Replacing the timing belt on a VAZ

The VAZ timing belt is replaced after 60 thousand kilometers or if signs of excessive wear appear on the surface of the belt (cracks, threads, burrs, etc.). I won’t tell you what a timing belt is and what the consequences of a broken timing belt are, since I already wrote about it in this article, if you’re interested, you can read it. I suggest going directly to the replacement process.

In order to replace the VAZ 2105 timing belt you will need:

• Keys to: “10”, “13”, “17”, “30”;
• New timing belt VAZ 2105;
• Tensioner roller (optional).

Replacing the VAZ 2105 timing belt with your own hands

1. To remove the timing belt, you need to provide access to it; to do this, you will need to remove the alternator belt.

2. Remove the battery, then loosen the generator mount at “17” and lift it up, this will release the tension on the generator belt and remove it without any problems.

3. Now you need to remove the timing belt protection; on the “five” it consists of three parts. To remove its upper part, you will need a “10” key.

4. Next, you need to align the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft. On the VAZ 2105, the mark on the camshaft pulley is made in the form of a thin strip, and not a dot like on the VAZ 2101 or VAZ 2106.

5. Align the mark on the camshaft with the mark on the timing belt pulley.

6. When matching the marks on the camshaft, the mark on the crankshaft must match, it should be on the longest mark.

7. If you did everything correctly, the distributor slider will be in the 1st or 4th cylinder position. In case of an error, this will allow you to very quickly return the ignition to normal, for example, if you turn the third pulley that drives the oil pump and distributor. There are no marks on it, so be careful and attentive when removing the timing belt.

8. Remove the second and third halves.

9. Use the head at “13” to loosen the fastening of the roller, and with the wrench at “30” turn the roller counterclockwise, this will loosen the tension of the timing belt.

10. When the tension is loose, move the timing belt to the side and try to pull it out from under the hood.

11. Put on the new belt and begin tensioning it using the tension roller.

This video will allow you to correctly tension the VAZ 2105 timing belt with your own hands.

12. Pay attention to the marks, they must match.

13. Using the key set to “13”, tighten the roller completely.

If your marks do not match, you will have to repeat everything all over again until the marks match. When finished, check the position of the distributor slider. Try starting the engine and checking its operation. If everything is normal, reassemble in the reverse order and do not forget to tension the alternator belt.

How to replace a belt yourself

Installing this component is easy if you follow the detailed instructions:

1. Gain access to the timing mechanism by first removing the alternator belt.
2. Start by disconnecting the battery terminals, and then remove the battery completely. Use a 17 mm socket wrench to loosen the generator mount and lift this unit. This is necessary to relieve the belt tension.
3. At this stage, use a 10 mm wrench to unscrew the fastenings of the upper part of the composite protective casing. There is no need to dismantle 2 more parts yet.
4. We combine the marks on the shafts – camshaft and crankshaft. The mark on the timing pulley looks like a thin stripe. In other versions of the VAZ, a similar mark is made in the form of dots.
5. The mark on the camshaft should align with the mark on the belt pulley.
6. Check that the crankshaft mark is on the longest line.
7. The correct setting of the shafts can be checked by the distributor slider; ideally it is in position 1 or 4 of the cylinder. If you made a mistake, get the ignition back to normal. To do this, just move the third pulley of the oil pump and distributor. There are no marks on these nodes, so you need to be extremely careful.
8. Now you need to remove the remaining parts of the timing belt guard.
9. To loosen the tension roller, use a 13mm wrench. Do not remove this unit completely, but turn the head to 30mm so that the belt loosens.
10. Gently slide the belt out from under the hood.
11. Now you only need to replace this component with a new one. Use a roller to adjust its tension. The optimal tension force is that at which you can grasp the belt over a long section with two fingers and turn it 90 degrees.
12. Check the placement of the marks, they should still match.
13. Tighten the 13 pulley completely with a wrench. Then reassemble the mechanism.

Model features

If we turn to history, then for the first time the belt drive of the gas distribution mechanism in cars of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant began to be used on the VAZ 2105 model: an engine with such a drive was an experiment, and was not installed on all cars (some of them used a motor from the VAZ 2101 and 2103 models, having a timing chain drive).

And also, this version was the first in the Soviet era to drive the gas distribution mechanism using a belt instead of a chain, like other models. This experience can hardly be called a success, because the engine became known for its unstable operation and frequent leaks of engine oil.

But, thanks to the efforts of Soviet engineers, the mechanism is absolutely safe to use. A broken belt on a VAZ 2105 does not lead to a collision of pistons with valves, since the former have special rounded recesses on top, and this will not require engine repair.

During standard use, belt replacement in 2105 is necessary in the following cases:

• The mileage is around 60 thousand km.
• Damage appears on the rubber (tears, cracks).
• Major engine repairs are being carried out.

Engine parameters and features

The VAZ 2105 engine is used on the VAZ 2104, 2105 and 21072 models. It has a camshaft belt drive and the following main parameters:

• engine capacity 1.3 l,
• power 64 horsepower,
• maximum luggage compartment volume – up to 385 liters,
• fuel consumption in the city – 10 liters per 100 km,
• in the combined cycle - 8 liters per 100 km.

Cars based on this engine use 5W-30-15W40 oil and AI 93 fuel. The engine life, according to the factory, is 125, in practice - about 200, 4 cylinders and 2 valves, power system - carburetor, type - in-line. Torque is approximately 94 Nm at 3400 rpm. The piston stroke and cylinder diameter are 66 and 79 mm, respectively.

And also, when repairing the timing belt on the 2105, do not forget about the features of this engine. The use of a toothed belt in the gas distribution mechanism drive instead of a classic metal chain made it possible to achieve quieter operation of the machine. In addition, the belt tension has become automatic, removing an extra lubrication point, which has significantly reduced engine oil losses.

When is replacement necessary?

The VAZ 2105 is the first car of the Soviet era in which the gas distribution mechanism is driven using a belt rather than a chain, as in other classic models. This first experience cannot be called successful, since this engine became famous for its instability and numerous leaks of engine oil.

But the mechanism is conceived and made absolutely safe to use. If the timing belt breaks in the “five,” the valves will never meet the pistons, because the latter have special round-shaped recesses on top. If an incident happens somewhere on the road, then if the driver has spare parts and tools with him, he can easily make a replacement and move on. If the belt breaks on a VAZ 2105, engine repair will not be necessary.

Taking advantage of this circumstance, many unscrupulous motorists drove with the old belt “to failure,” which is fundamentally wrong. Under normal operating conditions, replacement must be performed in the following cases:

• after a run of 55-60 thousand km;
• when defects appear on the rubber in the form of cracks, peelings and tears;
• when the engine is overhauled.

When replacing by mileage, the manufacturer recommends changing the element along with the tension roller. But due to the characteristics of the power unit, oil often gets on the belt, which is why the part is not able to work out its full service life. Often, a belt damaged by motor lubricant has to be replaced without a tensioner roller, because the latter is in excellent condition.

Replacement procedure

1. Remove the alternator belt.
2. Remove the top belt cover.
3. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the marks on the camshaft gear coincide with the marks on its housing, on the crankshaft pulley and the drive cover.
4. Remove the middle and bottom belt covers (out of a total of 3 pieces, the first was removed in step 1)
5. Remove spring 7, loosen bolts 3, move the bracket to the left as far as it will go and remove the belt.
6. Put on a new belt, press out the bracket and install spring 7.

The main condition when repairing or installing a timing belt on a VAZ 2105 will be that the installation marks match; Care should be taken to ensure that the shafts do not rotate.

Replacing the timing belt of Zhiguli 2105

Replacing a belt on a VAZ-2105 is much easier. To gain access to it, you must first remove the alternator drive belt and the timing belt protective cover.

Removing the alternator belt

Afterwards, marks are placed on the camshaft gear with a mark on its body, as well as on the crankshaft pulley and the drive cover. Then remove the drive belt protective cover, which consists of three parts.

Marks on the crankshaft pulley	Marks on the camshaft pulley

The next step is to loosen the tension pulley bolt and turn it to loosen the belt tension. Then the belt is carefully removed from the camshaft gear, removed from the tension roller and removed from the crankshaft gear.

Tension roller location

After putting on a new belt and after tensioning it with a roller, you need to check that all marks match. Then everything is put back together.

As a result, it should be noted that the main condition for replacing a belt or chain is that the installation marks match, so when removing the drive and installing a new one, watch the shafts so that they do not turn, so everything must be done extremely carefully.

Frequency of replacing the timing belt on a VAZ 2105

Replacing the timing belt on a VAZ 2105 is necessary approximately every 60 thousand km during standard use, but in case of some damage it becomes necessary to replace the timing belt earlier than the standard period. Despite a certain motor resource set at the factory (in our case - 125), malfunctions occur quite often and their elimination is critical for continued use of the machine.

If folds, cracks, or fraying of the belt appear, it must be replaced, since when using a timing belt on a VAZ 2105 in this condition, there is a danger of rupture when the engine is running. When oiling, you should carefully wipe the belt with a cloth, after dipping it in gasoline.

We’ll probably try to do without tedious theory, let’s go straight to the practice of replacing the VAZ 2105 timing belt , I’ll try to describe everything in detail so that you can do it yourself.

When replacing a VAZ 2105 belt, two situations can occur:

• The belt is just old, there are visible threads, tears, etc.
• The belt is broken, you can't drive

Timing belt VAZ 2105

To begin with, I describe everything when replacing the belt, when it remains intact.

To replace the timing belt we will need:

1. Timing belt (don’t buy a cheap one, it’s been checked more than once), a roller that tensions this belt, it is also usually changed when replacing the belt
2. Keys for 10, 13, 17.30 mm
3. Direct hands, perhaps a book on car repair, if something is not clear

First, you need to release the generator mount and remove the generator belt from the pulleys; it will interfere with installing a new timing belt . To do this, you need to remove the battery, release the generator with the head at 17 and lift it up, thereby loosening the belt, remove the generator belt. I did this later, but I recommend you do it right away:

Unscrew the generator mount

Removing the generator belt

Next, you need to remove the timing belt protection; on the VAZ 2105 engine it consists of 3 parts; only the upper part is unscrewed with a 10 mm wrench.

Timing belt top section removed

The next step is to align the marks on the crankshaft and camshaft. Unlike the 2101 and 2106 engines, on the 2105 engine the mark on the camshaft pulley is not represented by a dot (as on the sprocket of the previously mentioned engines) but by a thin line, I tried to take a photo, but I don’t know if it worked. There is a casting on the camshaft, it must be combined with the pattern on the timing belt :

What to do if the belt breaks on a VAZ 2105?

But nothing, calmly buy a new belt, align the marks, install the ignition and... move on.

The designers of the VAZ 2105 engine “guessed” to install pistons with recesses in it, that is, the meeting of the piston with the valve becomes impossible.

A little advice on how to quickly install the ignition in road conditions after a broken timing belt:

— You need to install a new timing belt, align the marks.

— In this position (combining the marks at the bottom and top), ignition occurs in the first or fourth cylinder, put the slider, for example, on the 4th cylinder, fix the distributor and try to start the engine, if it fails, then swap the wires on the distributor cover — 1st cylinder with 4th, 2nd with 3rd. The engine should start.