GAZ-21 Volga Operating Manual

1. Winter Season Warning:

If using water as a cooling agent, drain before overnight parking at TWO locations to avoid engine damage.
Identify two draining valves: one at the rear part of the block of cylinders, passenger side, behind the exhaust pipe; the other at the bottom of the radiator, pas. side. The valve in the block is on/off, open when handle is across the outlet, closed when handle is along the outlet. Do not confuse the drain valve with the heater valve that is located higher up and does not have an outlet. The radiator valve is threaded, open wide by revolving handle several times, close tight. Open radiator cap when draining.

When refilling the system, make sure the valves are closed, and check against leaks.

If using nonfreezing coolant, do not top radiator leaving two inches of air to allow coolant expand. Volga does not have external expansion volume.
NOTE: some connections, especially water pump may leak coolant while holding water well. Check coolant level inside radiator before every trip, and watch temperature dial ("BOДA") while driving.

2. Battery Drain/Hazard Warning:

Volga electric system consumes energy even when the car is still (clock etc.).
To prevent battery drainage and possibility of short circuit disconnect negative battery wire (the one to the front of vehicle) before overnight parking.
Also, if water was drained, place radiator cap on top of (disconnected) battery cap to remember refilling cooling system before next drive.

3. Daily Routine Checkup

Before day's drive,
- connect the battery
- check water/coolant level in radiator
- check engine oil (between marks "П" and "0" on the dipstick)
- check brake fluid level in master cylinder
- check gas level in carburettor through the glass in the front of carb - to be just above median; low level of gas may signify leak (possibly via the front drain bolt of the carb - tighten gently)
- check tire pressure ( 1.7 on the scale of the enclosed gauge).

 The hood latch handle is located to the left of steering under dash, black with white engraved letters, "KAПOT".

4. Starting

Pump accel once or twice. The engine should start easily. Use choke by pulling 1/4 to 1/2 inch (see ill.) after engine ignited. If choke is sticky due to gum buidup in the carburettor, "feather" accel for a minute, then raise revs with the help of hand throttle (see illustration). Upon high-humidity conditions, if engine does not ignite, take off the ignition distributor cap and vipe with dry cloth. Ignition distribution order is 1-2-4-3.

Make sure parking brake is off. Parking brake is a chromed handle located to the left of steering wheel below the dash. Pull to engage. Red light to the dash to the left of steering turns on when p.brake is engaged. Twist 90 degree to release. Manual 3-speed shift is on the steering column. Reverse and 1st gear are NOT synchronized, 2nd and 3d are. Pull and Up for Reverse, pull and Down for 1st, Up for 2nd,  Down for 3d.

Brake signals switch is located on the brake line 10 inches down from master cylinder outlet. If rear brake lights don't turn on, tighten the connections on the switch.

Volga dash has four dials: water temperature ("BOДA"), battery charge/discharge ("AMПEP"), gas ("БEH3ИH") and oil pressure ("MACЛO")

When running the engine watch water temperature ("BOДA"), and adjust appropriately by operating shutters. Shutters are driven from driver's place by a plain black handle located to the left of steering under dash, not to confuse with chromed handle of parking brake and hood latch handle.
Push handle to open shutters, pull to close. Green light on the dash to the right of steering turns on when water overheats in the block.
NB: When the engine is stopped after a long haul, water in the block may overheat due to absense of circulation. In that condition, it's ok to restart the engine, and the light should turn off soon. Otherwise, check for cooling system problem.

Battery charge/discharge ("AMПEP") dial shows amount of electricity flow into the battery (when left of median, "+") or out of battery (right of median, "-"). Discharge is common at idling. Otherwise reading should be "+" or neutral.

Oil pressure should go up with revs.

Gas: use regular (87) plus "lead substitute" at each refill. The native gas octane grade for Volga is 76.

6. Before overnight parking

- Disconnect battery
- Drain water if freezing is possible
- Clean coarse oil filter (pas. side of block down below: swing handle ten times)

Enjoy the ride!

The car should drive well at speeds up to 100 km/h. Higher speeds, up to 130 km/h are possible but not recommended due to poor handling and possibility of engine damage.

Acknowledgements. "On a wing and a prayer" sung by Leonid and Edith Utesov: thewalls.newmail.ru