Chery SQR473F — engine review
Chery SQR473F (1.3 Acteco): Experiences, issues, fuel consumption and buying tips
Key points (TL;DR)
- Design in cooperation with AVL: Although a Chinese product, the engine was developed with the help of Austrian company AVL, which gives it a solid mechanical foundation.
- Easy to maintain: A classic naturally aspirated petrol engine without complicated systems (no turbo, no dual-mass flywheel, no direct injection).
- Electronics as a weak point: Sensors (crankshaft, camshaft, lambda probes) tend to cause problems more often than the mechanical parts.
- Excellent for LPG: Due to indirect injection, this engine is very suitable for LPG conversion.
- Noisy on the highway: Short gear ratios mean high revs at higher speeds.
- Spare parts: Wear parts are cheap, but specific body or electronic components can be harder to find depending on the region.
Contents
- Introduction and applications
- Technical specifications
- Reliability and maintenance
- Specific parts and costs
- Fuel consumption and performance
- Additional options and modifications
- Gearbox
- Buying used and conclusion
Introduction and applications
The engine designated as SQR473F, better known as the 1.3 Acteco, is the heart of many smaller Chery models that tried to conquer the global market in the mid and late 2000s. This power unit is of great importance for the Chinese car industry because it was one of the first results of cooperation with the renowned Austrian engineering company AVL. The goal was to build an engine that meets Euro emission standards while remaining simple and cheap to produce.
You will most often find it in the city runabout Chery Kimo (A1) and the unusually styled Chery QQ6 (S21). Although it looks modest on paper, in practice it has proven to be a rather tough little engine, provided the owner accepts its limits and specific maintenance requirements.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Data |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 1297 cc (1.3 L) |
| Power | 61 kW (83 hp) at 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 114 Nm at 3800–4500 rpm |
| Engine code | SQR473F |
| Injection type | MPI (Multi-Point Injection) |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Number of cylinders / valves | 4 / 16 (DOHC) |
Reliability and maintenance
Timing belt or chain?
The SQR473F engine uses a timing belt for valve timing. This is a classic solution that requires regular attention. Although some factory manuals specify longer intervals, real-world experience and the quality of aftermarket parts call for caution. The major service (replacement of belt, tensioner and water pump) is recommended every 60,000 km or every 4 to 5 years, whichever comes first. A snapped belt on this engine will cause piston-to-valve contact, a failure that often exceeds the value of the vehicle.
Most common failures
The block and cylinder head themselves are mechanically robust, but auxiliary components tend to cause issues:
- Sensors: The crankshaft position sensor and camshaft sensor often fail. Symptoms include stalling while driving, hard starting or rough running.
- Thermostat: It tends to stick open, so in winter the engine struggles to reach operating temperature, which increases fuel consumption and wear.
- Alternator: Diodes or the voltage regulator are prone to failure, especially if the car is driven in wet conditions without an under-engine splash shield.
- Oil leaks: The valve cover gasket is a common leak point, but fortunately cheap to fix.
Oil and spark plugs
The sump of this engine holds about 3.5 to 4 liters of oil (always check with the dipstick). The recommended grade is 5W-40 or 10W-40, depending on climate and mileage. The minor service is done every 10,000 km or once a year.
As for oil consumption, this engine is not known as an "oil burner". Consumption up to 0.5 liters per 10,000 km is acceptable. If it uses more, the usual culprits are valve stem seals or leaks at the oil seals, and less often the piston rings.
Spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 km. Regular nickel plugs are perfectly adequate and cheap. If you run the car on LPG, shorten the interval to 20,000 km.
Specific parts and costs
Dual-mass flywheel and injection
Good news for your budget: this engine uses a solid (single-mass) flywheel. There are no expensive clutch repairs like on modern diesels. The injection system is a classic Bosch MPI (or a Chinese-licensed equivalent), which has proven to be very reliable. Injectors rarely cause problems unless extremely dirty fuel is used. Injector cleaning is a simple and inexpensive procedure.
Turbo, DPF, EGR
The SQR473F is "old school". It has no turbocharger, no DPF filter, and no AdBlue system. It does have an EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation system) that can get clogged from city driving, which shows up as hesitation or "flat spots" while driving, but it can be cleaned. Overall, exhaust system maintenance is cheap.
Fuel consumption and performance
Real-world fuel consumption
Don’t let the small 1.3-liter displacement fool you. This is not the most economical engine in the world, partly due to older technology and partly because of short gearbox ratios.
- City driving: Expect between 8 and 9.5 l/100 km. In winter and heavy traffic it can reach 10 liters.
- Open road: At speeds up to 80–90 km/h, consumption drops to around 5.5–6 l/100 km.
- Motorway (130 km/h): Consumption rises to about 7.5–8.5 l/100 km due to high revs.
Is the engine "sluggish"?
With 83 hp in a body weighing around 1000–1100 kg (Kimo), the engine is perfectly adequate for city use. It pulls well from a standstill. However, the 114 Nm of torque is available only at higher revs. This means that for overtaking or climbing hills you will often have to shift down and rev the engine above 3500–4000 rpm. If the car is fully loaded and the A/C is on, the drop in performance is noticeable.
Behaviour on the motorway
This is not a car for long-distance cruising. At 130 km/h, the engine spins at a high 4000+ rpm in fifth gear. This creates noise in the cabin and increases fuel consumption. The engine can handle it, but passenger comfort suffers.
Additional options and modifications
LPG conversion
The SQR473F is an ideal candidate for an LPG system. It has a metal intake manifold (on older versions) or a quality plastic one, and hydraulic tappets (on most versions, although checking valve clearances at high mileage is not a bad idea). A sequential LPG system works perfectly here and drastically reduces running costs without a significant loss of power.
Chip tuning (Stage 1)
Since this is a naturally aspirated petrol engine, chip tuning makes no real sense. The gain would be in the range of 2–4 hp, which is imperceptible in everyday driving. That money is better spent on quality tyres or regular maintenance.
Gearbox
Types and issues
This engine is most commonly paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. There were also versions with an automated manual transmission (AMT), but they are rarer.
- Manual gearbox: Mechanically robust, but imprecise. The gear lever throw can be long and rubbery. Second-gear synchros may grind if you shift quickly. Gearbox oil should be changed every 40,000 to 60,000 km (75W-90).
- AMT (robotised) gearbox: The advice is to avoid it. The actuators that change gears are prone to failure, repairs are expensive, and the driving experience is unpleasant due to jerks during gear changes.
The clutch kit (pressure plate, disc, release bearing) is a wear item. Replacement cost is in the affordable/cheap category (depending on the market), and typical lifespan is around 100,000 km of city driving.
Buying used and conclusion
When buying a car with the SQR473F engine, pay attention to the following:
- Check Engine light: Always hook up a diagnostic tool. It often lights up because of the lambda sensor or catalytic converter.
- Cold start: The engine should start immediately and quickly settle into a stable idle. Fluctuating revs indicate a dirty idle control valve or a sensor problem.
- Noise: Listen for "whistling" belts or metallic valve noise. The engine should run smoothly.
- Signs of leaks: Check the joint between engine and gearbox, as well as the valve cover.
Conclusion: The Chery 1.3 Acteco (SQR473F) is an engine that offers a lot for little money. It is not refined, it is not quiet, and it uses a bit more fuel in the city, but it is mechanically simple and cheap to maintain. It is aimed at drivers who need a reliable means of transport from point A to point B and are willing to tolerate a somewhat rougher engine and cheaper interior plastics. If you find a car with a well-documented service history (especially the major service), it can serve you well for years, especially with an LPG system installed.
