characteristics of candles

The service life of candles does not particularly depend on the manufacturer, since we are not talking about stuffed technological equipment. In our case, this is a piece of metal of the correct shape with dielectric elements of the body. If the spare part meets certain requirements, then there is no need to fool your head.

• They should not lose their insulating properties at temperatures of a thousand degrees;
• Without interruption, they must provide a stable voltage of 40 kilovolts;
• Resistance to thermal shock;
• The metal must withstand chemical reactions at the installation site;
• The thermal conductivity of electrodes and insulators must comply with the standards.

When replacing, visually compare the old and new spark plugs.

Shelf life of Lada Vesta spark plugs

The service life of spark plugs depends not only on the manufacturers, but also on the quality of the fuel being filled, the technical features of the engine and its degree of wear. But, despite these factors, AvtoVAZ produces spark plugs with an average service life of 30 thousand km.

Basically, the service life of Lada Vesta spark plugs depends on the type of engine. If you take a high-quality, expensive spark plug, it will not last long on a worn-out engine. Especially if it runs on bad fuel and is filled with cheap oil.

Therefore, to be on the safe side, experts recommend installing a new spark plug every 15-20 thousand km.

Which candles to choose?

We won’t spend a lot of time choosing, for the reasons given above. This is not as important a factor as the timing belt, ball joint, or wheel bearing. Of course, there is one significant nuance. Depending on which engine is installed - 8 or 16 valves. Our spare part for each of them will be special, not universal.

A recent novelty of the domestic automobile industry - Lada Vesta - has become widespread among car enthusiasts. Despite the fact that the car has been in production for only a few years, owners are gradually beginning to encounter minor problems and periodic maintenance, which includes replacing spark plugs on Lada Vesta cars. This need is not a shortcoming of the machine or a serious breakdown; timely replacement of small spare parts will help in the future to avoid major repairs of the main moving parts.

↑ Features and purpose of spark plugs on a Lada Vesta car

Plugs are one of the most important components in the ignition system of any car; without them, it simply will not start. Using a discharge on the electrodes, the flammable fuel-air mixture is ignited. Engine power, efficiency and even toxicity of exhaust gases depend on the stable operation of igniters.

Lada Vesta cars produced from the factory can have two types of spark plugs:

• AU17DVRM (Russia);
• Brisk Super DR15YC-1 (Czech Republic).

Both of these models of ignition elements, according to reviews from car owners, have proven themselves well, they last well and do not cause problems.

Spark plugs for Lada Vesta

The condition of the spark plugs determines the ease of starting the power plant and the stability of the engine. Consumables need periodic replacement. This is due to the fact that candles are constantly exposed to aggressive chemical, thermal, mechanical and other loads. All of them affect the long service life of consumables.

Cost and article number of original spark plugs for Lada Vesta and their analogues

The Lada Vesta uses original spark plugs with article numbers 21120-3707010-00 and 21120-3707010-01. Their cost is about 200-250 rubles. The automaker does not produce consumables on its own. Therefore, AU17DVRM products from the Engels plant and Brisk Super DR15YC-1 are used as branded spark plugs. Consumables are of mediocre quality, so if possible, it is better to give preference to analogues from third-party brands.

Spark plugs from third-party manufacturers have a service life almost twice as long as the original. The table below shows consumables that have proven themselves to be the best during operation on a Lada Vesta car.

Table - The best alternatives to original spark plugs for Lada Vesta.

Iridium spark plugs are of particular interest among car owners. One of their best options is the Denso IQ20. When installing such consumables, their replacement is required much less frequently. In most cases, iridium spark plugs last more than 100 thousand km without problems. It should be borne in mind that the market is filled with fakes, the installation of which is fraught with the rapid failure of consumables.

Recommendations for replacement intervals

The lifespan of original spark plugs officially declared by the automaker is 30 thousand km. The low quality of gasoline, which is ubiquitous in domestic conditions, leads to faster failure of consumables. On many cars, spark plugs need to be changed after reaching 12-15 thousand km. Unscheduled replacement of consumables is necessary in the following situations:

• there is a long trip ahead;
• the fuel system and engine were flushed without removing the spark plugs;
• it is impossible to adjust the gap between the electrodes;
• carbon deposits have formed on the surface, which cannot be cleaned by any of the available methods;
• The spark plug has any of the damage shown in the image below.

Tools required to replace spark plugs

To replace spark plugs on a Lada Vesta car, you need tools, the list of which is given in the table below.

Table - Tools for replacing spark plugs on Lada Vesta.

Description of replacing spark plugs on Lada Vesta

Replacing spark plugs on a Lada Vesta is performed on a cold engine according to the instructions given below.

↑ Signs of wear

It is usually recommended to replace the spark plugs after the vehicle has traveled a certain number of kilometers. It is not advisable to allow the wear of these elements to affect the operation of the engine and the entire ignition system.

But, if the igniters were not replaced in time, or the new ones turned out to be defective, then obvious signs of their malfunction will, first of all, affect the operation of the engine. The first sign is that the engine has become difficult to start and does not pull.

It may also trip or jerk and lose power. Sometimes wear of the ignition elements provokes increased gasoline consumption, as well as poor performance and overheating of the catalyst.

If traces of oil are found on the spark plugs themselves or the threads, this is a clear sign that the reflector caps also need to be replaced.

Top 3. DENSO 4604 Q20TT

Rating (2021): 4.63

The best combination of price and quality Performance characteristics corresponding to a premium product and an affordable price for a set of candles are in the most favorable ratio for the buyer.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 212 rub.

• Country: Japan
• Heat number: 20
• Electrode material: nickel
• Gap: 1mm
• Guaranteed mileage: 30,000 km

Many Lada Vesta owners often prefer DENSO spark plugs, which have improved performance characteristics and a long service life. The price of this product is much more attractive than analogues in the premium segment with similar parameters. The manufacturer managed, without the use of precious metals, to create a model with thin electrodes capable of ensuring stable engine operation and stable sparking. In addition to the reliable start of the Lada Vesta engine (8 or 16 valves) in subzero temperatures, this set of spark plugs provides noticeable fuel savings and a reduction in atmospheric emissions.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Fuel economy
• Quick start in severe frosts

• Sometimes the engine stalls when starting in wet weather

See also:

• 10 best brake pads for Lada Granta

↑ Replacement period

For a car, as for any other equipment, it is better to prevent the breakdown of any small spare parts with the help of timely maintenance than to experience difficulties with repairs in the future. Therefore, even when purchasing a completely new car, the owner is given a number of recommendations for operating the car and the necessary periodic maintenance.

AvtoVAZ, among other things, sets timing for replacing spark plugs for cars of the entire model range, including the new Lada Vesta. Plant specialists recommend changing them after every 30,000 kilometers. In fact, the resource of their candles, and any others that will be installed, is approximately twice as long. But due to bad gasoline and polluted air, it is possible that the igniters will fail the car owner at the most inopportune moment if they are not replaced within the specified period.

↑ Replacing spark plugs on Lada Vesta with your own hands

If the car's mileage has not yet reached 30,000 km, but problems with the ignition system have already appeared, it is necessary to check the installation of the spark plugs and measure the gap between them. For a 16-valve Lada Vesta engine, the gap should be 1.1 mm, with the exception of the Renault-Nissan engine, where the gap is adjusted to 0.85-0.95 mm. Sometimes, by adjusting this indicator, problems with the ignition system disappear.

Replacing ignition elements on a Lada Vesta is a simple process that any car enthusiast with little experience in car maintenance can handle. Replacement work must be carried out on a cooled engine. To do this, you need to have a Torx E-8 spark plug wrench and a high 16 socket with an extension, and to work with an 8-valve engine, it is enough to have a 21 wrench.

Reviews

Related link:

Features of prevention and replacement of the fuel filter on Lada Vesta

↑ Selection of spark plugs

Lada Vesta has four engine options. One of them (the 1.6-liter VAZ-11189 8-valve engine) is no longer produced, but such cars are constantly seen on the roads. The remaining engines have 16 valves:

• VAZ-21129, 1.6 l;
• VAZ-21179, 1.8 l;
• Renault-Nissan HR16de/h4m, 1.6 l.

Depending on the type of engine, recommendations for selecting spark plugs for Lada Vesta may differ. According to the recommendations of the AvtoVAZ plant, copper or nickel igniters made in Japan by Denso or NGK, as well as English or German spare parts, are suitable for installation on the entire Lada model range. In addition to the manufacturer and the material from which they are made, spark plugs can also vary in design and have one, two or more electrodes.

For the 8-valve Lada Vesta engine, the installation of the following spare parts is recommended:

• RN9YC (Champion, England);
• W20EPR (Denso, Japan);
• BPR6ES-11 (NGK, Japan);
• A17DVRM (JSC Robert Bosch Saratov, Russia);
• WR7DCX (Bosch, Germany);
• 14R-7DU (Beru, Germany);
• LR15YC-1 (Brisk, Czech Republic).

16-valve engines VAS-21129 and VAZ-21179 operate on the following elements:

• FR7DCU (Bosch, Germany);
• Q20PR-U11 (Denso, Japan);
• BCPR6ES (NGK, Japan);
• AU17DVRM (JSC Robert Bosch Saratov, Russia);
• DR15YC-1 (Brisk, Czech Republic).

The 16-valve Renault-Nissan Hr16de/H4m operates on the following elements:

• nickel LZKAR7D-9 (NGK, Japan);
• platinum PLZKAR6A-11 (NGK, Japan).

Some car owners purchase replacement iridium spark plugs (for example, Denso IQ20). Theoretically, such elements of the ignition system should provide lower fuel consumption, extend the life of the catalyst and ensure consistently good performance at both high and low speeds. But, judging by the reviews of owners who tested different types of spark plugs, no significant difference in engine performance was noticed. The main thing is that they meet the requirements placed on them.

Spark plugs must be resistant to high temperatures arising in the combustion chamber (up to 1000°C), have resistance to thermal shock, be inert to substances formed during fuel combustion, operate reliably at a voltage of 40 kV, and their thermal conductivity must meet the standard.

Conclusion

The stability of engine operation largely depends on the timely replacement of igniters, as well as the quality of their manufacture.

The best spark plugs for Lada Vesta:

1. NGK: resource – 3.3 points, fuel economy – 4.1 points. Optimal price/quality ratio.
2. Finwhale: resource – 3.2 points, fuel economy – 4.0 points. Wide range for various modifications of power units.
3. Beru: American-German concern, resource – 3.0 points, fuel economy – 3.9 points.
4. Brisk: a Czech brand that produces igniters in the budget and premium segments. Resource – 3.0 points, fuel economy – 3.9 points.
5. Denso: a European brand specializing in the budget segment of products. Resource – 3.0 points, fuel economy – 3.8 points.
6. Torch: a Chinese brand focused on cars in the budget and mid-price segment. Resource – 3.0 points, fuel economy – 3.7 points.

↑ Where to buy

You can purchase spark plugs at a regular auto parts store. The simplest copper parts are usually in stock, and you don’t have to wait for them to be ordered and delivered. If the chosen model is not available at the moment or there is no store nearby, then it will not be difficult to order candles of the chosen brand and manufacturer through the online store.

In this case, you can pick them up from the point of issue yourself or pay for delivery by courier. Typically, prices when ordering online are lower than in the same retail store.

↑ Cost of a set of spark plugs

Spark plugs are sold individually or as a set. The simplest copper elements can be bought for 60-70 rubles apiece, so the set will cost 240-300 rubles. Nickel spare parts will cost a little more, more than 120 rubles apiece.

Some types of spark plugs, especially for the Renault-Nissan Hr16de/H4m engine, can cost 380-390 rubles per unit, and iridium ones - more than 500 rubles. In some stores, the price for individual models reaches 1000 rubles per piece, while their service life is approximately twice as long as that of others.

Each driver must decide on the choice of spark plugs based on his own or someone else’s experience. The price of different igniters may differ by 10 times or more, but their ability to perform their functions has little bearing on this. The main thing is not to exceed the period of use of spark plugs declared by the car manufacturer, then the performance of the ignition system and the driving system of the car will be stable and will not fail.