Which engine is better on "Gazelle": comparison and photo

When buying commercial vehicles, it is important to pay attention not only to load capacity and other characteristics, but also to the engine. "GAZelle" is the most popular low-tonnage commercial car in Russia. This machine is produced serially since 1994. During this time, various power plants were installed on it. About what engine is better on "GAZel", we will tell in our today's article.

Varieties of power plants

Initially, these cars were assembled from the Zavolzhsky motor plant. All of them have in-line arrangement of cylinders. From 1994 to 2003, a 402 engine (carburetor) was installed on the GAZelle. Which is better to choose - we will consider later. With the release of a new generation of "GAZel" (this is 2003), the engine line was replenished with another power unit. This engine ZMZ-406. A year later, a more modernized unit, which received the ZMZ-405 marking, was installed on the "GAZel". What are the features of these power units? Let's consider each of them separately.

ZMZ-402

It is a petrol four-cylinder engine with a carburettor power system. It is a modified version of the engine ZMZ-24D, which was installed on the "Volga" in the Soviet era. The engine has a capacity of 100 horsepower with a cylinder capacity of 2.44 liters. The engine has 2 valves per cylinder. What do they say about this motor? Owners say that this engine is hard to bear the load. ZMZ-402 is not intended for commercial vehicles. It is a passenger car that delivers low torque. Among other shortcomings, owners note a high risk of overheating. In view of the fact that the engine is constantly subjected to loads, the block and the head are heated. The motor has a small resource (about 150 thousand kilometers). Also, the engine requires regular tuning and cleaning of the carburetor. As for the pros, ZMZ-402 has a very simple design and is very maintainable. The cost of overhauling this engine is an order of magnitude lower than that of modern analogues. In terms of fuel consumption, this unit is the most voracious. The theme of the economy of the 402 motor is familiar to motorists since the times of the Soviet "Volga". Loaded "GAZelle" consumes in the city at least 19 liters per 100 kilometers. In winter, this figure can reach 22-x. Use this technique is reasonable only if the installation of HBO.

ZMZ-406

This engine with a volume of 2.3 liters develops a capacity of 145 horsepower. It is a new line of units with a 16-valve timing mechanism. However, the drive of the gas distribution mechanism is still carried out by the chain. The motor has a carbureted power system, but has a high torque, which is so important for commercial vehicles. The main advantages are a higher resource and power. Which engine is better for GAZel? To answer this question, it is necessary to distinguish the negative sides of the 406th motor. Among the shortcomings, reviews note the complexity of the timing device. In the first place, these are chain tensioners. The element with time stretches and to 100 thousand requires replacement. Also, the design uses the archaic design of piston rings. Because of this, there is a masloor and a high fuel consumption. "GAZelle" with this engine spends about 15-20 liters, depending on the mode of operation.

ZMZ-405

This is a more advanced unit built on the basis of the 406th engine. Has a more modern, injector injection. With a volume of 2.5 liters develops a horsepower of 152 horsepower. Also in the design was changed the piston group. This is strongly felt in overclocking.
405-th motor is much more cheerful, rather than 406th - say testimonials. This unit also has a more moderate "appetite". On 100 kilometers of a way it consumes from 16 to 18 liters of fuel. It should be taken into account that this parameter may differ, since GAZelle has a different height of the booth (sail) and can carry loads of different tonnages.

What is finalized?

Answering the question about which engine it is better to put on "GAZelle", it is worth considering the technical improvements of this unit. In this engine were made small design changes. So, engineers have finished the head of the block, eliminating the channels of the idling system. The weight of cylinder head is reduced by 1.3 kilograms. If the 406-m engine used asbestos-free cylinder head gasket, then at 405-m is a two-layer metal part. It provides better sealing of the channels of the cooling system, lubrication and gas joints. Thus, the engineers managed to achieve the best sealing of joints in critical places. By the way, this motor was the first in the line, which officially met the requirements of "Euro-3".

What in the end?

So which engine is better - 402 or 406? "GAZelle", completed with the first engine, is very slow to gain speed and hard to bear the load. Because of this, the engine overheats and consumes oil. Which engine is better for GAZel? As for the 406 engine, it is an excellent alternative between the 402nd and 405th. The cost of "GAZel" with this engine is an order of magnitude lower than with the injector unit. At the same time, the 406 engine has a modern 16-valve timing mechanism and a huge potential for tuning. If desired, it can be forced, replacing the piston group at Ulyanovskaya. The main disadvantage of this motor is the carburettor. Now there are very few specialists involved in their configuration. But the carburetor requires constant maintenance and adjustment. If you consider which engine is better - 405 or 406 for "GAZel", ZMZ-405 will be the clear leader. This engine has no previous deficiencies and requires less maintenance, since it is equipped with an injection injection. This engine has a lower fuel consumption and high torque. 405-th motor does not overheat under the condition of timely replacement of antifreeze and has a high resource. Practice shows that this engine "nurses" to overhaul 300 thousand kilometers. However, the cost of "GAZel" with this engine is much higher. This, perhaps, is the only drawback of this engine. In the rest, ZMZ-405 is the leader in the range of gasoline units. If there is a question about which engine is better to put on the "GAZelle", then definitely the 405th. This is the most reliable and durable powerplant ever installed on these cars.

So, we found out which engine is better at GAZel.