The Volga car has had a reputation as a voracious monster since the days of the Soviet Union. And indeed, despite factory numbers of up to 10 on the highway and up to 14 in the city, often real numbers significantly exceed the indicated figure, sometimes by 50%, and in especially neglected cases by 100%.
So what affects fuel consumption on the Volga, and how to reduce it?
All factors that affect fuel consumption are divided into those related to the engine and not related to the engine. In the first case, a serviceable and tuned engine is forced to overcome increased resistance to movement. In the second case, the engine does not work optimally due to a malfunction of its individual systems.
Consider engine problems affecting fuel consumption.
problems with the ignition system
malfunction of the ignition system. here the ignition distributor (distributor) is most often to blame. The fact is that contact distributor very sensitive to the cleanliness of the contacts, the adjustment of the gap and especially to the axial transverse play. If there is a lateral play, it is IMPOSSIBLE to set the gaps in the contacts and the engine starts poorly and runs poorly, sooner or later it will stop working altogether. From a faulty distributor, the consumption can soar by 2 times, since misfiring, not optimal combustion significantly impair engine performance. It is ideal to replace the ignition with electronic. Its price will more than pay off with confident launches and stable flow fuel.
incorrect gap in the spark plugs. too small a gap, although it prolongs the life of the contacts, but worsens the combustion of fuel. Excessive clearance leads to burnout of the contacts and, accordingly, to an increase in consumption.
soot on candles, faulty punched candles. like all malfunctions in the ignition system, faulty spark plugs increase consumption, and when they die completely, the engine usually does not start, or starts very poorly.
incorrect adjustment of the ignition timing. if the ignition is later, fuel consumption increases, and there is also a risk of valve burnout. the ignition must always be adjusted to the knock threshold. Those. on the Volga at a speed of 40-50 km / h in 4th gear with a sneaker on the floor, detonation should be clearly audible. For gas UOZ is set for propane +7 from the 92nd gasoline, for methane +15 from gasoline (set at the detonation threshold).
carburetor problems
the carburetor, as the main metering system of the engine, often makes its own adjustments to fuel consumption. the main problem of the native Volgovsky carburetor K-126G is leakage, which leads to fuel leaks both outside and overflow into the engine.
valve problems
not enough big gap in the valves leads to a decrease in engine compression, naturally reduces efficiency and, accordingly, increases fuel consumption. Always set the optimal clearance of 0.4-0.45 mm and only for the outer valves can be set to 0.35-0.4. On gas fuel better clearances increase another 0.05 mm.
burnt, cracked, non-lapped valves also naturally reduce compression and, accordingly, engine performance deteriorates significantly. in especially neglected cases, a cylinder with a valve defect stops working and simply spits out the fuel, and sooner or later it explodes in the muffler, spreading it to pieces. Therefore, if the engine troit (for any reason), do not continue driving, but check the ignition, and if it cannot be eliminated, it is better to call for help in tow or a tow truck. Even a kilometer on a triple can lead to an explosion of fuel assemblies in a silencer. Especially in the urban cycle when the engine cannot blow all the fuel into the pipe.
compression and general engine condition
the normal compression of the Volgovsky engine for 92nd gasoline is 13-14 atmospheres. With compression less than 10 atmospheres, overhaul. I advise you to measure the compression every time you change the spark plugs (and unscrew them for cleaning, adjusting the gap). Compressor for gasoline engines is not expensive, though this procedure it is better to do it with an assistant. Compression is measured with the engine warm.
Consider other problems and nuances affecting fuel consumption
brake related problems
the brakes of the Volga car, especially the GAZ-24 models, are “abstruse” and not optimal. What is the problem? And the fact that they like to wedge. And they do it by different reasons. So it might be wrong check valve adjusting the residual pressure in the brake system (located in the GTZ), the coupling springs may be stretched, or the support fingers may turn sour brake pads which will cause them to seize. Naturally swollen cuffs in the hydraulic vacuum booster (including its control valve), in the working and main brake cylinders, divider contribute to poor wheel release. In general, I strongly recommend that anyone who does not pursue originality install a normal vacuum amplifier. You can install a system from GAZ-2410, or foreign cars. Decide for yourself what you prefer. But the vacuum cleaner from the GAZ-2410 has the property of “zae ****” and does not slow down. But he understands and the cuffs can be replaced, though the procedure is not easy. I installed a new one, while the flight is normal like.
running gear problems
constricted wheel bearings, incorrect wheel alignment increases fuel consumption
deflated tires are one of the most common causes of increased consumption, in the end buy a normal pressure gauge and pump, and do not be lazy to check the pressure at least once a week. there are also caps with a control function.
transmission related problems
slipping clutch increases fuel consumption
too much thick oil not meeting the requirements of the plant in the bridge and box leads to a sharp increase in fuel consumption, this is especially noticeable in winter.
overloaded with stuff
the trunk in the Volga is large and many carry a bunch of rubbish and heavy tools there. think about whether you need 4 sets of keys and two jacks or 2 spares? every extra kilo is additional expense. Many people throw a sandbag into the trunk in winter ... better install, they are still allowed in the CIS.
harsh driving style
Volga heavy car, and "sporty" driving increases fuel consumption in a dramatic way.
Why do most Volgas have huge expense fuel? How to reduce consumption on the Volga?
Volga cars have firmly entered the history of the Russian automotive industry, the first GAZ-21 model was put into production in 1956, and this car was in great demand among the population.
The GAZ-31029 car also won no less popularity - the brand was produced on Gorky Automobile Plant from 1992 to 1997, during which time more than 500 thousand cars were produced.
The predecessor of the "Twenty-Ninth" Volga GAZ-24 has been produced since 1967, and was a very popular car from the USSR. Own such a vehicle It was very prestigious, but in the 80s of the last century, the design of the model began to noticeably become obsolete. Despite the fact that in 1985 the car was restyled (the GAZ-2410 model appeared), the country needed a new passenger car that met the spirit of that time, so the designers at the Gorky Automobile Plant began to develop a new brand.
Model 3102 became the prototype of the "twenty-ninth" Volga, the bodies of these cars themselves practically do not differ from each other. The “zero second” was developed back in 1978, but the car went into series only in 1982, and was intended for government officials and high-ranking party workers.
But the 3102 series was limited - there were few such machines. When perestroika began in the country, foreign cars began to arrive from abroad, and they seriously competed with the aging GAZ-2410 model. In addition, the stamps of the 24th Volga were thoroughly worn out, and the equipment intended for 3102, one might say, was idle, since the car executive class produced a maximum of 3000 pieces per year. It was necessary to make a decision - a new brand passenger car the country needed it, and in early 1992 it became the Volga 31029. 
The difference between GAZ-31029 and GAZ-2410
Disbanded in 1991 Soviet Union, and after the division of a single state in Russia, market relations began to develop. The country has changed price policy, and if in the USSR it was very problematic to buy a car as a whole, then the Volga 31029 became one of the first models available to ordinary people.
The body 3102 taken as a basis was not much different from the skeleton 2410, so the dimensions of the updated Volga remained almost the same as those of the GAZ-24, the weight of the car also remained almost unchanged. In the new model, other body elements began to be installed:
- front and rear fenders;
- hood;
- bumper;
- rear lights and headlights;
- doors.
From old model The "twenty-ninth" Volga got the trunk lid, apart from some little things, the roof remained almost the same. Almost nothing has changed in the cabin, and all units have also been preserved, including the engine, gearbox, rear axle and suspension.
The modernization of the Volga has always taken place in some kind of its own mode, different from generally accepted standards - all modernization at GAZ went in stages, regardless of the change in model. Therefore, all changes in 31029 were made gradually, and all of them mainly concerned the chassis and power units.
The Volga GAZ-31029 model is a middle-class car, affordable, with a fairly comfortable and spacious interior. Of course, by modern standards, the car is already primitive and poorly equipped, but in those years when the car was still rolling off the assembly line, it was valued and considered a very good and prestigious model.
Unlike the 2410, the "twenty-ninth" has rounded shapes - streamlined front fenders and a hood, more modern headlights rectangular shape. Sufficiently dimensional turn signals of orange light are installed on the sides of the headlights, the rear lights are composite - in total there are 4 of them on the car. The instrument cluster is not a single whole part, but consists of separate parts:
- speedometer;
- instrument cluster (temperature, fuel level in the tank, oil pressure, network voltage);
- hours.
The front seats are equipped with headrests, have fabric upholstery. It should be noted that at first the driver and front passenger seats had short backs, and by the end of the release of model 31029, the so-called anatomical seats were installed on the car. superior comfort(with high back).
The Volgas have always been quite conservative, and did not differ in a variety of configurations - the standard equipment of the car included ordinary mechanical windows, side mirrors With mechanical adjustment, the seats had fabric or velor upholstery. Air conditioner, plastic fender liner or a radio tape recorder in car dealerships was installed additionally, for a fee. 
In the first years of production, the 29th Volga was equipped with carburetor four-cylinder engines ZMZ-402 (for 92nd gasoline) and ZMZ-4021 (for operation on A-76 gasoline), and in 1996 they began to install injection motors ZMZ-4062. In the future, all these power units amicably moved to new brand GAZ-3110, and this fact once again confirms the conservatism of the Gorky Automobile Plant.
The 402 engine scheme was already considered obsolete in the 90s, however, this motor was later installed not only on 3110, but also on the first Gazelles. The 402 engine has:
- overhead valve position and lower camshaft position;
- gear drive of the gas distribution mechanism;
- aluminum block and cylinder head;
- in-line arrangement of four cylinders;
- liquid cooling system;
- fuel system type carburetor;
- removable "wet" sleeves.
The engines of models 402 and 4021 differ only in the height of the cylinder head, respectively, and the engine, designed to work with A-76 gasoline, has a larger combustion chamber and a lower compression ratio. The "four hundred and second" engine has a volume of 2.445 liters and a power of 90 liters. With. (ZMZ-402) or 100 l. With. (ZMZ-4021). Other characteristics of the 402 engine are as follows:
- diameter of standard pistons - 92 mm;
- the number of valves in the cylinder - 2;
- compression ratios (402/4021) - 8.7/6.7;
- piston stroke - 92 mm;
- motor weight with attachments- 184 kg.
The 402nd internal combustion engine was produced until 2006, and then was discontinued, but there are no problems with repairs and spare parts for this internal combustion engine - parts are still manufactured at Zavolzhsky engine plant, are always available in specialized car dealerships. 
ZMZ-406 is a 4-cylinder 16-valve ICE with chain drive Timing, overhead valves and camshafts (2 pcs.), The cylinder block is made of cast iron, and the block head is aluminum. The motor has the following specifications:
- volume - 2286 cm³;
- diameter of standard cylinders - 92 mm
- compression ratio - 9.3;
- the number of valves in the cylinder - 4;
- piston stroke - 86 mm.
This engine already meets Euro-3 environmental standards, unlike the ICE 402, which does not fit any environmental parameters.
Transmission
The first GAZ-31029 cars were equipped with a four-speed mechanical box gears and a rear axle with a split housing, consisting of two halves. In 1993, a one-piece rear axle appeared on the machines, and in 1994 they began to install five-speed gearboxes. The one-piece rear axle is often called "Tchaikovsky", since outwardly similar axles were installed on cars of the Chaika executive class.
Although the model changed in 1992, steering on new car remained the same, that is, it completely switched from the GAZ-2410 car. On almost all Volga (the only exception is Siber), the steering gear has always played the role of a mechanism worm type, and the turns of the wheels were carried out using a system of steering rods, which were assembled into a steering trapezoid. Steering column on a GAZ-31029 car, it is fixed rigidly, and it does not have any adjustments.
In 1996, the steering on some vehicles began to be equipped with a hydraulic booster, but the power steering in the configuration with the 402nd engine is rare, mainly the power steering is installed on cars with the ZMZ-406 engine. 
Volga 31029 has a front dependent spring suspension with a rigid strong beam, steering knuckles on it are installed on pivot joints. The suspension is different high reliability, but in order for it to go longer, it is necessary to periodically lubricate the pivots and threaded bushings. Some car owners, due to their negligence or forgetfulness, did not stuff grease into the pivots, but even so, the suspension could serve up to 70 thousand km, however, in such cases it was necessary to disassemble it with a gas burner.
rear axle 31029 mounted on springs, on the front and rear axle installed hydraulic shock absorbers. Often, springs can sag, as well as break leaf springs, but basically all breakdowns occur due to overloading the trunk of the car. On the "Volzhanka" wheels of the 14th radius are regularly installed, standard size rubber - 205/70.
Brakes of the 29th Volga - drum on the front and rear axles, brake system hydraulic type, equipped vacuum booster. It should be noted that the brakes on the “twenty-nine” are quite hard, and in order to stop the car abruptly, you have to press the pedal with effort. On the 3110 model, this problem has already been solved - there the brake pedal is “responsive”, it immediately reacts to the slightest pressing. 
The GAZ-31029 model is practical and generally very reliable car with excellent technical characteristics. If not low quality the details themselves and a large number of factory defects, these machines would be much more common on Russian roads. Not all Russian Volgas survived to our times - in the nineties they didn’t care too much about the quality of body iron, so many “twenty-ninths” simply rotted.
Another of the disadvantages of these cars can be noted low efficiency, but high flow fuels are not found on all Volga - a lot depends on the settings of the K151 carburetor. It is quite difficult to set up this unit even for experienced specialists, so many Volzhanok car owners were looking for any methods to save fuel, for example, they installed a VAZ-21073 carburetor from the Zhiguli engine on the engine.
"Twenty-nine" - the car is heavy, but it can carry a lot of cargo, not without reason it was popularly nicknamed "barge". The interior of the car is quite spacious, and it accommodates four passengers and the driver without any problems, even full and tall people do not experience inconvenience.
At the car GAZ-31029 specifications the following:
- body type - sedan;
- dimensions (length / height / width) - 4.88 / 1.48 / 1.80 m;
- wheelbase - 2.8 m;
- front wheel track - 1.56 m;
- rear wheel track - 1.55 m;
- clearance ( ground clearance) - 15 cm;
- curb weight - 1.42 tons;
- trunk volume - 500 liters;
- capacity fuel tank- 55 l.
Since the ZMZ-402 engines and four-speed manual transmissions were mainly installed on model 31029, we present the performance characteristics for this configuration:
- acceleration to a speed of 100 kilometers per hour - 19.5 seconds;
- fuel consumption (urban mode) - 13.5 l / 100 km;
- gasoline consumption (highway) -11.5 l / 100 km.
Operational data in different sources differ, but they should be approximately the same. It should also be noted that passport data is indicated here, in reality, the Volga can spend more gasoline.
The big advantage of the 029th is that it is very convenient to repair - its components and assemblies are quite simple, and the Volga with the 402nd engine can be repaired by almost any driver who has minimal car mechanic skills. 
The purpose of tuning is to improve the technical performance characteristics car, and the modernization of the Volga 31029 is carried out not only by car owners, but also by some companies. In the 90s, a power unit was installed on the 29th brands Rover, which was paired with a mechanical or automatic transmission the same firm. Also, the 029th was equipped with a Toyota transmission and engine, among which was a two and a half liter turbodiesel.
Tuning GAZ 31029 is subjected to various things, and it concerns not only the components and parts of the car. Often the car is tuned by motorists themselves:
The interior is often subjected to tuning, the most popular methods of modernization are:
- installation of tinted windows, and windshield with stripe;
- replacement of seats with "ten" or "foreign" ones;
- pasting the instrument panel with a film under the "tree";
- installation of an armrest-bar between the front seats.
Armchairs from the GAZ-3110 to the "twenty-ninth" are installed without alterations, they fit one to one according to the fasteners. But it is already more difficult to “introduce” seats from a foreign car into the Volzhanka - you have to digest the fasteners, adjust the “seats” in places.
Another popular type of tuning is the installation on the 29th steering from model 3110:
- steering column;
- reducer;
- the steering wheel itself.
The GAZ-3110 steering wheel is smaller in diameter, and therefore it is more convenient, besides, the “ten” steering wheel looks much more aesthetic. Such repairs do not take very much time, since all steering parts from 3110 to 029 fit the mounts.
GAZ Volga cars entered the automotive environment in 1956. Since then, the car has remained at the first steps of strength and practicality. Until now, the Volga is in demand among all amateur motorists.
It looks like GAZ 31029
"29 Volga" was released in 1992. Until 1997, about 500 thousand cars were produced.
Volga GAZ-31029 is a car designed for the middle class. It has always been average prices compared to other cars, with a very large and cozy salon. Now the machines have Computer techologies, equipped with the first know-how gadgets. There is no such thing in the Volga, but when it left the factory, it was very prestigious, and was also valued for its practicality.
Front view GAZ 31029
The Volga-2410 has a more square body shape than the 29. This car has more rounded wings, and more advanced headlights, there are quite big pointers turns. The rear lights are not uniform, so there are only 4 of them.
The torpedo is made up of different parts that show the state of the machine:
- Speedometer;
- A block consisting of a screen with a temperature, an indicator of the fuel in the tank, an oil pressure sensor, an indicator of the voltage in the mains;
- Watch.
Appearance GAZ 31029
The front seats come with headrests and are upholstered in fabric. In the 29th Volga, installed window regulators are assembled by a mechanic (manually), mirrors are also manually adjusted. In some Volga, of course, there was velor upholstery. At individual order this car was equipped with air conditioning, and plastic fenders, as well as a tape recorder. It was all on a separate fee account.
Engine
The first 29 Volga models had carburetor engines that had 4 cylinders. ZMZ-402, these engines were made only for brand 92 gasoline, then there were ZMZ-4021 engines, they were made only for A-76 brand gasoline.
Read also
Cars GAZ-31029
A little later, cars began to introduce ICE injection ZMZ-4062. Outdated motors were put on a brand new GAZ 3110.
Type of engine GAZ 31029
ICE ZMZ-402 back in the early nineties was already considered old. But, closing their eyes, these engines were put on the Volga 3110, as well as on the first issues of the famous Gazelle.
- Included in the package power unit ZMZ-402 included:
- The valves were located at the top, the camshaft was at the bottom.
- Gear driven gas camshaft.
- The block of all cylinders, as well as the block head, was made of aluminum.
- The power unit has 4 cylinders.
- Liquid cooling system.
- Carburetor fuel system.
- Removable sleeves.
The 4021 power unit differs from the ZMZ402 in that it had a large combustion chamber for working with A-76 gasoline. Motor 402 has a volume of 2.44 liters, power 90 Horse power. 4021 engine with 100 horsepower. The ZMZ402 had the following characteristics:
- Piston diameter 92 mm.
- 4 valves per cylinder.
- Piston stroke 92 mm.
- Motor weight 184 kg.
sectional view ZMZ engine 402
The 402 engine was produced by the plant until 2006, then due to the improvement of many automobile motors and the introduction of the EU, it was simply discontinued, although even now, if spare parts for this “engine” are required, then there is no problem with this, the parts are made at the factory and sold in free trade.
Transmission
GAZ 31 029 was equipped with a gearbox - mechanics, which had four steps. The Volga has a unit that connects rear wheels and disconnect housing, it consists of two parts. In 93, cars began to be equipped with a single rear axle.
'94 in the car put a gearbox in 5 steps, mechanics. The rear axle is single and very similar to the one that was installed on a representative class car of the Chaika brand.
Gearbox components GAZ 31029
Steering
The famous car GAZ 2410: steering, although old configuration but very stable. Therefore, it was transferred to new cars 29 Volga. The steering gear plays the main role in the mechanism, the wheels turn with the assistance of steering rods, which were assembled into a trapezoid, the steering column for 29 GAS is not adjustable. 96 year 29 Volga modernized. A hydraulic booster was installed in it, but on a few cars. Therefore, the hydraulic booster and the 402nd engine are very rare. Hydraulic amplifiers stand with the engine 406.
Steering components GAZ 31029
Article published on 01/10/2015 05:08 Last edited on 01/10/2015 06:05One of the most popular cars was in Russia GAZ-31029 "Volga". This four-door middle-class sedan was mass-produced from 1992 to 1997 by the Gorky Automobile Plant. In total, about 830,000 cars left the assembly line during this time, so these cars are still widespread on Russian roads.
From a technical point of view, GAZ-31029 is deep modernization another sedan - GAZ-24-10. So, in particular, it was expressed in the fact that in the front of the body it was equipped with different fenders, a different radiator grille, as well as updated lighting equipment, which is a rectangular headlights with AKT 12-60 + 55 H4 halogen bulbs. These lamps were manual adjustment luminous flux depending on the load of the machine.
In addition, the car was equipped with new direction indicators and fog lights, as well as a new engine compartment shield and hood. In the back of the car, its developers installed body elements from the GAZ-3102, in particular: a trunk lid, fenders, as well as lights. The bumpers are made of plastic. They did not rust, although they did not have a shock-absorbing effect on impact. Also, to launch new items in mass production the technology was also changed: welding of the car roof began to be carried out without an external lining, and the thresholds got rid of the false molding and became airtight.
As for technical filling, then almost everything in it was saved from the old basic configurations GAZ-24-10. So GAZ 31029 initially received a reliable and proven carbureted engine ZMZ-402.10. It had a volume of 5.5 liters and had an upper valve arrangement, as well as a lower one - camshaft, its power was 100 horsepower.
Then the novelty received another, newest Gas engine, having 16 valves and a fuel injection distributor ZMZ-4062.10. He had camshafts with a top location, volume 2.3 liters, power 150 "horses". At the same time, as an additional equipment, an exhaust gas converter or, in other words, a catalyst could be installed on it.
In addition to the standard sedan, since 1999, the production of its modification GAZ-31029 "Taxi" began, it was equipped with engines running on gas and gasoline (AI-93 or AI-91) and having a capacity of 85.7 horsepower. They were also equipped with exhaust gas catalysts. The fuel consumption of these engines was 19 liters of gas or 13 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the urban cycle. Max Speed and the accelerating dynamics of these machines is practically no different from the serial version of this Volga.
The brake system GAZ-31029 consisted of front disc brakes"Lucas", the rear ones were drum type. As for the transmission, it was originally a four-speed, and later it was equipped with a fifth step. Cars GAZ-31029 "Volga" of the latest series had a power steering. The rear suspension consisted of a one-piece axle beam, while the front suspension was based on double wishbones, while using the kingpin traditional for GAZ.
The machine worked mainly for a variety of government and non-government organizations. In principle, the car was reliable and quite comfortable, but the use of an obsolete design in it, rooted in the GAZ-24, gradually led to the fact that the demand for it fell. It also contributed sharp drop the quality of its assembly in the post-Soviet period. Particularly affected were the stamping operations of body panels, as well as their priming and painting. At the same time, GAZ-31029 produced more than all other cars of the plant in its entire history - 115,000 units per year.
Due to the above reasons, the owners of this Volg model turned to the bred in the 90s tuning companies who replaced plastic body kits on the car, refinished the interior, improved sound insulation and performed other operations aimed at improving the quality of this car. Some of them even replaced stock engines to foreign ones, for example, Toyota engines different modifications. New ones were installed automatic boxes gears.
GAZ-31029 also served as a cortege vehicle. So, he had to fill a car niche with extended base And high level comfort, which opened after the erroneous removal of the Chaika cars at GAZ. In particular, such a car was GAZ-31029-Lux 1995 release. Also in 1994, they began to produce a version of the Volga "station wagon".
With the advent of the new GAZ 3110 car in 1997 to replace the GAZ 31029, its production was discontinued, but these cars are still found in abundance on Russian roads.
Specifications GAZ-31029:
| Manufacturer | GAS |
| Production years | 1992-1997 |
| Assembly | GAS ( Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) |
| Class | average |
| Other designations | "Barge", "Oslobyk", "Musk Ox", "29th". |
| Design | |
| Body type(s) | 4-door sedan (5 seats) |
| Layout | front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engines | |
| 1 | ZMZ-402.10 |
| 2 | ZMZ-4021.10 |
| 3 | ZMZ-4062.10 |
| Transmission | mechanical, four-speed or five-speed, synchronized in all forward gears |
| Mass-dimensional | |
| Length | 4885 mm |
| Width | 1795 mm |
| Height | 1488 mm |
| Weight | 1420 kg |
| Dynamic | |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h | 20 seconds (zmz 402.10) |
| Max. speed | 147 km/h |
| On the market | |
| Predecessor | GAZ-24-10 and GAZ-24-12 |
| Successor | GAZ-3110 |
| Similar models | GAZ-3102 |
| Other | |
| Fuel consumption | 11.5 - 13.5 l/100 km |
| Volume of the tank | 55 liters (optional - 70 liters) |
