Power for the vehicle's electrical equipment while driving is provided by a generator, which operates thanks to a belt drive. Therefore, the effective operation of the unit depends on the condition of the belt. This is a consumable item that requires regular replacement. The article provides instructions on how to check and replace the belt on a Grant alternator with air conditioning.
Technical regulations for Lada Granta cars
In order to be sure that the car will not fail on the road, you should monitor its technical condition and comply with technical regulations. Maintenance consists of diagnosing vehicle systems and components, identifying and troubleshooting problems. But even if everything is in order with the car, it is necessary to carry out the routine operations provided for in the vehicle’s operating manual.
Experts recommend doing a technical inspection when purchasing a used car and every 15 kilometers. During a visual inspection, you should check the systems and components for leaks, check the reliability of fasteners, the generator voltage regulator, belt tension, and their condition. If necessary, change filters, oils, working fluids, and consumables. In order to bring the car into good working order, you need to buy all the necessary consumables in advance so that they can be replaced during inspection.
The accessory strap is a consumable item that needs to be replaced periodically. In the Lada Granta manual, the manufacturer recommends replacing the belt every 30 thousand km. Experienced drivers advise checking the condition of the belt drive at intervals of 15 thousand km.
The frequency of replacement of consumables is influenced by the following factors:
- terms of Use;
- driver's driving style;
- quality of consumables;
- serviceability of components and mechanisms;
- climatic conditions.
If the machine is operated in difficult conditions, then diagnostics should be done more often. It is recommended to do a technical inspection before a long trip so that the car does not fail along the way.
Recommendations for choosing a converter
In order to ensure stable operation of the power supply system, replace the standard KZATE converter with a BOSCH one. Despite identical technical characteristics, the workmanship of the latter is better.
Also, the BOSCH generator better “transfers” loads in the network from activated equipment, optics, and heaters.
The service life of both KZATE and BOSCH is within 90 – 110 thousand km. mileage Moderate loads and average driving speeds will increase the service life by 10 - 15%.
Self-check the condition of the alternator belt
Before replacing an implement belt, drivers should perform a visual inspection to determine if replacement is necessary. To perform diagnostics, the vehicle must be stationary. To prevent the car from rolling during inspection, clamps should be installed under the wheels. The generator belt is located in the engine compartment, and is tensioned on the pulleys of the attachment.
The entire product must be checked. Having examined one area, inspect all the others sequentially, turning the belt. You can make a mark at the place where the inspection began.
The following signs indicate the need for replacement:
- cracks and abrasions on the surface, both internal and external;
- frayed, sides;
- peeling of rubber from rubber;
- mechanical damage;
- traces of oil and working fluids are on the surface.
During inspection, you also need to check the belt tension. If it is loosely tensioned, the generator will not work at full capacity. Too much tension causes premature wear of the bearings and strap. To check the tension, press the belt in a place free from equipment. With a force of approximately 10 kg, the deflection should not be more than 7-8 cm.
If the tension is insufficient, then you need to know how to tighten the belt. The tensioner screw acts as a regulator; it is used to perform tension (video author – Remgar).
When replacing a belt, it is advisable to change the tensioner pulley, which should also be inspected. It should be free of scratches, chips, play, and deformation. The roller should rotate freely without delay. You should not neglect regularly checking the condition of the belt drive.
If the belt breaks on the way, further movement is only possible using the battery. But even if it is fully charged, you can move it for no more than one hour. Therefore, it is recommended to have a spare alternator belt in the trunk in case it breaks.
Signs of generator malfunction, ways to eliminate them
| Sign | Cause/remedy |
| The warning light on the dashboard does not light up | Open circuit in the power supply from the converter to the battery. Check the integrity of the electrical circuit |
| The warning light does not go out after the engine starts | Insufficient belt tension, insufficient tension in the chain. Measure the voltage in the circuit. |
| —/— | Worn brushes, faulty diode bridge. Measure the voltage with a multimeter and replace worn elements with new ones. |
| Short to ground | The insulation of the power cable is damaged. Check the condition of the insulating coating. |
| The converter does not produce the proper voltage of 14 V | Oxidation of terminals, cleaning with a metal brush, replacement |
| —/— | The battery is worn out, replace the battery |
| —/— | Loose belt tension. Adjust the tension. |
| —/— | Diode (rectifier) bridge is unusable, replace with a new one |
| The battery is not receiving a charge | Replacing the diode bridge with a new one |
| —/— | Rectifier failure. Replacement of components |
| Voltage drop in the network (circuit) | Checking the quality of connections of terminals and clamps. Tightening, replacing with new ones |
New Lada: Reviews of the operation of the Lada Granta air conditioner
DIY replacement instructions
A Lada Granta 8-valve car requires replacement of the alternator belt in the same way as a 16-valve car after identifying defects or according to the regulations. The procedure can be performed by a driver who does not have much experience in repair work. It is enough to have the necessary tools and basic knowledge of where the components that require replacement are located.
Tools and materials
Before replacing, you need to purchase a new alternator belt. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you should look at the catalog number in the operating instructions. It should be 1118-1041020-07. The size should be 823 mm.
You should buy originals so as not to buy a fake or low-quality product. The packaging should be marked 6РК 823. You should not save money by buying a cheaper product. A low-quality belt will not last long, and the consumables will have to be changed earlier than required by regulations. High-quality belts are produced by Bosch and Gates.
You should also buy a tensioner pulley if you decide to change it too.
In addition to consumables, you need to prepare the following tools:
- a set of keys;
- TORX E-14 head;
- long screwdriver;
- jack;
- emphasis
Stages
The procedure for replacing the generator set belt on a Lada Granta with air conditioning is complicated by the fact that the belt passes through the support of the power unit. Therefore, before putting on a new strap, it will have to be dismantled.
Replacement consists of the following steps:
- First, using a “19” wrench, you need to loosen the lock nut of the strap tensioner lead screw. While unscrewing the locknut, hold the screw with the head at “8”.
- To loosen the belt tension, rotate the lead screw in the direction of movement clockwise. By following these steps, you can adjust the tension of the accessory drive belt.
- To replace the strap, you need to remove the right engine mount.
- Having moved under the car, you need to dismantle the right and middle protective shields of the engine compartment.
- Then unscrew the fastenings in the middle and front part of the right front wheel arch liner. Next, bend the fender liner behind the wheel brake disc.
- Using a jack, we hang the right front wheel and dismantle it. The fender liner fastenings can now be released.
- At the next stage, we place a stop under the oil pan of the power unit so that it holds the weight of the engine.
- Using a TORX E-14 head, unscrew the screws that secure the support to the cylinder block bracket of the power unit. Using the “17” socket, unscrew the two nuts and the support bolt that secures it to the body side member.
- We dismantle the engine mount with the cushion.
- Now, through the resulting opening, you can remove the strap from the pulleys of the auxiliary units and pull it out of the engine compartment.
- We install a new consumable in place of the worn-out product. In this case, its tension should be adjusted using the tensioner screw. The deflection of the belt in the gap between the air conditioner compressor and the power unit pulley with a force of 10 kilograms should be within 7-8 mm.
- We perform assembly in the reverse order of removal.
This completes the replacement. Now you know how to replace and tighten the generator set belt on a Lada Granta.
Photo gallery
1. Loosen the adjusting screw.
2. Unscrew the fastenings of the fender liner.
3. Remove the strap from the pulleys.
4. Check the quality of tension.
Reviews
| № | Positive |
| 1. | Victor: This is my second year driving a Lada Granta, there are no complaints, the mechanisms work properly. At 35,000 km I tightened the converter belt. I didn’t contact the service, I did everything on my own. |
| 2. | Vitaly: I’ve been actively using the car for three years now, I haven’t made any special investments, only the purchase of consumables, oils, filters. I think it is important to comply with technical inspection deadlines and buy original parts. |
| 3. | Ivan: I bought a car at the dealership, the managers recommended strictly observing the maintenance deadlines. I don’t break rules, I always put down marks on time. I take care of my equipment and treat it with care. |
| 4. | Kirill: at 45,000 km I tightened the converter belt and visited the service center. The master assured that the old one was still worth several tens of thousands. |
| 5. | Valentin: during the year of using the car, the converter creaked once, I thought about changing it, but the creaking disappeared on its own. There are no complaints about quality, all mechanisms work properly. |
| 6. | Ignat: at 97,000 km I replaced the converter belt. I consider the resource quite worthy of a domestic car. |
| 7. | Vladislav: I’ve heard negative criticism of the Lada Grant, but I can’t confirm it, since the car works like a watch. I systematically carry out inspections, fill in high-quality oils, and do not exceed the speed limit. |
| Negative | |
| 1. | Gennady: for the first time the converter flew 40,000 km. I visited the service center and they replaced it under warranty. We'll see how long the new one lasts. |
| 2. | Vasily: despite the manufacturer’s warranty of 100,000 km, my generator lasted only 60,000 km. The workmanship is low. The Granta model is raw, not run-in. |
| 3. | Ignat: I do not recommend the Lada Granta, since during the year of use I visited the service station twice unscheduled for diagnostics and replacement. In addition, the generator failed ahead of schedule. |
Conclusion
The service life of a standard generator is 95 – 100 thousand km. In rare cases, the resource is reduced by 15 - 20%. The main reasons for premature wear:
- short circuit in the circuit;
- insufficient tension of the converter belt;
- poor contact on power cables;
- moisture, oil, water, antifreeze got inside the generator, which resulted in failure.
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| Video - Removing a generator from a Granta without a pit in 5 minutes |
