Legendary GAZ Volga It is not just a car, but an era in the domestic automotive industry. For more than 60 years of history (from 1956 to 2010) on the conveyor of the Gorky Automobile Plant, 7 generations of this model have changed, and each of them received unique power units. ZMZ-21 55 hp to turbodiesel GAZ-560 Volga engines reflected the technical progress of the USSR and Russia.

But how do you make sense of this diversity? Because some engines were mounted in parallel to different modifications, others were exclusive to special versions (for example, the engine was designed for the first time). Volga GAZ-24-24 And the others are still prototypes. systematized all the engines of the Volga From the serial to the rare, with the specifications, features and pitfalls of each, you will learn which motor is considered the most reliable, which is the most voracious, and why some Volgovodiki still argue about the superiority of carburetor ZMZ over injector.

Classic engines of the first Volga (1956-1970): ZMZ-21 and its modifications

Debut GAZ-21 (1956-1970) received the engine, which became the basis for all subsequent Volgov engines. ZMZ-21It was a 2.4-liter lower-shaft 4-cylinder unit, developing 55 hp at 3600 rpm. Structurally, it inherited features from the pre-war. GMC 270The LPG was adapted to the domestic realities: ease of repair, low-octane gasoline (A-66) and minimal maintenance.

I wonder what. ZMZ-21 became the first Soviet engine with an aluminum head of a cylinder block But it led to problems with overheating: if the heat was not good, the head could drive, the gasket could burn, and the owners of the first Volga still joke, "If your 21st isn't warming, it's broken."

  • 🔧 ZMZ-21A - Basic version with single-chamber carburetor K-22GThe most common, but also the most "weak" (55 hp).
  • ⚡ ZMZ-21R - Modification for taxis with reduced compression (6.7 instead of 7.0) to work on the A-72. Power dropped to 52 hp, but the resource increased.
  • 🏁 ZMZ-21I Experimental version with injector from Bosch Only 50 copies were produced for testing.
⚠️ Attention: If you are recovering GAZ-21 motorized ZMZ-21RNow, remember, the original pistons for the A-72 are almost impossible to find today. ZMZ-21ABut then you have to pour 92nd gasoline and adjust the ignition.
Engine model Volume, l Power, HP. Torque, Nm. Fuel.
ZMZ-21A 2,4 55 156 A-66/A-72
ZMZ-21R 2,4 52 150 A-72
ZMZ-21I 2,4 65 165 AI-93
📊 Which ZMZ-21 engine do you think is the most successful?
ZMZ-21A (basic version)
ZMZ-21R (taxi)
ZMZ-21I (injector)
All bad, better VAZov

The era of GAZ-24: ZMZ-24D and its evolution (1970-1992)

With the exit. GAZ-24 In 1970, the Volga received a fundamentally new engine. ZMZ-24DIt was still the same bottom-shaft 2.4-liter unit, but with compression-enhanced and double-chambered carburetor K-126NPower increased to 95 hp, and torque - up to 182 Nm. hydraulic valve pushersThe system has saved the owners from having to adjust the gaps every 10,000 km.

But ZMZ-24D It was an Achilles' heel. oil-pumpIts performance was designed for mineral oil, and when switching to semisynthetics (especially in the 1990s) it often arose. oil-starve This led to liner wiring and overhauls, and ZMZ engineers later admitted, "We didn't expect anyone to spin a 24th engine above 4,500 rpm."

  • 🛢️ ZMZ-24-01 The A-76 version is compressed to 7.6, power to 85 hp.
  • 🔥 ZMZ-2401 Export modification with carburetor Solex electronically BoschI developed 100 hp, but I was very capricious about the quality of the fuel.
  • 🚜 ZMZ-2417 - rare option for GAZ-66 and GAZ-3307 It was powered by a crankshaft and a diesel pistons, and it was loaded to 3.5 tons.
💡

If your ZMZ-24D "eats oil" (consumption more than 1 liter per 1000 km), do not rush to disassemble the engine. sapoon The hose gets clogged with dirt, and the crankcase gases squeeze the oil through the glands, and it takes 10 minutes to clean the sapuna and can save the engine from the capital.

In 1985, the transition model was introduced. ZMZ-402 (originally) ZMZ-24D-11It was the same 24th engine, but with electronically-ignition carburettor K-151The power remained the same (95 hp), but the efficiency and stability of the work improved. ZMZ-402 It became the most popular Volgov engine - it was installed until 2006!

Revolution or error? Rotary engine VAZ-411 on the Volga GAZ-24-24

In 1978, the Gorky Automobile Plant released a unique modification. GAZ-24-24 s rotary-piston engine VAZ-411This is a motor that's based on the base. Mazda 12A, had a volume of only 1.3 liters, but developed 120 hp at 6000 rpm! Volga with such an engine accelerated to 170 km / h - an unprecedented speed for Soviet cars.

However, the rotary experiment was a failure:

  • ⚠️ Resource Officially 50 thousand km, in practice 20-30,000 km to the capital.
  • 💰 Fuel consumption 18–22 l/100 km (more than the V8 of those years!)
  • 🔧 Service - required special oil RD-M (1 L per 1000 km!) and frequent replacement of seals.

In total, about 200 copies were released. GAZ-24-24The price of these Volgas is up to 1.5 million rubles, but it is extremely expensive to keep them, as collectors joke: "Buying a rotary Volga is like marrying a beautiful woman with a chronic disease."

Why did the rotary engine wear out so quickly?

The main problem is that wear-and-wear The combustion chamber produces a microscopic oil crumb (which is fed directly into the chamber) that acts like sandpaper, and the Soviet materials could not withstand high temperatures (up to 1000°C in the combustion zone), which led to deformation of the sealing plates.

Diesel experiments: GAZ-542 and GAZ-560 (1980-1990s)

At the height of the 1980s oil crisis, ZMZ tried to build a diesel engine for the Volga. GAZ-542 - 2.5-liter atmospheric diesel with a capacity of 85 hp It was installed on the GAZ-3102 In 1986-1992, but it was very unsuccessful.

  • 🐢 Dynamics Acceleration to 100 km / h took 28 seconds (against 18 in the gasoline version).
  • 🔊 Noise. The level of vibration at idle speeds exceeded all Soviet norms.
  • ❄️ Winter launch - free of preheater PAW-12 It was impossible to start at -15°C.

The situation was corrected in 1993 with the release of GAZ-560 - turbodiesel volume of 2.1 liters and 95 hp This engine was a licensed copy of the Austrian engine Steyr M1 He was considered one of the most advanced domestic diesel engines, but his fate was decided. economic crisis of the 1990scost GAZ-31029 With GAZ-560 exceeded the price of gasoline Volga almost 1.5 times, and fuel (diesel DL) was in short supply.

Model Type Volume, l Power, HP. Consumption, l/100 km
GAZ-542 Atmospheric diesel 2,5 85 10–12
GAZ-560 turbodiesel 2,1 95 8–9
⚠️ Note: If you are considering a purchase GAZ-31029 motorized GAZ-560Make sure to check the status of the turbine. Garrett T25 They failed after 80-100 thousand km, and it is almost impossible to replace them today - new turbines do not fit on flanges.

ZMZ-406: the first injection engine of the Volga (1997-2008)

In 1997, the GAZ-3110 debuted the first domestic injector — ZMZ-406It was a revolutionary step: 16-valve head, distributed fuel injection, electronic ignition control, power increased to 110-150 hp (depending on the modification), and fuel consumption decreased to 9-11 l / 100 km.

However, ZMZ-406 It is also the most difficult engine of the Volga:

  • 🔥 Overheating Due to the unsuccessful design of the pump and thermostat, the engine often boiled.
  • 💥 Hydrocompensators - knocked after 30 thousand km, and their replacement required the removal of the HBC.
  • 🛑 EBOU - control units Mikas 5.4 and VS 5.1 They often get "sniffed" because of bad ration.

Despite the challenges, ZMZ-406 It became the basis for all subsequent Volgov engines.

  • 🔧 ZMZ-4061.10 - basic version (100 hp) for GAZ-3110.
  • ⚡ ZMZ-4063.10 - forced up to 150 hp for GAZ-3111 (only for the security services).
  • 🚗 ZMZ-4062.10 - version for UAZ Patriot. with a reinforced kneeshaft.

Condition of the belt of the HRM (break = flexion of the valves)|

Hydrocompensators (knocking on cold)|

Integrity of cooling pipes |

Indications of the onboard computer (EBU errors)->

The latest engines of the Volga: ZMZ-405 and Chrysler 2.4L (2000-2010)

In the 2000s, GAZ-31105 and GAZ-3111 There are two types of engines: domestic ZMZ-405 American Chrysler 2.4LThe first was the evolution of the 406, but with volume-extended and power of 152 hp The second - licensed copy Dodge StratusIt's a 137-hp development.

ZMZ-405 It has gained a reputation as a perpetual motion machine thanks to:

  • 🛡️ Reinforced cylinder block (wall thickness + 2 mm).
  • 🔄 Upgraded cooling system (double thermostat).
  • 💡 An electronic gas pedal (instead of a cable).

But even he is not without his shortcomings: chain They are stretched after 100,000 miles, and catalyst It is often clogged due to bad gasoline.

Chrysler 2.4L It was more technologically advanced (16 valves, phase rotators), but The main problem is the lack of spare parts.For example, the original pistons for this engine are not produced today, and analogues from the Jeep Liberty They need to rework the rods.

Parameter ZMZ-405 Chrysler 2.4L
Volume, l 2,5 2,4
Power, HP. 152 137
Consumption, l/100 km 10–12 9–11
Resource, thousand km 300–400 250–300
💡

If you choose between the ZMZ-405 and Chrysler 2.4L, remember: the American engine is more economical and quieter, but its repair will cost 2-3 times more expensive due to shortage of spare parts. Domestic 405 is easier to maintain, but requires more frequent attention to the cooling system.

Rare and experienced engines of the Volga: what remains in history

In addition to serial engines, unique units were installed on the Volga, which never went to the masses:

  • 🔬 ZMZ-401 (1992) - Experimental motor with direct injection analogue GDI10 copies were issued.
  • ⚡ ZMZ-4064 (2000) - Gas version of the 406th engine for operation on the methanePower dropped to 100 hp, but the resource grew to 500 thousand km.
  • 🚀 ZMZ-514 (2005) – 3.2-liter V6 (190 hp) for GAZ-3111It was planned as a replacement for Chrysler, but the project was closed due to the crisis.

The most mysterious remains. Volga GAZ-3111 with BMW M50 engine A 2.5-litre test was installed for one sample. BMW M50B25 (192bhp) with a box GetragThe car accelerated to 200 km / h, but the project was closed due to the high cost (the price exceeded $ 50,000).

Where can you see the rare Volgas today?

Most of the prototypes are stored in museum (Nizhny Novgorod) or private collectors. GAZ-3111 with BMW M50 Today, it belongs to the former head of AvtoVAZ and is periodically exhibited on a retro show. The price of such rarities reaches 3-5 million rubles, but their purchase requires serious investments in restoration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Volga engines

Which Volga engine is the most reliable?

According to experts and owners, ZMZ-402 (carburetor) and ZMZ-405 The first one forgives bad fuel and oil, the second one has a large resource (up to 400,000 km) with proper maintenance. GAZ-560 (diesel) is also considered "long-lasting", but it is difficult to maintain due to a shortage of spare parts.

Can I put a foreign car engine on the Volga?

Yes, but it's a big work to do.

  • Toyota 3S-FE (2.0 l, 160 hp) - fits in size, but you need to adapt the mounts and electronics.
  • Nissan SR20DE (2.0 L, 150 HP) – requires replacement of the box FS5W71C.
  • BMW M50/M52 (2.5-2.8 liters) - the most powerful option, but expensive to install (you need a new engine suspension).
It's important.: After the swap will have to re-register the car in the traffic police as "re-equipped".

What kind of gasoline to pour into the old Volga (ZMZ-21, ZMZ-24)?

For ZMZ-21 and ZMZ-24D The A-76 was officially recommended, but it's not being produced today.

  • AI-92 - safe choice, but you will have to adjust the ignition at a later time.
  • AI-80 - suitable for ZMZ-21R (Shortness 6.7), but it is difficult to find.
  • Additives. - for example, Octane Plus. to increase the octane number of AI-92 to 98-100.
⚠️ Warning: Do not pour the AI-95 or AI-98 into old carburetor Volgas under any circumstances! knock-off and the destruction of pistons.

How much oil should I put in the Volga engine?

The volume of oil depends on the engine model:

  • ZMZ-21/24D/402 6 liters (including filter).
  • ZMZ-406/405 - 6.5 liters.
  • GAZ-560 - 7 l (diesel).
  • Chrysler 2.4L - 4.7 liters.
It's important.For ZMZ-406/405 use oil 5W-30 or 10W-40 (Semi-synthetics) For older engines (ZMZ-21/24) mineral oil is suitable 15W-40.