Operating a car in Russia often involves the risk of damage to the lower part of the body, and VAZ 2115 is no exception. Engine protection In standard equipment, often missing or made of insufficiently durable materials, making the crankcase vulnerable to impacts of stones, curbs and roughness of the road surface, ignoring this issue can lead to expensive repairs, especially if the oil pan or the cylinder block itself is broken.
Owners of "spots" often wonder whether it is worth spending money on an additional accessory. The answer is unequivocal: the cost of a quality protection sheet is incommensurable with the cost of repairing a damaged engine. VAZ 2115How to choose the right model for a specific type of engine and carry out the DIY installation.
It is important to understand that the right choice of protection is not just buying a piece of metal, but a comprehensive solution that affects the cooling and weight of the car. For engines with a volume of 1.5 and 1.6 liters (8 and 16 valves), the geometry of the mounts can differ significantly, which requires careful approach when ordering a part. We will look at all the details to ensure that your car is protected.
Why you need additional protection for the crankcase at VAZ 2115
A regular plastic locker or thin sheet of metal, which is sometimes found in the factory, is only intended to improve aerodynamics slightly and protect against splashes. However, when faced with a serious obstacle, such as a sticking out reinforcement or a high curb, such a barrier instantly breaks down. Carter engine remains open for direct mechanical action, which is fraught with loss of oil and stopping the engine on the go.
Installation of reinforced protection allows not only to protect the pallet from breakdown, but also to redistribute the load when hitting the power elements of the body. Lada SamaraAnd the quality defense takes the hit, preventing the critical nodes from deforming.
⚠️ Warning: Even with protection, you don't have to try your luck and specifically ram obstacles at high speed. The inertia of a heavy car can transmit a blow through the protection to the engine block, causing cracks in the metal.
In addition, the extra plate reduces the noise that enters the cabin from the engine and transmission, which makes the trip more comfortable, especially on the highway. noiseproofing It improves, and less dust and dirt gets into the cabin.
- 🛡️ Prevents breakdown of oil pallet and loss of lubrication
- 🔧 Protects the transmission from mechanical damage
- ❄️ Improves engine blowing in winter but requires control in summer
- 🔇 Reduces noise and vibration in the cabin
Materials review: steel, aluminum or composite
The choice of material is always a compromise between strength, weight and price. VAZ 2115 There are three main types of protection, each of which has its own specifications of operation.
Steel protections are the most popular because of their affordable price and high strength, and are usually made of cold-rolled steel 2-3 mm thick. Steel It bends well, absorbing the impact energy, but is susceptible to corrosion. If the protective coating (powder paint) is damaged by a stone, the rust can quickly spread.
Aluminum analogs are generally made of AMG (aluminum-magnesium) alloys, which are much lighter than steel, which has a positive effect on fuel consumption and acceleration dynamics. aluminum It does not rust, but it costs more and can crack rather than deform like steel when hit very hard.
Composite protections (polymers) are less common, they have excellent noise insulation and are not susceptible to corrosion, but their cost often exceeds the price of the engine itself. VAZ 2115For a budget car, this is rarely a justified investment.
| Materials | Weight (roughly) | Strength | Corrosion | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (2 mm) | 7-8 kg | High. | Possibly. | Low. |
| Aluminum (4-6 mm) | 4-5 kg | Medium/High | No. | Medium |
| Composite | 3-4 kg | Medium | No. | High. |
Preparation for installation: tools and safety
Before you start, you have to prepare the workplace, and you'll have to have an observation pit or a flyover, because it's a long and uncomfortable time to work with jacks, and if you don't have a hole, you'll have to lift the front of the car and fix it securely on the stands.
You'll need a standard toolkit. You'll need to focus on the condition of the bolts, because they often stick on older cars, and you'll need to pre-treat the threaded joints with a penetrating lubricant, like WD-40, and leave them for 15 to 20 minutes.
☑️ Tools for installation of protection
Keep in mind safety. Work is done under the car, so keeping the vehicle secure is critical. Safety glasses protect the eyes from rust and dirt falling from the bottom, and gloves will prevent injuries to the hands on the sharp edges of the metal.
⚠️ Warning: Never work under a car that is only supported by a jack. Use only reliable stops or lift the car on a lift.
Step-by-step instructions for installing protection
The installation of protection VAZ 2115 It doesn't require any technical skill, but it requires care, first, you need to dismantle the old protection (if you have one) or make room for a new one, and unscrew the splash bolts and the slats if they interfere with access to the spars.
Try on the new protection to the body. It's important to make sure that all the holes match the mounting points. Often the geometry of the body after repairs or just changes a little from time to time, and the holes may not match a couple of millimeters, in which case you can carefully expand them with a drill.
Bolt tightening order:1. Central bolt (closer to the engine)
2. Side bolts of fastening to sparrows
Rear bolts (near the transmission)
4. Final stretch of all bolts with a force of 60-80 Nm
When installing, make sure that the protection does not touch the exhaust manifold, the clearance should be at least 10-15 mm for normal air circulation, if the protection lies too tight, you may need to bend the edges or use thicker washers.
What to do if the bolts don't fit?
Often, the package comes with universal bolts that can be longer than the regular ones. If the regular bolts are rusted and not twisted, they are better drilled out. New bolts must be of a strength class of at least 8.8 to withstand vibration and load.
Features of installation on 8 and 16 valve engines
Engines. VAZ 2114/2115 On 16-valve engines, the gearbox and the engine itself may have a slightly different pallet shape and the location of the anchor points. Engine protection For the 8-valve version, you may not stand on the 16-valve without modifications.
The main difference lies in the area of the junction of the engine and gearbox. 16-valve models often require protection with a cutout for an additional sensor or a modified shape of the "language" going to the box.
- 🔩 Check the length of the bolts: 16 cl. may require washers
- 📏 Make sure there is a cutout for the oil drain (if it is on protection)
- 🚗 Pay attention to the shape of the edges of the wheel arches
If you are installing protection on an air-conditioned car, make sure the sheet does not block access to the air-conditioner's mains or radiator if it is located low. In some cases, protection with additional process holes is required.
When installed on a 16-valve engine, use copper greases to thread bolts - this will make it easier to unscrew them when the next oil change or protection is removed.
Operation and maintenance of the protective sheet
After installation, the protection requires minimal maintenance, but it should not be forgotten: in winter, snow and reagents are stuffed into the space between the protection and the engine, which can accelerate the corrosion of both the sheet and body elements, it is recommended to remove the protection for bottom washing at least once a season.
Check the bolt tightening regularly. Engine vibrations and bumps about roughness can weaken the mounts. Test throttle If you notice that the protection has started to rattle or vibrate, check the rubber cushions (if designed) or add washers.
Regular check of tightening of bolts and cleaning of dirt prolong the service life of protection and prevent corrosion of the body.
If you have chipped paint on the protective layer, paint it with anticort or conventional nitro paint immediately, and this will prevent the development of rust, which can eventually destroy even 3-millimeter steel. VAZ 2115 This is especially true because of the age of most cars.
How often do I need to remove the protection to change the oil?
Remove the protection every time you change the oil is not necessary, if it provides a technological hole for the drain plug. However, once in 2-3 substitutions, it is recommended to remove the sheet completely to conduct an audit of the state of the engine, check the glands and clean up the accumulated dirt.
Does protection affect fuel consumption?
Yes, it does, but it's minimal. A steel sheet weighing 7-8 kg increases the weight of the car, which theoretically increases the flow rate. But aluminum protection, being lighter than regular plastic or old rusty protection, can even reduce the flow slightly. The impact on aerodynamics at speeds up to 110 km / h is almost imperceptible.
Can I make a steel shield if it bursts?
Yes, conventional steel protection can be electrically welded into cracks, aluminum is harder to boil, requires argon welding and skill, and if the crack is in the middle of the sheet, it's easier to buy a new one because the structure of the metal is already broken.
Does the engine heat up in winter?
It's a common myth. The metal sheet, on the contrary, helps the engine cool down more quickly in the parking lot because of purification, but when it moves, it cuts off the cold oncoming air flow, allowing the engine to move. VAZ 2115 Get to working temperature faster and keep warm longer at short stops.