VAZ 2103 engine: characteristics, breakdowns and reliability

One of the most popular is the VAZ 2103 engine, which runs on gasoline. Its displacement is 1.5 liters, which makes it possible to produce from 68 to 77 horsepower of maximum power, depending on the year of manufacture, which is achieved at an engine speed of 5600 per minute.

A huge number of cars from domestic manufacturers were equipped with such an engine, which is why it became quite popular. In fact, like all VAZ engines, it is a redesigned version of the 2101 engine, so they have quite a lot in common, but also have distinctive qualities.

Specifications

Engine capacity, cc	1452
Maximum power, hp	68 — 77
Maximum torque, Nm (kgm) at rpm.	103 (11) / 3400 104 (11) / 3400 105 (11) / 3500 106 (11) / 3400 112 (11) / 3500
Fuel used	Gasoline Gasoline AI-92
Fuel consumption, l/100 km	7.8 — 10.3
engine's type	In-line, 4-cylinder
Add. engine information	Carburetor
Maximum power, hp (kW) at rpm	68 (50) / 5600 71 (52) / 5000 71 (52) / 5600 72 (53) / 5600 77 (57) / 5600
Compression ratio	8.5
Cylinder diameter, mm	76 — 82
Piston stroke, mm	66 — 80
Number of valves per cylinder	2

Tuning

You can add power to the 2103 motor in various ways:

The easiest way is to bore the cylinders to a diameter of 79 mm. This will increase their total volume to 1.6 liters. Installing pistons with a diameter of 79 mm allows you to increase power to 75 hp. With. In this case, the torque will be 115 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

A further increase in power can be achieved by increasing the piston stroke to 84 mm. For this, TRT pistons and a crankshaft from the VAZ 2130 are used. This crankshaft is usually used in cases where they want to increase power and torque at low and medium speeds. At the same time, the engine power will increase to 80-85 hp. With.
There is a more complex tuning option, in which: the channels of the cylinder head and intake manifold are bored and polished; select the appropriate camshaft. Correctly selected parts can increase engine power up to 100 hp. With.
Installing a 0.5 bar compressor together with a modified cylinder head makes it possible to increase the power of the power plant to 125 hp. With.
More expensive ways to increase the power of the 2103 engine are also possible, but the price of components and payment for work associated with modifying parts, assembling the engine and adjusting it may exceed the cost of both the engine and the car as a whole.

Peculiarities

Despite the fact that domestic manufacturers almost never made significant changes to the design of their power units, the VAZ 2103 engine block combined a fairly large number of developments. The camshaft is mounted from the 2101 engine, which provides a raw journal between the cams of the second cylinder in the shape of a hexagon.

Certain changes have also been made to the cylinder head in the form of a 2 mm step in the combustion chamber, which is obtained by milling. The gas distribution mechanism is driven by a chain, and the attachments in the form of a pump and generator are moved by a belt.

The crankshaft is installed from the 2101 power unit with a crank radius of 40 millimeters.

The displacement of the VAZ 2103 engine has increased compared to the previous version. This was achieved by increasing the cylinder block by 8.8 millimeters. Thanks to this solution from the manufacturers, an increased piston stroke was obtained.

Many people wonder how much this power unit weighs, and the weight of the VAZ 2103 engine is 120.7 kilograms. A weight of almost 130 kilograms was achieved thanks to the installation of a lightweight cylinder head.

The VAZ 2103 engine number is located on the lower shelf of the air intake, which is located on the right in the direction of travel of the car, so finding the marking plate will not be difficult.

Design features of cylinder head 03 model

The BC head is common to four cylinders. The height of the cylinder head is 112.5 millimeters, the volume of the combustion chamber is 33.2 cubic meters, cm. Its size is 51 × 79 millimeters. Inside the combustion chamber there is a milled step with a height of 2 mm.

A camshaft is installed inside the cylinder head on supports. It houses 8 valves, 4 intake and 4 exhaust valves. One intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder. The shaft has one distinctive feature: between the fists of the 2nd cylinder there is a raw neck in the shape of a regular hexagon. The timing drive is a double-row roller chain consisting of 116 links, which requires periodic tensioning. There are no hydraulic compensators, so timely adjustment of the valves is required.

Advantages

Since the technical characteristics of the VAZ 2103 engine differ significantly from previous power units, it is easy to assume that the manufacturers made every effort to rework the engine. This has borne fruit, including a fairly large number of advantages:

Redesigned attachment drive. Due to the fact that the gas distribution mechanism is driven by a chain, and the pump and generator by a belt, noise during operation is reduced.
Repair of the VAZ 2103 engine is provided by the factory. Manufacturers have designed these power units to be serviceable, so they offer customers repair kits that can be used if the cylinders need to be bored.
Great resource. Due to the fact that high-quality materials were used during the production of the motors, they were able to operate for a long time, unlike modern foreign solutions.
The pistons of the VAZ 2103 engine never meet the valves. The chain drive makes it possible to avoid breakage, so the likelihood that the valve will bend is reduced to zero.

ShPG design features

The crankshaft of model 03 differs from the previous engine model with a larger crank radius of 40 mm, which provides greater piston stroke movement up to 80 mm.

The pistons are identical to the VAZ 2101. The piston is made of aluminum.

The surface of the part is coated with tin. The piston class must correspond to the size of the cylinder. The piston pin hole has three size categories. The marking located on the bottom of the piston indicates that it belongs to a certain class and a certain category. The Latin letter means it belongs to the piston class, and the number means it belongs to the pin hole category.

Piston rings are used with VAZ 2101, the normal size of which is 76 mm. The piston rings are cast iron. The compression ring located on top has a chrome-plated surface and a barrel shape. Compression ring located at the bottom of the scraper type. They are strengthened by phosphating. Oil scraper rings are not chrome plated or hardened. But they are equipped with an expander spring.

The connecting rod is also used with the VAZ 2101. Its length is 136 mm. Each connecting rod has a personal cover; they cannot be swapped. Since the connecting rods are processed together with the cover. To avoid confusion, there is a number on the cap and connecting rod that identifies the cylinder in which they need to be installed.

Problems

As befits all Soviet engines of that time, there are more than enough negative qualities in the 2103 power unit. But despite this, owners still drive cars with this engine under the hood and do not complain. The main disadvantages are:

The VAZ 2103 carburetor is an eternal problem, since they were produced by Weber and Ozon. These fuel cells constantly require cleaning and rebuilding, as well as adjustments. The jets are constantly clogged, so the power unit begins to operate unstably. As a rule, in this case, the VAZ 2103 engine speed begins to fluctuate very much.
The engine may become very loud. As a rule, this is caused by the fact that the timing chain has stretched, or the thermal clearances on the valves need to be adjusted. If this does not help, then you will have to do a major overhaul, since problems arise in the connecting rod and piston group.
It is very easy to overheat such an engine. As a rule, owners of cars with such a power unit under the hood encounter this problem due to a jammed thermostat and pump. Less common are cases of antifreeze leakage due to a breakdown of the pipe.
Oil leaks. This is a standard problem for all engines of that time, usually observed in the area of the pan and valve cover. You will have to come to terms with this, since replacing the gasket will only remove this problem for a few thousand kilometers.
Failure of the cylinder head gasket. This also happens on modern engines, since high-quality coolant is not always used. If your engine oil level has risen sharply, you need to urgently go to a service center. This will also be noticeable by the fact that the operation of the VAZ 2103 engine will be unstable.

VAZ 2103 engine malfunctions

The most common defects found on the engine:

large “gorge” of oil;
difficult launch;
floating speed or stopping at idle speed.

All these malfunctions are associated with various reasons, which will be discussed below.

The engine gets very hot

Experts call the main reason for overheating of the engine unit a lack of refrigerant in the system. According to the rules, before leaving the garage, the driver is required to check the level of all technical fluids each time. But not everyone does this, and then they are surprised to find themselves with a “boiling” internal combustion engine on the side of the road.

Engine overheating occurs due to a lack of refrigerant in the system

Antifreeze may leak from the system. In this case, there is a malfunction - a violation of the integrity of the cooling system. Antifreeze stains on the floor of the garage in which the car was parked directly indicate to the owner that there is a leak. It is important to eliminate it in a timely manner, otherwise there will not be a drop of liquid left in the tank and system.

The reasons for the leak are as follows.

Most often, refrigerant leaks are caused by hose clamps that are not tightened tightly enough. The situation is especially bad if the clamp is iron and it cuts the rubber pipe. In this case, you have to change the entire segment of communication.
It also happens that the radiator begins to leak. In such a situation, it makes more sense to replace the element, although small cracks can be repaired.
Antifreeze leaks through the gasket. This is the most dangerous situation, since the liquid will go inside the engine, and the car owner will not notice any leaks. It will be possible to determine the “internal hemorrhage” of the system only by an increase in refrigerant consumption and a change in its color to “coffee with milk”.

Another reason for engine overheating is a non-working radiator fan. On a VAZ 2103, the quality of cooling by the engine blades is extremely important. The slightest sagging of the drive belt has a negative effect on it. But this is not the only reason for the element to be released.

The fan can simply deteriorate and burn out.
The fuse responsible for the electrical circuit fails.
The contacts on the fan terminals are oxidizing.

Finally, overheating of the internal combustion engine can occur due to damage to the thermostat.

Engine knock

On a VAZ 2103, engine knock is detected without special equipment, by ear. A 1-meter wooden pole is taken and one end is applied to the motor in the part being tested. The other side of the pole should be clenched in your fist and brought to your ear. It turns out something like a stethoscope.

If a knock is heard in the area of the connector with the oil sump, it is dull, and the frequency depends on the amplitude of rotation of the crankshaft - this is the knocking noise from the worn-out crankshaft main bearings.
If the sound is heard above the crankcase connector, it intensifies as the engine speed increases - this is the connecting rod bearings knocking. The noise will become louder as the spark plugs are disconnected one at a time.
If the sound comes from the cylinder area and is best heard at low engine speeds, as well as under load, it is the pistons knocking on the cylinder.
A knocking sound in the head area when you sharply press the accelerator pedal indicates worn piston seats.

VAZ 2103 engine smokes

As a rule, at the same time as the smoke, the engine eats up oil. It may be gray in color and increase with increasing idle speed. The reason is related to the oil scraper rings that require replacement. It is also possible that one of the candles is not working.

In some cases, this happens due to a ruptured gasket or insufficient tightening of the head bolts. On older engines, there may be a crack in the block head.

Troubles the engine

The phrase “troubling engine” means that one or more cylinders are not working. The power plant is not capable of developing full power and does not have the required traction force - accordingly, fuel consumption increases.

The main causes of tripping are: faulty spark plugs, incorrectly set ignition timing, loss of tightness in the intake manifold area, etc.

Engine misfire is caused by incorrectly set ignition timing.

Maintenance

The assembly of the VAZ 2103 engine is not very different from other power units, therefore the maintenance regulations are appropriate. As practice shows, after 100 thousand kilometers, and the engine will pass them without problems, you will have to change the timing chain, otherwise it can stretch and make a lot of noise. The valves are adjusted around 20 thousand, but a more frequent procedure may be required, depending on your driving style.

Oil in the VAZ 2103 engine also needs to be constantly added, since the engine burns about 700 grams for every 10 thousand kilometers. But it also needs to be changed constantly, after passing 30 thousand. If you are interested in how much oil is in the VAZ 2103 engine, then everything is simple - 3.75 liters. But it is worth considering the fact that during replacement the old lubricating fluid remains, so 3.5 liters of new oil must be poured.

Fuel and air filters must be replaced after 40 thousand kilometers. But given the way domestic cars are used in modern realities, it is better to reduce this period to 20 thousand kilometers.

VAZ 2103 engine: old songs about the main thing

We assure you that if you fully understand the structure of this simple engine, you will not only have the opportunity to buy a car for little money, but also be confident in its reliability and reliability.

After reading these lines, you probably decided that we have lost our minds, because thousands of people repeat the same thing: the VAZ is a devil car. Well, we are ready to dispel these myths.

The main and only reason that most VAZ cars do not work well enough is problematic parts. They are simply so old that they are not ready to serve adequately. Of course, when a creaking appears in a small gray Honda, we immediately run to the mechanic, and when a VAZ creaks, we endure it and force the car to endure it too. This is where all the trouble comes from. Replace everything in the VAZ that requires replacement; clean everything that needs cleaning; adjust everything that needs adjustment - and you will have a great car that will not let you down.

The VAZ 2103 engine is one of the most popular VAZ engines; it deserves special attention due to its great popularity among domestic cars such as “classic” cars. This power unit was installed not only on its own model of the 2103 series, but also on other modifications of the Zhiguli.

The most common defects of the VAZ 2103 and their causes

Like all internal combustion engines, the 2103 engine may have malfunctions, especially the following breakdowns:

The engine does not start.
The engine stalls at idle speed or there are floating speeds.
Increased consumption of motor lubricant.

If the VAZ engine cannot be started, this may be caused by the following reasons:

fuel does not enter the carburetor;
the fuel filter is excessively dirty;
fuel pump failure;
The carburetor solenoid valve does not work.

For the symptoms described in the second paragraph, the reasons are as follows:

violations in idle speed adjustments;
carburetor failure;
The gaps between the cams and camshaft levers are not adjusted.

If oil consumption is increased, the following reasons are observed:

oil leaks through worn seals;
Excessive wear on piston rings or cylinder walls;
Oil reflecting valve caps are damaged or worn.

VAZ-2106 engine weight

Technical characteristics of the Toyota 3s fse engine

On a VAZ-2106 car, the weight of the engine without gearbox is 121 kilograms. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended to try to remove or move this unit alone - this is a direct path to serious injury. It is best to hire an assistant who can help you during the process of dismantling or installing the motor.

Finally, when assembled with the gearbox and the devices attached to it, this value will increase by another 26 kilograms.

As you can see, weight can be considered a significant disadvantage of the car compared to imported analogues. To reduce it, increase power, and also improve dynamic characteristics, many drivers today install parts made of light metal alloys.

In 1984, a diesel version of the “six” was released at a Bulgarian automobile company. Replacing a gasoline engine with a diesel engine didn't have much of an impact on the car's performance. Firstly, the Bulgarians failed to increase the power of the power unit. Secondly, its weight increased by about 10 kilograms, which can also be called a disadvantage of the alteration.

Crankshaft

The VAZ 2103 crankshaft is made of super-strong material and has nine journals. All necks are thoroughly hardened to a depth of 2–3 mm. The crankshaft has a special seat for installing the bearing.

Crankshaft VAZ 2103

The neck joints are channelized. They carry oil for the bearings. The channels are plugged with caps pressed for reliability at three points.

The crankshaft of the VAZ 2103 is similar to the VAZ 2106, but differs from the internal combustion engine units of the “kopek” and the eleventh model in the size of the crank. The latter is increased by 7 mm.

Dimensions of half rings and journals of the crankshaft.

The half rings have a thickness of 2.31–2.36 and 2.437–2.487 mm.
Molar necks: 50.545–0.02; 50.295–0.01; 49.795–0.002 mm.
Crankpins: 47.584–0.02; 47.334–0.02; 47.084–0.02; 46.834–0.02 mm.

This data can be very useful, since it often happens that a store sells a spare part for a “penny” instead of a VAZ 2103 crankshaft.

Operation of the treshka engine

126 engine 16 valve characteristics.
boring the engine priors or how to increase the volume In general, engine operation does not cause any special problems. Timely completion of routine maintenance, oil changes, adjustment of the VAZ 2103 carburetor, and the use of high-quality motor fuel ensure a long period of engine operation. The operation of the engine also has its own specifics that must be taken into account.

One of the specific features of the 2103 engine is that the timing chain drive does not have a chain tensioner. This leads to the need for periodic inspection, and in some cases, restoration of normal operation is required. The regulatory frequency of such an audit is 10,000 km. With some experience, you can make this adjustment yourself. Here is a step-by-step action plan:

completely unscrew the tensioner cap nut;
using your finger to control the position of the tensioner rod, turn the crankshaft 1-1.5 turns in the direction of its rotation;
as soon as the tensioner rod is sunk, the spring will automatically adjust the chain tension through the shoe;
tighten the cap nut.

Another important regulatory procedure when operating a VAZ 2103 engine is adjusting the thermal valve clearances. The need to repair the valve arises when there is a distinct knocking sound in the engine at low speeds.