Replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115 stove without removing the panel

With the onset of the first colds, every decent car owner should pay enough attention to the heating system of his car. Especially if we are talking about machines of domestic production. I do not want to say anything bad about our car industry, but it often happens that it is our cars before the winter begin to "be capricious."

The heating system is the weakest place of all VAZs. Forever breaking and the current tap, problems with the drive of the fan, malfunctioning with the heater - this is not the whole list of problems that arise precisely when the cooling begins.

In this article we will talk about what constitutes an independent replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115. Photos of the replacement process are presented below.

Design features of the heating system VAZ-2115

The heating system of the cabin in the fifteenth model, as, indeed, for all representatives of the family "Samara", consists of:

• Heater, which includes in its design a plastic housing (casing), a radiator and a fan (electric motor with an impeller);
• Crane blocking the access of coolant (coolant) to the radiator, and its mechanical drive (lever on the control panel and cable);
• Devices for controlling the operation of the fan (regulator on the instrument panel).

How the VAZ-2115 is heated

In summer, in order to prevent the cabin from overheating, drivers block the heater's cock, moving the lever of its drive to the appropriate position, thereby closing the flow of heated coolant to the radiator of the VAZ-2115. In other words, antifreeze or antifreeze circulates in the system bypassing the heater.

In cold weather, the faucet is opened, and the coolant moves through the heating radiator, heating it. To supply heated air to the interior, a fan is used that blows out the heat sink fins and can operate in three different power modes.

Malfunctions of a radiator of a heater

In cars VAZ-2115 the following faults of the heating radiator are most often encountered:

• Leak (breach of the device's tightness);
• Obstruction (the formation of a plug caused by the deposition of scale or mud).

Symptoms of the main faults of the heater radiator

The flow of coolant from the radiator is difficult to see, since the device itself is hidden from our eyes deep behind the instrument panel. In addition, it is also in the case of the heater. The signs of a radiator leak may be either a decrease in the coolant level in the expansion tank in the absence of visible leakage, or wet spots on the carpet in the passenger compartment. The flow of antifreeze or antifreeze into the interior is accompanied by a specific odor, as well as the formation of a greasy matte film on the windshield of the car.

The obstruction of the heater radiator is most often the result of the use of a poor-quality and cheap cooling liquid or entering the mud system. Also, the plug may arise due to the prolonged use of the device. Its sign is the flow of cold air from the deflectors when the heater's cock is open and the fan is running. Diagnosis of obstruction can be done by touching the inlet and outlet nozzle of the radiator in the engine compartment. If the first hot, and the second cold - the fault is present.

Repair or replacement

Having determined such problems, you will probably ask a question about whether it is possible to repair or nevertheless it will be necessary to replace the radiator of the VAZ-2115 stove. It is possible to solve it, only having established, from what metal it is made. Radiators can be made from either copper or aluminum. The first, of course, are more expensive, but they last much longer, and in some cases they can be repaired (to seal the depressurization point). Aluminum models are less reliable, but more common because of the low price.

In any case, the first thing to do is to remove the radiator of the VAZ-2115, and then to plan further actions.

What tools and tools will be needed to remove and install the heater radiator

Tools require a set of spanners and a Phillips screwdriver. Also, you need a tank to drain the coolant (volume of at least 5 liters with a wide mouth) and a rag.

Replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115 stove should be carried out using a lift or a pit.

Preparatory work

To begin with, the engine of the car is recommended to warm up a little. Installing the machine on a pit or lifting it on the lift, you need to remove the engine protection.

Before replacing the radiator of the VAZ-2115, you must drain the coolant from the system. Having determined the location of the drain plug on the cylinder block (do not mix it with the oil on the crankcase), substitute the prepared container, and then turn it away. When the coolant drains, the plug must be screwed.

Next, we will look at how the radiator of the VAZ-2115 stove is replaced with our own hands. The task is not simple, but it is quite feasible.

Dismantle the heater radiator

Getting to the heater "fifteenth" is quite difficult. To do this, you usually have to dismantle the entire instrument panel. Here the designers of VAZ have done their best to ensure that our motorist, faced with one problem, immediately thought about the following.

Replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115 without removal of the panel, in principle, is possible, but requires participation in the process of an assistant.

We start with the fact that we unscrew the central screw fixing the dashboard to the body. It is located in the middle at the top and is closed with a plastic plug. Then unscrew the screws securing the glove box and the left plastic cover covering the additional mounting block (on the passenger seat). Then unscrew the two screws that secure the central part of the instrument panel to the floor. Then it is necessary to remove the control cable for the crane of the heater, as well as the two control cables for the flaps. From the driver's side we find three screws fixing the radiator cover, and unscrew them.

Replacing the radiator fryer VAZ-2115 without removing the panel implies its small displacement deep into the cabin. Only in this way you can get to the heater. Before removing the plastic tips of the control levers of the stove, pull the panel towards you. If all the screws are unscrewed, it must be amenable to displacement. In the formed between the right side of the panel and the body, insert some object, for example, an empty plastic bottle. So the heater will remain in the pushed state.

By replacing the radiator tubes with a container, loosen the clamps of their fastening. At this time, a small amount of coolant may flow out, so we carry out all work with the utmost care.

Only after draining the antifreeze or antifreeze the radiator can be removed from the heater housing. Here you will need an assistant who will need to lift the panel up.

Replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115 without removal of the panel: photo, description

After the removal of the radiator, you should not really relax, because putting a new device in place is a more complicated process. Start it by calling an assistant and asking him, as with dismantling, to lift the panel up. Replacing the radiator of the VAZ-2115 requires special care - if not properly installed, it can be damaged, and then you have to start all over again. After replacing the new heater, make sure that it has entered the lid itself, otherwise it will not be possible to secure it. Then fix the radiator with three screws.

Next, you need to connect the input and output hoses to it. In order to put them on easier, moisten them with soapy water. If the hoses are damaged (tears, cracks), replace them with new ones. The same applies to clamps. Connect the heater control cables to the control panel levers . Check their work. The instrument panel is screwed until you are in a hurry.

What should happen in the end?

After the replacement of the radiator of the VAZ-2115 stove has been successfully carried out, it is necessary to check the efficiency of the entire heating system, as well as the tightness of the connections. To do this, fill the reservoir with coolant to the required level. Start the engine and warm it up. Turn on the heater fan and open its cock. Warm air from the deflectors indicates that the coolant normally passes through the radiator. But that is not all. Try hand heating radiator hoses. They both need to be hot. Make sure that the clamps are tight enough that the liquid does not leak at the points of their connections with the nozzles. If everything is in order, you can start screwing the control panel.

Helpful Tips

I would also like to give some useful tips on how to extend the life of the heater radiator.

1. Do not skimp on the coolant. Cheap coolant is the main cause of problems with the heater radiator.
2. Systematically check the coolant level. This will not only help to identify its leakage, but also protect the engine from overheating.
3. In summer, at least once a month, open the heater tap to allow the coolant to enter the radiator. Such a solution will prevent the locking mechanism of the crane from turning sour, and also allow the radiator not to "dry out".
4. When replacing the coolant, be sure to flush the system with a special liquid. This will slow down the process of scale deposition.
5. Having identified the system problems, do not delay repairs.