Five tricks to “kill” the variator on LADA Vesta and XRAY
- June 7, 2023
- 0
The appearance of automatic transmissions on the LADA car was once seen as a big step forward. However, if the Granta was equipped with fairly reliable 4-speed hydromechanical
The appearance of automatic transmissions on the LADA car was once seen as a big step forward. However, if the Granta was equipped with fairly reliable 4-speed hydromechanical “automatics”, then the jagged JF015E variators from the Japanese Jatco were installed on the XRAY and Vesta. With careful operation, questions do not arise for them for a long time, but with active driving, the resource of the boxes is greatly reduced. How do drivers break these fashionable gearboxes?
When choosing transmissions, AvtoVAZ engineers tried to choose a unit that would meet several conditions at once. I wanted a modern transmission with a wide range of gear ratios, at the same time economical, cheap and technologically advanced. Granta’s reliable 4-speed Japanese “automatic” is now hopelessly outdated, so the choice fell on Jatco JF015E CVTs with torque converter and two-speed planetary gearbox.
These gearboxes were designed for engines with a torque of less than 180 Nm and worked in various modifications on Renault and Nissan models, including Juke, Sentra, Tiida, Arkana, Kaptur and even Japanese city cars. The track record was impressive and with the joint efforts of our and Japanese engineers, the box was adapted for Vesta and XRAY. However, the reality of the Russian operation, the harsh climate and the specific habits of motorists revealed the weaknesses of these boxes.
Drive fast
Driving at high speed destroys the input shaft bearing. At speeds above 130 km / h, when the pulleys of the variator are in extreme positions, the chain pulls the shafts together, trying to straighten it and take the shape of a circle under the influence of centrifugal forces, causing the bearings are subjected to a heavier load. Long-term driving at engine speeds in the range of 4-5 thousand with maximum traction is especially dangerous.
The bearing does not withstand wear, microplay appears, the shaft warps, generating vibrations and causing further destruction of the bearings. Chips get into the oil, clog the pressure reducing valve responsible for maintaining oil pressure. And without standard pressure, the belt slips even more and wear increases.
It is even more dangerous to drive fast on snowy roads. Small slips occur on smooth surfaces. At the peak of power, the differential interrupts traction, and then returns to the loaded drive wheel, shock loads appear, and as a result, the pulleys wear out and the belt slips. In general, the faster drivers drive, the less long their CVT will last.
Trailer hitch
The hitch is contraindicated on XRAY and Vesta CVTs. The box can barely handle the weight of 1.2-1.3 tons of these cars, and the extra 750-kilogram “cart” generates prohibitive loads on the transmission, causing belt slippage and vibrations that damage the bearings on the break shafts and on the pulleys. It is better not to buy cars with a tow bar and a variator on the secondary market.
Swing and slide
On the Vesta and Xray variators, a break in the gears of a two-stage planetary gearbox is sometimes recorded. Damage is caused by attempts to rock the car while slipping. If you change position D and R with a substantial addition of gas, by analogy with a manual gearbox, the box will not last long.
Without warming up
The node is also sensitive to cold starts. In severe frosts in an unheated state, the box goes into a special mode and does not allow the pulleys to go to extreme positions to protect them from wear. Therefore, before the trip, you should wait a while, let the transmission warm up and pump the oil.
It is necessary to warm up the variator even in summer. But it is better to do this with a smooth ride until the oil in the transmission reaches operating temperature. If you ignore this rule and start cold right away, the variator will have to be repaired after a few thousand km. walk.
Acceleration and deceleration
And JF015E is afraid of traffic jams and active driving. It is enough to “pull” the accelerator and brake pedals unnecessarily often in traffic jams, accelerate quickly and brake just as quickly for the transmission to overheat. As a result, the radiator cannot cope with the heat dissipation, and with a strong start, the belt begins to slip, grinding the pulleys and adding metal chips to the oil. That is, active, sporty driving is contraindicated in our case.
For inaccurate drivers, transmission problems can begin already after 20-30 thousand kilometers. You can recognize such cars on the secondary market by the shocks that the box allows. These jerks indicate hopeless oil pressure problems. But for quiet “steersmen” who follow the rules, the box serves 150-200 thousand km.
Photo avtovzglyad.ru
Photo avtovzglyad.ru
Photo avtovzglyad.ru
When choosing transmissions, AvtoVAZ engineers tried to choose a unit that would meet several conditions at once. I wanted a modern transmission with a wide range of gear ratios, at the same time economical, cheap and technologically advanced. Granta’s reliable 4-speed Japanese “automatic” is now hopelessly outdated, so the choice fell on Jatco JF015E CVTs with torque converter and two-speed planetary gearbox.
These gearboxes were designed for engines with a torque of less than 180 Nm and worked in various modifications on Renault and Nissan models, including Juke, Sentra, Tiida, Arkana, Kaptur and even Japanese city cars. The track record was impressive and with the joint efforts of our and Japanese engineers, the box was adapted for Vesta and XRAY. However, the reality of the Russian operation, the harsh climate and the specific habits of motorists revealed the weaknesses of these boxes.
Drive fast
Driving at high speed destroys the input shaft bearing. At speeds above 130 km / h, when the pulleys of the variator are in extreme positions, the chain pulls the shafts together, trying to straighten it and take the shape of a circle under the influence of centrifugal forces, causing the bearings are subjected to a heavier load. Long-term driving at engine speeds in the range of 4-5 thousand with maximum traction is especially dangerous.
The bearing does not withstand wear, microplay appears, the shaft warps, generating vibrations and causing further destruction of the bearings. Chips get into the oil, clog the pressure reducing valve responsible for maintaining oil pressure. And without standard pressure, the belt slips even more and wear increases.
It is even more dangerous to drive fast on snowy roads. Small slips occur on smooth surfaces. At the peak of power, the differential interrupts traction, and then returns to the loaded drive wheel, shock loads appear, and as a result, the pulleys wear out and the belt slips. In general, the faster drivers drive, the less long their CVT will last.
Trailer hitch
The hitch is contraindicated on XRAY and Vesta CVTs. The box can barely handle the weight of 1.2-1.3 tons of these cars, and the extra 750-kilogram “cart” generates prohibitive loads on the transmission, causing belt slippage and vibrations that damage the bearings on the break shafts and on the pulleys. It is better not to buy cars with a tow bar and a variator on the secondary market.
Swing and slide
On the Vesta and Xray variators, a break in the gears of a two-stage planetary gearbox is sometimes recorded. Damage is caused by attempts to rock the car while slipping. If you change position D and R with a substantial addition of gas, by analogy with a manual gearbox, the box will not last long.
Without warming up
The node is also sensitive to cold starts. In severe frosts in an unheated state, the box goes into a special mode and does not allow the pulleys to go to extreme positions to protect them from wear. Therefore, before the trip, you should wait a while, let the transmission warm up and pump the oil.
It is necessary to warm up the variator even in summer. But it is better to do this with a smooth ride until the oil in the transmission reaches operating temperature. If you ignore this rule and start cold right away, the variator will have to be repaired after a few thousand km. walk.
Acceleration and deceleration
And JF015E is afraid of traffic jams and active driving. It is enough to “pull” the accelerator and brake pedals unnecessarily often in traffic jams, accelerate quickly and brake just as quickly for the transmission to overheat. As a result, the radiator does not withstand heat dissipation, and with a strong start, the belt begins to slip, grinding the pulleys and adding metal chips to the oil. That is, active, sporty driving is contraindicated in our case.
For inaccurate drivers, transmission problems can begin already after 20-30 thousand kilometers. You can recognize such cars on the secondary market by the shocks that the box allows. These jerks indicate hopeless oil pressure problems. But for quiet “steersmen” who follow the rules, the box serves 150-200 thousand km.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
