What owners of a Lada Priora car need to know (main “diseases” of the car, useful tips, operating methods)

The solution to the problem is based on the cause of the problem. If you leave your battery in your car in the cold, draining it may be the best possible outcome.

Therefore, do not be lazy to remove the battery and take it to a warm apartment for the night if your car lives on the street or in an unheated garage.

As for motor oil, this is a common mistake made by novice car enthusiasts. I bought the car in the summer, with summer oil, and even mineral oil, but did not drain it before the frost. So it freezes, and quite quickly. If you are faced with such a problem, there is nothing you can do. There is a temporary solution, but it is quite dangerous. You need to pour a little gasoline into the oil filler neck and crank the crankshaft with the starter several times, and then leave the car for 24 hours. The oil will become less thick, but in this case you will soon have to change:

1. Rings.
2. Oil caps.

Therefore, immediate advice for novice car enthusiasts: with the onset of frost, drain the mineral oil from the engine. The sooner you do this, the lower the risk of a problem occurring. Experienced drivers advise using semi-synthetics for the winter, which can withstand much lower temperatures.

Other reasons why a car won't start

If you are sure that everything is in order with the battery and oil, then you need to consider other possible causes of failure. It is quite possible that they will require additional time and effort from you. Let's look at the most common phenomena:

• problems with the fuel system. There can be many reasons for this, ranging from problems with the fuel pump to freezing of water in the fuel rail;
• failure of the antifreeze temperature control sensor, which also prevents the engine from starting when cold. In this case, it will need to be replaced;
• lack of tightness in the injectors. Depressurization is allowed at the level of 1-2 drops per minute, but no more. If depressurization occurs, the pressure in the fuel rail will quickly decrease after the engine stops, so if you manage to start, be sure to monitor this. In this case, you will have to install new injectors.

Separately, it is necessary to consider such a case as a drop in compression in the cylinders. Signs of a malfunction are easy to notice by the car’s behavior: engine power and dynamic performance drop significantly. The engine may rev and consume more fuel. It is not difficult to identify the problem; this requires a special device - a compression meter. It is recommended to visit a service station, where they will take measurements in compliance with all the rules, or you can do it at home.

If the pressure in the cylinders has collapsed, this often indicates wear and tear on the engine as a whole. Actually, there is a fairly simple way to check your guess. It is necessary to pour 1 tablespoon of oil into the hole for the candle, and then repeat the measurements. The results may be as follows:

1. Sudden jump. This indicates that the piston rings are depressurized.
2. Indications unchanged. There can be a lot of reasons for this, ranging from lack of valve tightness to burnout of the combustion chamber.

If the cylinder pressure is normal, then you need to take the car to a service station and carry out in-depth diagnostics of the engine; the problem is very serious.

The car doesn't start well

If the car doesn't start well when it's cold, it means it's not all that bad. The reasons are completely removable even at home. As a rule, the problems lie in the following:

• disgusting quality of gasoline. If the gas station overdilutes it, there will be too much water in the tank. Try visiting another gas station;
• ignition problems. It is often difficult to start the engine due to problems with high-voltage wires and spark plugs;
• oxygen sensor malfunction.

One of the most popular cars on the Russian market produced by AvtoVAZ is the budget car LADA Priora. As is typical for all cars, Priora has undergone many improvements and changes since its entry into the market, but unfortunately its vulnerabilities remain. Therefore, the weaknesses, diseases and shortcomings of the domestic car Lada Priora will be considered further. In this material there will be no mention of the engine and gearbox, since there are cases of failure of individual elements of these units, but this is not a widespread phenomenon.

Should you pay attention to the little things in Priora?

On forums and from car experts, you can hear that it is worth checking the suspension in detail, taking into account every detail of the car before transferring money. This is an ideal option, but such a complex of verification work will take more than one day, and no buyer will agree to this. Therefore, it is not necessary to check small suspension components, the tightness of the muffler and other issues on the Priora - all of this is actively failing. But the following details are worthy of your attention:

• the condition of the interior plastic - if there are scratches on the parts, you will drive and look at them for a very long time, so it is worth eliminating this unpleasant problem in your car;
• the condition of the steering wheel is not only aesthetics, but also an assessment of the quality of use; the steering wheel should not be too cracked and ugly on a car with a mileage of 50,000 km;
• seat upholstery is again an important factor, since you will not change either the seats or the upholstery on this car, budget cars are bought to drive, not to spend money;
• door cards, ceiling and other elements - all this is very expensive in the store, you will not exchange parts for new ones, and driving with ugly ones is very unpleasant, considering the money given;
• the operation of all locks, including the ignition switch, as well as the normal operation of the alarm and other elements, otherwise problems with electronics and mechanical parts will drive you crazy.

Weaknesses of LADA Priora

• Thermostat;
• Electric power steering;
• Electronics in general;
• CV joints and support bearings;
• Sensors;
• Ignition coil;
• Fuel pump fuse;
• Voltage regulator.

Now more details...

The thermostat is one of the problem areas of the Lada Priora engine cooling system. Even before the required service life of the thermostat, a failure of the thermostat valve may occur. Therefore, the most unpleasant thing is that you must constantly monitor the engine temperature indicator. The main reasons why a thermostat may fail are scale, dirt and corrosion. When purchasing, you need to ask the owner when this element in the cooling system was last replaced. And for the future, it is necessary to fill only high-quality coolant.

Electric power steering.

Before purchasing, you need to check the operation of the electric booster during a test run. If there are jerks or when turning it becomes noticeably harder to steer, then these are the most important signs of failure of the electric power steering. It is important to know that on most Priora cars, the fault may not lie in the electric power steering itself, but in the contacts. Therefore, in the future, if a similar problem occurs, it is necessary to check and clean the contacts.

Electronics.

As with earlier releases of the Priora, the electronics to this day do not surprise the owners of these cars with their quality. First of all, the window regulators may fail. Further trouble can be caused by a heater fan, etc. It is important to remember that eliminating “jambs” in electronics is not such an expensive job, but in this case one thing causes irritation - the frequency of their occurrence.

CV joints and support bearings.

The problem with CV joints is known to all owners of these cars firsthand. Indeed, quite often CV joints cause a lot of trouble, although the manufacturer is assured that CV joints are made of durable materials. Therefore, we can conclude that this is a design flaw. When inspecting and checking a car before purchasing, you should also drive, listen and feel if there is a characteristic crunching sound when turning or sharply accelerating. It is important to remember that often, even with the mileage of a warranty vehicle, CV joints failed in the region of 2000-5000 km. mileage

Everything is clear with bearings too. But in this case, I would like to say that this element is subjected to heavy loads and is the main working element of the upper support of the front shock absorber. But again it was possible to install more wear-resistant bearings. A characteristic sign of failure of the “support” is knocking sounds at the top of the strut when driving over uneven surfaces.

Engine sensors in particular.

Sensors are a really serious disease of the Lada Priora. Moreover, these elements can fail, regardless of the service life and mileage of the car, and may recur periodically. You need to know this before buying a car.

Voltage regulator.

The voltage regulator can be said to be unfinished. There is no escape from this and you will have to come to terms with it, although some craftsmen improve it themselves and the problem with frequent battery discharge disappears. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to know about this and ask the seller whether any work was done in this direction during the period of its operation.

Fuel pump fuse.

Often on a Priora the fuel pump fuse may fail. It is worth noting that this element is not an expensive item, but it does cause problems. A sign of failure is a noticeable phenomenon - it is simply impossible to start the car.

Ignition coil.

Everyone knows the concept of an engine stalling - so the ignition coil has probably failed. The motor does not start to operate at full power.

Like most domestic cars, the paintwork on the Priora is not famous for its quality. The arches of the front and rear wheels, as well as the bottom of the front and rear doors, are most susceptible to corrosion. When purchasing a car, you need to inquire whether the previous owner treated it with anti-corrosion mastic. Otherwise, this must be done after purchase.

The main disadvantages of the Lada Priora (VAZ-2170)

1. Very poor sound insulation;
2. Poor build quality inside (“crickets”, etc.);
3. Uneven distribution of air flows for the driver when the heater is turned on;
4. Low spare parts resource;
5. Little space for rear passengers.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, we can say that according to the majority of LADA Priora owners, this car is worth the money. Yes! There are often individual elements that fail, but their price is not exorbitant. The most important thing when purchasing is to responsibly inspect and check the car for the absence of visible and invisible defects.

PS: Write in the comments about the shortcomings and weak points of your car.

Weaknesses and disadvantages of the Lada Priora (VAZ-2170) was last modified: October 19, 2021 by Administrator

Often Russian car enthusiasts who drive a Lada Priora complain that the heater is not working well, the vehicle interior is cool, and the car’s side and windshield windows are freezing. In order to understand why the stove on the Priora stopped working, let’s look at the design of the entire heating system on cars of this modification.

Brief review of Lada Priora (VAZ-2170)

The Russian car of the VAZ 2170 brand - Lada Priora has been produced since 2007.
in a sedan. In 2008 VAZ-2171 - Lada Priora Universal and VAZ-2172 - Lada Priora Hatchback equipment appeared. From 2021 Sales of the three-door hatchback Lada Priora Coupe have begun. The price range for cars is 300-375 thousand rubles. Among the advantages of the brand, it is worth noting the affordable price, relatively inexpensive spare parts, and ease of operation. The cars are great to drive.

There are also disadvantages: a rattling and noisy car interior combined with poor sound insulation.

Initially, manufacturers announced the Priora (VAZ-2170) as a restyling of the “tens” (VAZ-2110). But at present, Lada Priora has almost nothing in common with the tenth model; absolutely everything has undergone changes.

The Lada Priora has a powerful 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 98 “horses” that meets Euro-3 standardization requirements. In addition, the car is equipped with power steering and a special suspension adapted to domestic road conditions.

If we nevertheless carry out a comparative analysis with the VAZ-2110, the Priora is a more interesting model developed by the Italians. The car's suspension requires quite frequent repairs; it is not possible to heavily load the car and drive beyond 100 kilometers.

The space in the cabin is also not enough for a close-knit family, and the trunk is also not particularly roomy. For 100 km, the car consumes 9 liters of fuel in urban areas, and 6 on the highway.

The interior design of the Lada Priora is quite nice. The front instrument panel, made of soft plastic, resembles the equipment of foreign cars. In addition, the number of so-called "plastic joints".

There are no complaints about the design and design of the front panel, everything is at the proper level. However, the model has a steering wheel that is not easy to use, which takes some time to get used to.

Among the advantages, one can note the presence of an electric power steering on the steering wheel, which allows for good maneuverability when cornering.

Numerous Priora car owners prefer the model for its ease of maintenance, affordable price, economical gas mileage, acceptable engine and good maneuverability on the road. But no one hides the presence of a number of shortcomings.

Among them: poorly closing doors, poor quality parts, poor sound insulation. Although there is a filter, when driving on dusty roads, the cabin sucks in some of the dirty air. Car electronics are subject to frequent breakdowns and glitches.

Well, there is not enough space inside the cabin; it is problematic to go somewhere with the family.

Priora interior heating system

The vehicle is equipped with a stove (heating system) with a climate control system that provides comfort while traveling in the car. They are designed to eliminate problems in the event of cold weather or other weather changes. No one will ask the question why the stove in the Priora does not work, neither the driver nor the passengers.

The car's climate control system includes:

• the stove itself (heater);
• stove fan device;
• temperature sensor in the cabin;
• air distributor housing;
• airways;
• deflectors (directing the flow of air masses).

The air flow from the stove is transmitted to the housing part of the air distributor, from where it is directed along air lines. Through the air ducts, the flow flows to the windshield grilles of the windshield and side windows, to the air mass flow guides in the center and side of the dashboard, as well as to the lower plane of the cabin to the floor pans on the bottom of the body. With the advent of frost, defects in the heating system appear, the most unpleasant of which is that the Lada Priora stove does not work and other malfunctions.

Car heating system malfunctions

In a Lada Priora car, the heater regulator does not work due to a malfunction of the multi-position switch or a defect in the blower fan. When troubleshooting this problem, when the Priora stove fan does not work, you should look at the fuse box, which is the main source of trouble for the operation of the ventilation device. Many defects in a car's climate system are directly related to the operation of the vehicle's cooling system.

If the fan device is in good working order, but the stove on the Priora does not heat well, then the defect should be looked for by a sequential method of cutting off the tested elements. So, the stove on the Priora is not working well and the interior is quite cool:

First stage

: with the engine brought to the optimal temperature, we check the 2 pipes connected to the heater for temperature values. If both products are hot, then there is no circulation of air masses, and if one pipe is hot and the other is cold, then this indicates a lack of circulation of the aqueous solution in the system. We carry out diagnostics of the heater tap in order to deal with the cooling system solution (water, antifreeze).

For this purpose, open the hood and move the tap from one position to another. If there is a leak from the heating system, then it must be eliminated, because... an insufficient amount of coolant can provoke a situation where cold air blows from the Priora’s stove and the cabin becomes cool. If the tap is rusty and cannot be adjusted, you can leave it in this position during the summer when the heating system is not in use. Closer to cold weather it needs to be replaced.

Second phase

: when the tap is in the working position and the stove refuses to work, remove the filler plug of the radiator tank and check for the presence of coolant fluid. In case of formation of the so-called “plugs from the air”, we bring the coolant level to the maximum value (sometimes it happens that in a Priora cold air blows from the stove due to a lack of coolant). After this, we turn on the power plant and sharply press the accelerator pedal several times, which will provoke a coolant circulation and, under its influence, the water pump will squeeze out the air layer plug.

In order for the air masses to move faster to the output level, it is necessary to drive onto an elevation so that the radiator is lower than the radiator of the cooling system. So, cooler circulation has been restored, 2 pipes have become hot, but the stove on the Priora still doesn’t work well?

Third stage

: the dampers may not be working, because an open lever on the instrument panel does not mean at all that the dampers have duplicated this command. Failure of the dampers may be associated with loosening of the fastenings of the heater rods and taps, which blocks them in summer mode.

With the hood open, it wouldn’t hurt to check whether the Priora’s heater dampers are working or not, and also to clean the heater from last year’s debris and leaves. If, even after these cleaning measures, the system does not work well or does not function at all, then we go directly to the pipes.

Fourth stage

: we check the temperature conditions of the pipes with the stove on. If the fan is in working condition, two pipes are hot, but one begins to cool down after a while - it is necessary to change the water pump due to poor coolant circulation. Some car enthusiasts manage to install a small water pump under the heater radiator.

Having started testing the heating system, we bring the technological process to the end:

1. The coolant level in the expansion tank should be between o and “max”.
2. We test the coolant circulation process in the expansion tank. Its absence is determined as a defect in the water pump or clogging of the cooling complex.

This completes the diagnostics of the heating system.

To be honest, the Lada Priora is an excellent car. But sometimes, like with any other car, troubles happen. For example, starting is difficult. This can happen in the morning and after the trip. What is the reason for such problems? And there are many reasons for this. And this article will tell you how to deal with it.

Attention! Lada Priora is a car with a distributed fuel injection system. That is, the process is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU), so you need to remember that computer diagnostics is in any case the most reliable way to check.

What to do after you bought a Priora?

A used Priora is a good choice for little money. But after the purchase you will have to work a little more on the car. The first step is to replace all technical fluids, including engine and gearbox oils, antifreeze, and brake fluid. You should not trust the previous owner, since it is rare on the market to find a car with original mileage and normal quality of service. The following processes follow:

• diagnostics of the chassis, which will show a number of faults, it is worth eliminating all of them and obtaining decent quality of operation of the vehicle for the next couple of years;
• mandatory diagnostics of the braking system, as well as the clutch, in order to immediately eliminate all troubles, you can at the same time change the pads, installing known high-quality solutions;
• computer diagnostics of the electrical system with clarification of all details of the vehicle’s condition, if this diagnostic was not carried out before purchasing the vehicle;
• checking the actual mileage using computer systems, as well as setting this mileage on the odometer so as not to miss the next maintenance, or, in extreme cases, resetting the mileage;
• Constant monitoring of rust formation on the body in order to timely protect against damage and eliminate minor troubles, preventing the destruction of body metal.

Some nuances can only be clarified after a certain period of operation. For example, after a dozen trips you may notice that the gearbox is a little humming. However, for a VAZ box this is a completely acceptable condition. The engine can also eat oil. And this is not a global problem for Priora. Therefore, you should not panic, but just find out the reason for such peculiarities in the behavior of your car.

Watch a video on the topic of choosing and buying a used Priora:

Main types of “bad” launch

Typically, experienced drivers immediately assess the malfunction in the following way: “Poor hot start.” That is, it is clear that there are 3 types of bad startup:

1. Poor cold starting.
2. It starts poorly when the engine is hot.
3. Doesn't start well in any condition.

This means that these three types have their own characteristics, although they are united by one sign - the car is difficult to start. But in the first case, this only happens when the car has cooled down. Either this is the first start in the morning, or the Priora has been sitting long enough for the engine to cool down completely, or it is a harsh winter.

In the second case, the Priora does not start immediately, but only after several full turns of the crankshaft with the starter only when the engine temperature is above 90 degrees. That is, a fully warmed up engine. Usually after some mileage.

Well, the third option is when Priora is capricious in any conditions. Be it in the morning, at lunch or in the evening, on a cold or hot engine. Here we will consider the minimum possibilities that the owner has to solve this problem on his own.

Hot

So, the car drove some distance. In the morning it started up with a half-turn, and forward. But then some distance was covered, a stop was made, the key was turned to “start” and... Several painful revolutions, and only then the engine started working. What's happened? As a rule, there can be many reasons. Conventionally, they can be divided into groups:

• The fuel system is acting up.
• Errors or breakdowns of sensors or actuators of the control system.
• Engine wear.

Attention! The first group has its own characteristics when manifested in all forms. When it is difficult to start hot, cold and in both cases.

The first step is to check the presence of fuel in the injector frame. Gasoline supply is the most likely cause of problems. To do this, you need to open the hood and remove the decorative trim from the engine. The intake manifold runs between the engine and the Priora radiator. Below it is a fuel frame. At the end there is a special bypass valve, closed with a plastic cap. You need to unscrew it and press on the core. A strong release of fuel should occur.

Important! It is best to have a special fuel pressure gauge for this check. This will give a 100% guarantee of verification accuracy.

When connecting this device, you need to turn on the ignition without trying to start it. The pressure must be at least 2.6. There is another option. Not so reliable, but quite usable. Perform the download several times before starting if the Priora is difficult to start. That is, without turning on the starter, wait until the fuel pump turns off, turn off the ignition and turn it on again without the starter. Do this several times. And then turn the engine. If starting improves, it means there was not enough pressure and you need to check the filters and fuel pump.

And another reason related to the fuel system is the banal clogging of the injectors, which gives the effect of poor starting to the same extent. But this is just a specialist checking the entire fuel frame at a special stand.

Electronic part of the check

Here it is worth clarifying immediately. There can be no talk of any complete determination of the cause of a poor startup without computer diagnostics. Although several positions can be checked. The easiest way is to check the performance of the Priora cylinders. To do this, you need to remove the decorative cover, start the engine and leave it at idle. Let it work a little and try to remove the connectors from the ignition modules one by one.

This requires good hearing and attentiveness. It is necessary to clearly determine which of the cylinders, when switched off, the operating rhythm changes the least.

1. Using a 10 mm wrench, unscrew the bolts securing the modules from the “bad” and any other cylinder.
2. Swap them and secure them.
3. Repeat the procedure with listening. If the signs of a “bad” start move to another “boiler,” then the ignition module is to blame. And replace it.
4. If no changes occur, then swap the spark plugs.
5. Repeat the procedure again. If there is no change, then either the injector or wear in the cylinder is to blame.

In addition, one of the main sensors that controls the launch of the Priora is the mass air flow sensor (MAF).

This is a very delicate instrument. It is the mass air flow sensor that reads the amount of fuel passing into the cylinders, and based on its data, the control unit doses the supply of gasoline. When the sensor starts to malfunction, the computer pours fuel in “emergency” mode. That is, it is as if it is pouring fuel. This happens because the sensor shows more air than is actually flowing. We’ll have to repeat it, as in any case, only computer diagnostics can reveal this. However, an experienced technician or an experienced owner can determine malfunctions in the operation of this sensor by removing the connector during operation. Depending on the type of control unit, the speed should either drop and the car will stall, or rise to 1,500 rpm. Poor starting can also be affected by the throttle position sensor (TPS) and the actuator - idle air control (IAC). But only diagnostics can identify them.

Crankshaft position sensor

This is the main device that gives the start signal. If it fails, the car simply will not start. But there is a small nuance. If the damper is dirty, or a lot of dirt has adhered to the sensor itself, a “bad start” effect may occur. But it's easy enough to check. This device is installed on the oil pump housing to the left of the timing pulley. If it starts poorly, just visually examine its condition and clean it if necessary.

Poor starting due to engine wear

This is quite a rare occurrence. In general, VAZ 2170 Priora engines are quite durable with proper care. But as they say, even an old woman can get screwed. In this case, engine wear is determined by dark exhaust from the pipe and increased oil consumption. Well, in general, here you need specialist advice. The motor must be inspected by a mechanic. And do a compression test.

In the cold

Morning, key to start. The starter cranks the engine, but the Priora does not start right away. Where to start? In general, most of the reasons are the same as for a bad hot start. The only difference between the second option is that here, failure in the electronic part is more common. That is, the sensors and actuators of the Priora are acting up. By the way, launching Priora in cold weather is a separate topic. Although cars with distributed injection themselves tolerate frost much better than carburetor cars. While with a “hot start”, more often the problem is in the fuel system. At the same time, if the Priora does not start well in any condition, then most often it is engine wear.

But we definitely need to remind you that the most reliable testing method for Priora is computer diagnostics. The methods described here, of course, will help an experienced driver find and fix a minor breakdown, but only diagnostics will reveal a specific malfunction.

By the way! Recently, mobile scanners have become very popular. Yes, this is a good help. You just need to know that in addition to a “smart” device, you need at least knowledge and experience. The fact is that many of the troubles described here are not identified by the control unit as a breakdown. They can only be identified by an experienced diagnostician using graphic observations.

17.12.2016

Lada Priora (2171) is one of the best-selling domestic cars. Not so long ago, this car replaced the tenth family of VAZs on our roads. And although in its essence the Priora is a restyled version of the “ten”, it is still a completely new car, not only externally, but also technically. But is it worth buying a used Lada Priora or is it better to prefer an older foreign car? We will try to answer this question today.

A little history:

The debut of Lada Priora on the domestic market took place in 2007, although the prototype was presented back in 2003

year. At first, the car was produced only in a sedan body, but a little later, when the model began to gain popularity, the manufacturer began to produce the car in a hatchback, station wagon and even coupe body. Priora was developed to replace the 10th Lada family, and unlike its predecessors, the new product received completely new components and assemblies, which were manufactured using new technology. In 2008, the body was modified, which significantly improved not only its rigidity, but also the passive safety of the car.

We inspect the body - the main places of damage

Thresholds and the bottom are the main places where minor damage accumulates on cars that are older than 3 years. During the warranty period, the body jambs do not show themselves, but then the Priora begins to rust properly. This leads to the fact that owners are forced to go to a service station, treat the car, apply new layers of paint, which do not last as well. So before paying for your future car, inspect the following details of its condition:

• paint on the thresholds - it is best to check it with a thickness gauge to ensure the factory condition of these components; you can check the entire car body with the device;
• condition of the bottom - it is worth performing a detailed inspection of this unit to make sure there is no through corrosion or serious beginnings of rot, as well as the presence of anti-corrosion;
• spars - this is one of the VAZ models that has problems with these parts, it is better to carefully inspect the unit and make sure there is no serious damage from rust;
• factory sealant - in the places where the hinges are attached to the body, as well as between some metal elements, the factory spills sealant, it is applied neatly and without uneven lines;
• glass numbers - replacing the windshield does not mean that the car was in an accident, these glasses are simply of very poor quality, but side or rear windows cannot be replaced without an accident.

All this allows you to determine in a few minutes how much service potential the car has. Knowledgeable mechanics at service stations say that you can repair a car and invest money in it only if the body is intact. Otherwise it doesn't make sense. Therefore, checking body parts is one of the most important circumstances before purchasing your car. Pay special attention to this stage.

Problem areas of Lada Priora with mileage

The paintwork and anti-corrosion treatment of the body are not of the best quality, as a result, corrosion on the car body is a fairly common phenomenon. Rust most quickly affects: wheel arches (where the fender liners are attached), the inside of the front and rear doors, sills and hood. Also, headlight bulbs are not famous for their quality and reliability. It is not uncommon that after rain, moisture can be found in the trunk in the niches under the headlights, but, according to the manufacturer, this defect does not require modification, since there are plugs installed there to drain water.

Engines

Lada Priora was equipped only with 1.6 petrol power units - index 21126 (98 hp) and 21127 (106 hp). Operating experience has shown that both types of engines are quite reliable and unpretentious in maintenance, but some shortcomings in them have nevertheless been identified, the main ones of which are considered to be: loss of power and unstable engine operation. One of the weakest points of engines are sensors; they can fail at any mileage, and believe me, they do this quite often. Another common problem is the failure of the throttle valve and burnout of the cylinder head gasket. Also, on some copies, in severe frosts, the camshaft plugs are squeezed out, as a result of which oil leaks out of the engine very quickly.

It happens that in the early stages of life the thermostat valve fails, therefore, do not forget to periodically look at the engine temperature indicator. Ignition coils and fuel pumps are not known for their durability. The timing drive is equipped with a belt, the manufacturer claims that its service life is about 200,000 km, however, practice has shown that the reason for the meeting of valves and cylinders is the jamming of the support or tension roller or the breakdown of the pump. Therefore, it is recommended to change the rollers at least twice as often as prescribed in the regulations, and also periodically check the degree of tension and condition of the belt.

Transmission

Lada Priora was equipped only with a five-speed manual transmission. This gearbox is not a standard of quality and reliability; as a result, the transmission constantly requires improvement and adjustment. The main disadvantage of the Priora, as in principle of other models produced by AvtoVAZ, is weak synchronizers. A signal that they are worn out and need to be replaced soon will be a crunching noise when changing gears. This model is equipped with a reinforced clutch, however, the problem of a rattling release bearing at idle speed occurs on every second car. Also, many owners complain about constant noise in the box, which disappears only when the clutch is depressed. The manufacturer does not recognize this noise as a breakdown and calls it “a feature of the operation of the unit.” In order to extend the service life of the transmission, many servicemen recommend changing the oil in the box at least once every 75,000 km.

Chassis reliability of Lada Priora

Owners of foreign cars like to tell stories about the Lada suspension, about how the car falls apart while driving. Perhaps these rumors were previously justified, but now we can say with confidence that in terms of reliability the suspension is not much inferior to most budget foreign cars. Like all modern cars, the Lada Priora has a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a transverse beam at the rear. Changing the shock absorber settings, modifying the springs and strengthening the front stabilizer made the Priora's chassis more balanced, and this also increased the service life of many suspension parts.

Most often, bushings and stabilizer struts bother owners; they have to be changed every 10-20 thousand km. Steering tips and hub bearings, on average, last 40-50 thousand km. Ball joints and shock absorber support bearings can withstand no more than 70,000 km. CV joints, silent blocks and shock absorbers have a fairly large margin of safety and, with careful operation, can last up to 100,000 km. The quality of the original brake pads leaves much to be desired, therefore, it is better to replace them with higher quality analogues. When diagnosing, pay attention to the behavior of the electric power steering; the fact is that on cars of the first years of production, this unit may not work correctly, which is why you can unexpectedly fly off the road. Signals of a malfunction in the amplifier will be: heavy steering and jerking when turning the steering wheel slowly. To fix the problem, it is necessary to clean or restore the electrical wiring contacts of the unit.

Salon

Compared to previous AvtoVAZ models, the Lada Priora is more reminiscent of a foreign car, but this is not the merit of the domestic manufacturer, for example, the design of the dashboard was borrowed from the Ford Mondeo 3. But, unfortunately, the quality remained as before - very low level. Absolutely everything in the cabin rattles, and the older the car gets, the more instruments this orchestra appears. Pasting the joints of plastic elements with emission-absorbing materials will help to partially eliminate squeaks and mortars. Electrical equipment is also not famous for its reliability. Most often, the following fail: power windows, heater fan, and various sensors often fail. Fortunately, eliminating any of the above problems does not require major capital investments.

Engine - checking the heart of your future Priora

The second most important part of a car is the engine. Here it is important not only to examine it and draw conclusions about its visual condition, but also to carry out detailed technical diagnostics. During an external inspection, make sure that the engine is clean, there are no frozen oil stains on it, and there are no unknown leaks. Look at the joints of the cylinder head and the block itself - there should not be any leaking sealant elements there. The rest of the diagnosis boils down to the following actions:

• listen to the operation of the engine - it should work quietly and clearly, smoothly and without floating speeds; when warming up, the speeds should increase, but everything happens smoothly and evenly;
• look at the condition of the oil and check when the last maintenance was; if the oil on the dipstick is too black, the engine may have serious problems, it is worth checking it in more detail;
• estimate the car’s mileage using the odometer, or better yet, order diagnostics from a service to find out the exact mileage of the car in order to understand what you are paying your money for;
• computer diagnostics should also include an assessment of the electrical part of the car and checking the operation of peripheral components, this will save you a lot of money in the future after the purchase;
• It’s worth taking the car for a drive, before buying it, pay attention to the smoothness of the speed increase and the absence of extraneous sounds from the engine while driving the car.

Also in this connection you should pay attention to the gearbox. You can check it on the go by listening to noises and other troubles. But this is far from an accurate diagnosis. It is better to order diagnostics of the condition of the gearbox and clutch at a service station. In a few minutes, specialists will tell you whether there is a need to repair the gearbox. All this will ensure that the main components are in normal condition. You should not buy a Priora with an AMT gearbox (domestic robot). These gearboxes have shown their inconsistency on these machines.