AvtoVAZ has addressed the issue of elevated oil consumption in the 1.8-liter engine used in Lada vehicles, a problem that had stirred concern among enthusiasts and technicians alike. The clarification came through a detailed discussion on the Official Lada Club YouTube channel, where Grigory Lychev, who leads the power unit design department at AvtoVAZ JSC, outlined the steps that led to a measurable improvement in engine efficiency and oil management.
Lychev explained that the team implemented a three-component oil scraper ring, a design modification that demonstrated the highest level of effectiveness in reducing oil seepage into the combustion chamber. In addition to this mechanical upgrade, the engineers revised several peripheral components, including the valve guide bushing, the oil seal, and the lip seal. These changes collectively increased the reliability of the oil control system and lowered the likelihood of oil burning or leakage within the engine. The improvements extend to manufacturing processes as well, with added checks to ensure precise alignment of the valve guides and proper installation of the oil seals, contributing to consistent characteristics across produced units. The result, according to the expert, is a notable reduction in oil consumption for the 1.8 engine and confirmation of these gains through rigorous testing.
Beyond the technical fixes, AvtoVAZ undertook a broader requalification of affected components, replacing worn elements across the engine family to ensure uniform performance. This holistic approach reflects a shift toward a more robust engineering strategy, where both core components and supporting parts are harmonized to deliver sustained reliability. Such measures are particularly important for customers who rely on long-term maintenance predictability and lower operating costs, as the 1.8 Evo platform becomes a cornerstone of the brand’s powertrain lineup.
In terms of capabilities, the 1.8 Evo power unit delivers around 122 horsepower, embodying a balance between responsive acceleration and efficiency suitable for daily driving and longer journeys. The update program included a planned rollout of vehicles featuring the revised 1.8 engine. In December, AvtoVAZ prepared to supply 25 Lada Vesta cars with the 1.8 engine and a six-speed manual transmission for factory needs, with mass production anticipated to commence in January. The collective manufacturing effort aimed to finalize production of 1.8 engines paired with the manual gearbox by the end of 2024, signaling a strategic push to align assembly capacity with market demand and keep the model lineup competitive in the compact car segment.
The information shared by AvtoVAZ underscores a broader commitment to safety and reliability that often accompanies engine updates. By removing or mitigating previous limitations and integrating tighter quality controls, the company seeks to restore consumer confidence and reinforce the Lada Vesta’s value proposition in a crowded market. This approach also reflects ongoing collaboration with engineering teams to incorporate feedback from real-world usage into design refinements, ensuring that future batches meet elevated standards of performance, durability, and ease of maintenance.
The discussion, attributed to Grigory Lychev and documented on the Official Lada Club YouTube channel, highlights how iterative design improvements—ranging from the scraper ring to seal lip geometry and manufacturing alignment—can collectively transform an engine’s behavior. For owners and prospective buyers, the outcome is a more predictable oil consumption profile, reduced maintenance concerns, and a clearer path to long-term ownership satisfaction with the 1.8 Evo platform as a foundation for current and upcoming Lada models.