VAZ 2104 diesel
Diesel power plants are not typical for the domestic automobile industry. Therefore, the appearance of the VAZ 2104 with a diesel engine became a sensation. However, how successful can this modification be considered?
The VAZ 2104 was equipped with a VAZ-341 vortex chamber diesel engine. The engine was produced at the domestic enterprise JSC Barnaultransmash. Because of this device, AvtoVAZ engineers slightly changed the design of the car itself:
- installed a five-speed gearbox;
- connected a high-power radiator;
- increased the battery capacity to 62 Ah;
- developed a new form of starter;
- modified front suspension springs;
- increased sound insulation of the cabin.
At the same time, in practice, thanks to the use of a diesel unit, it was possible to significantly reduce fuel consumption, when, in all other respects, the diesel VAZ 2104 was in no way inferior to the gasoline one.
The diesel version has become significantly more economical than the gasoline version
The history of the VAZ diesel engine
The VAZ 2104 was first produced in Tolyatti in 1999. Initially, it was planned to equip the car with a more powerful 1.8-liter power unit, but this idea was never realized.
The new VAZ-341 diesel engine was characterized by high cost and reduced power. And even taking into account the low price of diesel fuel in 1999, the feasibility of such a modification was questioned by experts.
Diesel power unit 52 hp. fits perfectly into the design of the “four”
The VAZ-341 diesel engine was created in 1983. In fact, the new model was the result of modernization of the “three” engine. Engineers have significantly strengthened the existing cylinder block and piston stroke ratio. Due to many minor modifications, the VAZ-341 engine first began to be tested on cars only at the end of the 1999s.
Specifications
The engine on the VAZ 2104 (diesel version) consists of four cylinders arranged in a row. Engine displacement is 1.52 liters. As mentioned earlier, there were initially plans to install a 1.8 liter engine, but the tests failed. The power of the unit is only 52 horsepower. Initially, the diesel version of the VAZ 2104 was designed for beginners and leisurely drivers.
Low-power motor designed for city driving
The engine uses a liquid cooling system to operate.
An important difference from a gasoline installation is the additional equipment with a high-power starter and a modified block of glow plugs. This is necessary to ensure that the engine starts quickly in winter.
Thus, the VAZ-341 cannot be called a powerful power plant. However, it is precisely because of this that the car received the title of one of the most economical in the VAZ line: fuel consumption on the highway is only 5.8 liters, in an urban environment - 6.7 liters. Considering the low prices for diesel fuel at the turn of the 2000s, we can say that operating the model was not expensive.
The acceleration time to 100 km/h for the leisurely diesel VAZ 2104 is 23 seconds.
Manufacturers have also indicated the service life of the diesel engine - it requires major repairs every 150 thousand kilometers.
Even by modern standards, the thrust of the diesel “four” makes it competitive with many domestic and foreign brands
What engine can be installed on a VAZ-2106 car
If you drive a VAZ-2106, you know that this car's original engine has relatively little power. In addition, such engines are short-lived. Therefore, many owners of these cars at some point in time decide or are faced with the need to change the engine. What engine can be installed on the VAZ-2106? Theoretically, any engine that fits under the hood is suitable for such a car. Since there is quite a bit of space under the hood of this car model, the engine must be chosen from similar small cars.
When installing a new unit, you will not only have to redo the brackets and perform a number of other procedures, but also go through the car registration procedure again. When replacing engines, you will need to re-register the car with the traffic police. This need is due to the fact that there is a license plate on the engine block, which must be registered in the vehicle’s registration certificate.
Craftsmen often install engines from cars such as:
When choosing, it is worth considering the permissible power of the unit. It should not be too powerful, otherwise there is a risk of destroying the brake system and breaking the bridge. Also in this case, the car’s suspension may not be able to cope with the heavy load.
It is better to buy the engine straight from the gearbox. So all you have to do is adjust the cardan and connect the gearbox to the axle.
Advantages of the VAZ-341 diesel engine
Why did manufacturers need to experiment with VAZ 2104 engines? The race among automakers at the turn of the 20th - 21st centuries led to the need for new modifications and developments in order to win “their” segment of buyers.
The main advantage of the diesel VAZ 2104 is its low fuel consumption, which, with minimal fuel prices, makes the car the most budget-friendly in the manufacturer’s line-up.
The second advantage of the model can be considered its reliability - the diesel engine and reinforced components made the car with increased performance. Accordingly, the owners did not need frequent repairs and specialized maintenance as needed to be done on the gasoline versions of the Four.
And the third advantage of the VAZ 2104 is the high engine thrust, even with a power of 52 horsepower. Therefore, the car is being purchased very actively:
- for country transportation;
- for use in large families;
- those who like to travel in large groups.
The model’s universal body is designed for cargo transportation, and with a diesel engine, the traction of a loaded vehicle increases significantly
And, of course, the VAZ-341 diesel engine can withstand Russian frosts perfectly. For example, the set temperature for a cold engine start is possible even at a temperature of minus 25 degrees. This advantage is very important for Russian drivers of all categories.
Peculiarities
The diesel station wagon differs in some design features from the gasoline VAZ-2104. Due to the greater mass, the diesel engine required the installation of reinforced front suspension springs. The main pair was replaced from 4.1 to 3.9. To compensate for the increased noise level from the diesel engine, additional sound insulation was installed in the engine compartment (on the hood and crankcase protection). The exhaust pipe was wrapped in a loop to prevent soot from contaminating the right canopy. An indicator for heating the glow plugs and a button for heating the fuel filter appeared on the dashboard (but there is no indicator for its activation).
Disadvantages of the VAZ-341 diesel engine
Owners of diesel versions of the VAZ 2104 note several shortcomings of their cars:
- Difficulty in repairing the fuel system. Indeed, the use of low-quality fuel or neglect of the required level of maintenance quickly leads to the fact that the fuel injection pump fails. Its repair is possible only in specialized auto repair shops and is not cheap.
- When the timing belt breaks, the valves bend. That is, in case of an ordinary breakdown, you also have to spend money on buying new valves and adjusting them.
- High price. For all their efficiency in operation, VAZ 2104 diesel models are much more expensive than gasoline ones.
Valves are considered the weakest point of the model
Borrowed engines
Since it did not have its own mass-produced passenger diesel, VAZ repeatedly borrowed third-party engines.
Thus, in 1981, the possibility of converting the VAZ-2121 gasoline engine into a diesel engine was considered with the participation of Porche.
From 1987 to 1990, the manufacturer, together with the German importer Deutsche Lada, developed a plan to create an export version of the Niva with a Volkswagen power unit. However, this company refused to adapt its 1.9 liter engine to the Niva platform.
In 1993, we managed to establish cooperation along the same lines with Peugeot. By order of the French importer Jean Poka, the manufacturer adapted the 1.9 liter XUD-9L engine for installation on the VAZ-2121. The production of the cars was carried out by Lada-Export. Regular Nivas were delivered there, and the standard engine was replaced with a French one. In total, about 6,000 of these cars were produced for France, Spain, Italy and other European markets.
In addition, in Italy, Martorelli equipped Nivas with VM and FNM engines.
However, with the introduction of Euro-2 environmental standards, small-scale production of diesel Nivas was completed.
In 1998, together with Peugeot and Martorelli, VAZ tried to establish production of Nivs with the Peugeot XUD-9SD engine. However, work also had to be stopped due to the introduction of Euro-3 standards.
In addition, from 1995 to 1997, Samara was equipped with a PSA TDU5 engine from Peugeot 106 and Citroen Saxo with third-party attachments and original mounting for the French and Benelux markets.
Specifications
The VAZ 2104 engine has typical technical characteristics of AvtoVAZ engines. In fact, vehicles of the 2104 model were equipped with power units of different markings, and the manufacturer did not produce an engine marked 2104. Thus, engines with the following markers were installed on the “four”: 2103, 2105, 21067, 21073 and 341. Let us consider in more detail the technical characteristics of each power unit:
VAZ 2103
Brand 2103 Type Gasoline with the possibility of installing HBO Injection system Carburetor Volume 1.5 liters (1458 cm3) Power 80 hp Number of cylinders 4 Number of valves 8 Consumption 8.5 liters Economy Euro-2VAZ 2105
| Name | Characteristic |
| Brand | 2105 |
| Type | Gasoline with the possibility of installing LPG |
| Injection system | Carburetor |
| Volume | 1.3 liters (1290 cm3) |
| Power | 54 hp |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 8 |
| Consumption | 9.2 liters |
| Econorm | Euro 2 |
VAZ 21067
| Name | Characteristic |
| Brand | 21067 |
| Type | Gasoline with the possibility of installing LPG |
| Injection system | Carburetor |
| Volume | 1.6 liters (1569 cc) |
| Power | 82 hp |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 8 |
| Consumption | 8.5 liters |
| Econorm | Euro 2 |
VAZ 21073
| Name | Characteristic |
| Brand | 21073 |
| Type | Gasoline with the possibility of installing LPG |
| Injection system | Injector |
| Volume | 1.7 liters (1689 cc) |
| Power | 84 hp |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 8 |
| Consumption | 9.5 liters |
| Econorm | Euro 2 |
VAZ 341
| Name | Characteristic |
| Brand | 341 |
| Type | Diesel |
| Injection system | Injector |
| Volume | 1.5 liters (1524 cm3) |
| Power | 50 hp |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 8 |
| Consumption | 6.7 liters |
| Econorm | Euro 2 |
All engines in the series used a lightweight flywheel and a standard VAZ clutch. The 2104 engine was equipped with two types of gearboxes - a 4-speed and a 5-speed manual transmission.
Advantages of a “brutal” diesel engine
How do diesel lovers justify their choice? First of all, this is low fuel consumption, unlike other modifications that require a lot of gasoline. The nature of this phenomenon is more powerful ignition in the cylinder liner.
As a result, the piston receives a strong impulse and the crankshaft rotates more intensely. As a result, we get maximum torque at lower speeds. The peak torque of the VAZ 21045 diesel is 92 Nm, but this figure is achieved already at 2500 crankshaft rpm.
Maximum thrust on such an engine is also achieved at medium speeds. The “four” has a shaft speed at peak power of 4600 rpm. This is an unconditional advantage of this motor. After all, with a gasoline unit, the maximum “horsepower” is usually achievable at 5000–5500 rpm. This driving mode, with the pedal to the floor in maximum gear, is not a common occurrence for drivers of carburetor and injection cars, because the consumption is “crazy.”
Diesel allows you to use the engine's potential to the maximum during everyday driving.
