We will not quote a textbook on the theory of internal combustion engines, but we will briefly mention that due to the change in dimension, the second-order inertia forces have increased. And in order to reduce them, it was necessary to reduce the mass of pistons and connecting rods. In order to reduce mechanical losses, the diameter of the connecting rod journal of the crankshaft was also reduced … All this, given the intra-factory bureaucracy, was done in fits and starts. From the beginning of design to the launch of production, 17 years have passed!
At first, the novelty was praised “not only by everyone.” Additional cooling channels between the cylinder bridges, graphite-coated piston skirts, plus a new oil pump, a different pump and a cast aluminum sump. And, of course, the intake phase shifter! All this looked very progressive, and most importantly, it made it possible to increase the power to 122 horsepower.
But then serious problems were revealed, the most obvious of which was the excessive consumption of oil. Also, the owners complained about failures during acceleration, and some were even “lucky” to check the crankshaft for strength … Alas, the cases of breakdown of this “knee” were by no means isolated! Most likely due to the reduced diameter of the connecting rod journals.