The VAZ-21179 engine, with a working volume of 1.8 liters, traces its lineage to the proven VAZ-21127 block. It has been in production since 2016 and may appear to be a reliable choice built on a familiar base. Yet a respected voice from Za Rulem, the long-standing and authoritative Russian automotive publication, suggests the reality is not so simple, warning readers through the insights of Alexey Revin.
Beyond higher maintenance costs, the VAZ-21179 presents notable drawbacks, chief among them being the oil consumption issue. At prevailing oil prices, this behavior becomes a tangible concern for owners and service centers alike.
Engine VAZ-21179
The engine manual states that oil consumption can reach about 700 milliliters per every thousand kilometers. In practical terms, a Lada equipped with the 1.8-liter engine may require roughly 10.5 liters of oil to bridge one interval to the next oil change.
The root cause of maslozhora lies in the crank mechanism design, which limits the ability to manage this issue effectively.
Expert opinion
Alexey Revin, expert at Za Rulem, explains that the VAZ-21179 block is derived from a 1.6-liter foundation. The engineers managed a longer piston stroke by employing a larger crank and a shortened connecting rod. This configuration generates a higher lateral force on the piston against the cylinder wall and increases the piston’s linear speed. The consequence is accelerated wear on pistons and cylinders, compromising long-term durability.
To address wear, some manufacturers attempt to modify engine clearances. Yet the observed gaps when disassembling engines with mileage around 20–30 thousand kilometers reveal clearances up to 0.1 mm, compared with typical engines where gaps rarely exceed 0.03–0.04 mm. The shorter piston in this setup tends to bend into the cylinder at substantial angles, which compounds wear concerns.
Such operating patterns degrade the performance of piston rings, especially the cast-iron oil scraper with a tubular structure. The oil passages are narrow, and debris can clog them over time, further aggravating oil burn. The expert also notes that different anti-friction coatings on pistons, identifiable by a darker gray or brown tint, fail to fully solve the issue of oil consumption.
The article by Revin on related 1.8-liter engine challenges in the Lada Vesta range offers a broader context, highlighting five principal problems commonly associated with this family of engines.