A 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 133 liters is installed on the Lifan X60. with. This is enough for a measured, calm ride. Those owners who want more from the car change the firmware. At the same time, one of the main advantages of the Lifan X60 engine is moderate consumption in the city, you can invest in 10 liters per 100 km. But it all depends on the driving style, the type of drive, the installed box: a five-speed manual transmission, a variator.
In general, the X60 resembles the Toyota RAV-4 CA30 crossover, which was produced until 2013. There is a similar grille, side panels, outlines of the front optics. Lifan is inferior to its Japanese counterpart in reliability and technical characteristics. Although this is a decent car for the money. Consider the pros and cons.
AdvantagesLifan X60 | disadvantagesLifan X60 |
| ✓ Good value for money, even in the most "charged" versions | X Obvious assembly jambs - both in the body and in the cabin |
| ✓ Large ground clearance - 180 mm | X You need to get used to a kind of "clutch-box" combination |
| ✓ Spacious interior, roomy trunk (1638 liters with folded seats and shelf) | X Weak paintwork, in some places rust appears on the arches, the trunk lid, under the door seals |
| ✓ Successful in terms of clarity and smoothness of switching the box, which is a rarity for Chinese-made cars | |
| ✓ High energy intensity of the suspension |
Lifan X60 engine: detailed acquaintance, resource assessment
The four-cylinder in-line engine Lifan X60 LFB479Q is presented by the Chinese company as its own unique development, which was made jointly with the British company Ricardo. In reality, this is a prototype of the Toyota ICE 1ZZ-FE. The Japanese engine was installed on Avensis, Corolla, Matrix, Celica. It is considered reliable, but with runs over 150 thousand km, it begins to eat oil: oil scraper rings, exhaust valves coke, the gaps between the piston and the cylinder walls are broken. This is fraught with the failure of the catalyst, which is often changed to a flame arrester. To avoid such a fate, you need to follow the maintenance schedule and refuel with high-quality gasoline.
If you have filled fuel of questionable quality, we recommend using a combustion catalyst. It will increase the octane number of gasoline, minimize carbon formation and consumption, save you from the Check Engine engine error, which often lights up when refueling with gasoline with an octane rating below 93. Such an error can lead to changes in the engine management program.
The RVS-Master tribotechnical composition will also help extend the lifespan of the Lifan X60 engine. For processing LFB479Q you will need (the volume of oil in the system is 3.5 liters). Thanks to the processing of the Lifan X60 motor with a friction geomodifier, it will be possible to:
- Normalize compression by restoring working surfaces with a metal-ceramic layer.
- Simplify cold start.
- Reduce noise and vibration.
- Stabilize idle speed.
- To achieve an increase in the resource - up to 120 thousand km.
With runs of more than 100 thousand km, it makes sense for the Lifan X60 to use it, which will improve the functioning of injectors and dynamics, eliminate dips during acceleration, and reduce gasoline consumption.
What is remarkable about the Lifan X60 box?
For the Lifan X60 crossover, a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic are available. The manual transmission is quite durable, although aggressive driving style, driving on rough terrain, and untimely oil change can reduce its resource. This will manifest itself with a characteristic howl, difficulties with switching, extraneous sounds of a metallic nature. If the aforementioned problems are related to natural mechanical wear, treatment with a compound will help. This will restore the geometry of the gears, increase the resource of parts, compensate for existing wear, and make gear shifting smoother.
The versions with automatic transmission use the popular Punch Powertrain CVT. The oil in it should be changed after a mileage of 60 thousand km. And for the restoration and prevention of breakdowns, it is advisable to combine it with the treatment of the Lifan X60 box with the composition.
Among the manufacturers of gasoline engines, one of the leading places in the world market is occupied by the Chinese industrial group Lifan Industry Co. Ltd (Lifan Group). The Lifan engine is produced by the company in a wide range.
The enterprises of the Lifan Group produce power units that are successfully installed on:
- cars of any carrying capacity;
- mopeds and motorcycles;
- pumps and presses;
- garden, snow removal and household appliances.
The technical characteristics of Lifan motors meet the requirements of world standards, and the optimal price / quality ratio enables the company to compete with the most famous manufacturers of power units.
Of particular interest are automobile gasoline engines developed in cooperation with the British engineering firm Ricardo. An example of effective cooperation is the Lifan LFB479Q engine installed on the Lifan X 60 crossover.
In addition, the company's engineers, using the developments of the world's leading manufacturers, independently design reliable automobile engines. So, the LF48Q3 gasoline engine, designed for the Lifan Solano model, was developed on the basis of the Toyota 4A-EF licensed agent, which has long been the standard of reliability and quality all over the world.
Lifan car engine specifications
| OPTIONS | MEANING |
|---|---|
| Working volume of cylinders, cc | Depending on the type of engine: 1794 (LFB479Q) 1587 (LF481Q3) |
| Power, hp with | 128 (LFB479Q) 106 (LF481Q3) |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 79 (LFB479Q) 81 (LF481Q3) |
| Compression ratio | 10 (LFB479Q) 9.5 (LF481Q3) |
| Piston stroke, mm | 91.5 (LFB479Q) 77 (LF481Q3) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Ignition algorithm | 1 - 3 - 4 -2 |
| Supply system | Distributed fuel injection |
| Combustion chamber shape | Comb (LFB479Q) Wedge (LF481Q3) |
| Gas distribution mechanism | DOHC 16V + VVT-i (LFB479Q) DOHC 16V (LF481Q3) |
| Lubrication system | Combined (spray and pressure) |
| Oil volume, l | 3.5 (LFB479Q) 4 (LF481Q3) |
| Oil type | Not lower than category SG (LFB479Q) 5W-40, 10W-40 (LF481Q3) |
| Cooling system | Forced circulation of coolant |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline A-92, A-95 |
| Fuel consumption, l / 100 km | 8.2 (LFB479Q) 8 (LF481Q3) |
The engine was installed on the following cars: Lifan X 60 and Lifan Solano.
Description
Chinese engines Lifan LFB479Q and LF481Q3 are structurally an in-line four-cylinder power unit with two overhead camshafts and a 16-valve cylinder head (DOHC 16V).
Their design has a lot in common, for example, the same type of lubrication and cooling systems. Fuel is supplied by the multipoint injection method with an electronically controlled throttle valve.
However, there are significant differences in the design of the motors. For example:
- the timing mechanism in the LF481Q3 motor is driven by a belt whose service life does not exceed 100 thousand km, and in the LFB479Q a metal chain with a large margin of safety is used for this purpose;
- the combustion chamber of the LF481Q3 engine, in contrast to the LFB479Q, has a wedge-shaped shape, which ensures a high fuel combustion rate and reduces the loss of coolant;
- the piston stroke in the LF481Q3 motor is less than the cylinder bore (short-stroke engine), which requires higher rpm to achieve maximum power;
- motors and electronic control systems differ. The LFB479Q power unit is equipped with an efficient variable valve timing system VVT-i, which allows you to get maximum torque (168 Nm) already at 4200 rpm. min.
Tuning
Chinese engines LFB479Q and LF481Q3 in a specialized tuning studio can be subjected to CHIP tuning.
Engine tuning performed by specialists will allow:
- Increase power.
- Eliminate factory software flaws that lead to unpredictable jerks and jerks.
- Increase the service life.
- Improve the responsiveness of the electronic gas pedal.
- Reduce fuel consumption.
- Increase the torque value.
For firmware, use the OBDII diagnostic connector, which, as a rule, is located in the pedal area.
Lifan low-power motors
One of the priorities in the work of the Lifan Group is the development and serial production of gasoline engines with a capacity of 2.5 to 15 liters from.
There are also models among them:
- with electric starter;
- with a reduction gear;
- with automatic clutch;
- with a coil of lighting.
These engines are installed on:
- Motoblocks.
- Electric generators.
- Motorized towing vehicles, motor winches, etc.
A typical representative of this type of product is the Lifan190F-R single-cylinder engine, with a capacity of 15 hp, and is designed for installation on cultivators and other low-power equipment. It is distinguished by its durability and economy, and the presence of a reduction gear allows expanding the scope of its application.
In addition, the motor is equipped with a lighting coil, which makes it possible to connect the necessary equipment with a total power of no more than 40 W.
To start it, a transistor ignition system is used, which ensures reliable operation in all operating conditions.
The whole photo session The idea of a perpetual motion machine has been around for many hundreds of years. But so far there is not a single working model - the law of conservation of energy cannot be fooled!
Four of us comfortably loaded into the cherry X60, we also filled the trunk to the eyeballs, and now we are slowly rolling towards Mount Akhun. The fuel gauge flashes and subtly hints that our crossover is about to stall. But we have already driven about thirty kilometers along the mountain serpentines in the vicinity of Sochi and have never even turned off the air conditioner!
Have they finally built a working model of a perpetual motion machine in China? The design of the float is such that it can be easily damaged during assembly of the fuel tank. And it’s not clear who is to blame - the Chinese, who designed such a fragile part, or the workers of the Russian Derways plant, who showed negligence during assembly.
With an eye on the best
The X60 has a classic suspension design - McPherson at the front and an independent three-link at the rear. But they are not tuned in the best way, when cornering with good asphalt, the crossover heels heavily, and its rear wheels "walk" left and right in the lateral direction. Although on straight sections, the car is quite stable. Is that a little harshly overcomes the joints and pits. But if you are a supporter of the saying "the quieter you drive, the further you will be", you will not find anything particularly negative in the habits and manners of the X60.
Most importantly, in the bustle of the city, the X60 feels like a completely compact car, which, due to huge mirrors and a large glass area, makes it easy to rebuild and park even on the narrowest streets.
"To sail in full sail"
Imagine this situation: you need to get somewhere by sea, while the time allotted for the trip is not limited. What will you do? Raise the sail and, due to the energy of the wind, you will float calmly, where your eyes are looking. Isn't it a perpetual motion machine? The main thing is to avoid storms and periodically patch up the sail when it gets worn out. Of course, it is possible to sail by land only in the deserts.
But on the whole, the essence is very clear - for free and for as long as you like today you can move only due to "free" wind energy ... and also due to solar energy, of course. But night happens much more often than absolute calm at sea.
So the Chinese company Lifan has chosen a "perpetual motion machine" as its logo - three stylized sails, symbolizing quality, innovative technologies and customer care.
True, we did not find exceptional innovations in the Lifan X60, and the quality of the car, despite the Circassian assembly, remained at a "typically Chinese" level. The plastic sill strip in the area of the left rear door came off right during the test drive, debris of peeling sound insulation was found under the arches, and traces of poor-quality casting and subsequent processing on the suspension arms.
At the same time, the gaps on the body are different in places, the tailgate can only be closed by a person with strong muscles, and the mechanism of the rocker arm of the manual gearbox crunches during switching.
What the Chinese are really strong at is customer care. They promise by next year to present specifically for the Russian market a version of the X60 with a dark leather interior, as well as with all-wheel drive.
At the same time, with the maintenance and service, for which the Chinese are traditionally scolded, Lifan is also doing well. Spare parts and consumables worth several million have already been delivered to the central warehouse in Moscow, and soon regional dealers will have their stocks, by the way, as many as 79.
But the segment of affordable off-road vehicles is constantly expanding. And even now there is strong competition in it: you can buy Chinese analogues of Chery Tiggo / Vortex Tingo, you can support a domestic manufacturer and get a Chevy Niva, or do it easier and buy a bestseller - Renault Duster. How does the Lifan X60 stand out against the background of this fraternity? Its main advantages are rich equipment and a spacious interior. Representatives of the company promised to stabilize the quality of the Circassian assembly and Chinese components.
The fact that the Chinese are copying with might and main the developments of eminent manufacturers is no secret to anyone. Lifan uses licensed copies of Toyota engines in his models, which he adjusts (most likely in order to reduce the cost of production) to his standards. For example, in a popular model, but with modifications.
An engine is installed on the Lifan X60, which was copied from the legendary 1ZZ-FE series, which is legendary throughout the Far East.
The index of the 1.8-liter Lifan engine has the abbreviation LFB479Q.
Chain or belt
Let's immediately answer the question that worries many lifanovodov, belt or chain? Rejoice ...
Although the chain has its drawbacks, most domestic motorists are very afraid of a belt break, probably this is a fear from the domestic auto industry.
Engine features
The location of the power unit at the Lifan X60 is transverse. Engine with variable valve timing system. By the way, the LFB479Q version is called VVT, in which there is clearly a connection with Toyota's VVT-i development. The Chinese removed the -i (with intelegence) prefix. An interesting fact is that the British (engineering company Ricardo) took part in the development of the Chinese engine.
Toyota's engine was very reliable, it was put on the most popular models, including the Corolla (the best-selling car in the world in class C), Avensis and even Celica. The most common problem was oil consumption - this is a disease of all engines with VVT-i technology, which is caused by a design feature and manifests itself after 150 thousand km.
Photo, where the rings are stuck on the 1ZZ-FE engine, resulting in increased oil consumption.
In the Far East, they solved the problem in a not very beautiful way. Most owners just put up with it. They switched to semi-synthetics (while the specification should be 5w-30 synthetics) - it is cheaper. But it is worth remembering that in the Far East such engines do not capitalize, they simply order contract spare parts - these are spare parts with a mileage of no more than 50-70 thousand. Japan is islands, you can't hit it anymore. But the Japanese do not have contract Chinese engines of the LFB479Q series, and cannot be. Swap capability is unknown.
If the Lifan X60 engine starts to eat oil, then the catalyst may soon fail. In this case, it is changed to a flame arrester, the company has worked out the technology, but the cost is not cheap.
Every year, representatives of the Chinese automotive industry are gaining new leadership positions in the market. With the growth of positions, there is also a strengthening of the confidence of motorists in SUVs and crossovers from the "Celestial Empire". A large private company Lifan was one of the first to volunteer to dispel negative perceptions about the reliability and quality of products from China. In 2011, the company presented a compact crossover named Lifan X60. In a relatively short period of time, the car was able to hit the main car charts, including the list of the best Chinese crossovers.
Why did domestic drivers like the model? Everything is extremely simple. The Lifan X60 is an inexpensive and affordable mid-size crossover with good dynamic characteristics. The car is quite simple in terms of construction: a 1.8-liter Toyota gasoline engine, a reliable manual 5-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive. It is pleasant to drive in such a car even in the city, and you can drive along a country road with relative comfort. But, before buying a crossover, it is best to immediately find out what the resource of the Lifan X60 engine is.
What engine is under the hood of Lifan X60?
Chinese engineers do not hide the fact that during the design of the car, their views were focused on the bestsellers of the automotive world - and the Hyundai Santa Fe. As a result of the Japanese-Korean symbiosis, something in between came out, but it should be said that the outwardly model turned out to be attractive. In addition to the design, the technical component was also borrowed: a 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE engine was installed under the hood of the crossover, which has become legendary with operation on many Japanese cars, which have covered 500 thousand kilometers or more with great success. True, the motor underwent some changes before installation.
The English company Ricardo was engaged in optimization of the engine for the Chinese crossover. The engine was equipped with a variable valve timing system, the installation itself received a transverse arrangement. The powertrain index is LFB479Q. The changes also affected the control unit - it was equipped with a different firmware - and the Chinese developed some of the layout elements on their own. At the output, the engine received 128 horsepower at 6000 rpm.
LFB479Q Specifications:
- type - four-cylinder, in-line engine;
- number of valves - 16:
- compression ratio - 10;
- preferred gasoline - AI-95;
- piston stroke - 91.5.
The uncontested front-wheel drive modification of the crossover suggests that the car is adapted to Russian operating conditions, but, nevertheless, not fully. If the "Chinese" overcomes bumps and small potholes without problems, then he cannot cope with heavy off-road conditions. For urban use, the model is best suited. Thanks to electronic fuel injection, it was possible to reduce the level of fuel consumption of the unit by as much as 3%. At the same time, the motor is 8% more powerful than similar engine options thanks to Delphi and Bosch control systems.
Potential resource
The LFB479Q motor took over from the parent in the person of 1ZZ-FE not only the main advantages, but also the disadvantages. Chinese engineers, together with British designers, have done a lot of work in improving the engine, they really managed to increase the power and reduce the "appetite" of the unit. There are not so many chronic diseases in the Toyota engine. Motorists note a slight overconsumption of oil after 150 thousand kilometers. And this is really a fact, proven by the practice of operating a car with motors of the VVT-I series. It is almost impossible to influence this process, since the level of lubricant consumption is largely predetermined by the design feature of the engine.
When LFB479Q starts to "eat" oil, many owners decide on not the cheapest procedure - replacing the catalyst with a flame arrester. With excessive consumption of engine oil, the failure of the catalytic converter is a matter of time. For this reason, the first problems with the engine can begin after 150-200 thousand kilometers. In China, car owners have found the following way out of the situation: switch from the recommended mineral lubricant to semi-synthetics.
LFB479Q maintenance operating rules:
- The first MOT pass after 3000 km of run - completely replace the engine oil;
- Do not exceed 3500 rpm of the crankshaft during the first 1000 kilometers;
- Do not drive long distances during the running-in period;
- Do not tow the car;
- Refuel with the recommended AI-95 fuel, otherwise there may be problems with the engine at an early stage;
- Adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for engine oil selection and material change intervals.
A resource-intensive chain is installed on the LFB479Q as a drive. On average, it serves for 100 thousand kilometers. It is necessary to periodically check its condition, due to the unfavorable operating conditions of the car, early stretching of the product is possible. With timely and high-quality service, the lifespan of the Lifan X60 engine will be 300 - 350 thousand kilometers.
Car owners reviews
The Chinese are strong in the quality of the service and service provided, thanks to these advantages, compared to other representatives, today they are able to win an increasing number of buyers. There are plenty of parts and components in Russia for Lifan X60 in every city. At the same time, Chinese car manufacturers are largely focused not only on the domestic market, but also on the external one, in particular, on the Russian one. Domestic buyers have access to various car configurations: from basic to luxury. What is the resource of the Lifan X60 engine in fact, the reviews of the owners will tell in detail.
- Egor, Taganrog. Lifan X60 acquired in 2012 at a dealership. Served there the first time. The break-in period went smoothly and without incident. After passing the first 3,000 km, the engine oil was completely changed. The engine runs stably, the rpm does not float. I am also satisfied with the dynamics of the car. Many people complain about the lack of motor power. I disagree with that. The car feels confident on the track. When overtaking, it does not suffocate. I try not to overload the installation. Already passed 120 thousand kilometers. The oil does not "eat", I change it according to the regulations. There were no problems with the car. Of course, the "Chinese" does not reach the level and status of RAV-4 or Santa Fe, but it may well compete, for example, with the Kia Rio.
- Albert, Moscow. Before buying a crossover at an attractive price, I was interested in one question: "What engine is in the Leaf X60?" As a result, it turned out that the engine was Toyota. Without hesitation, he collected the required amount of money and went shopping. I bought a new car in the salon, it was in 2013. Since then, the car has covered 130 thousand km. Were there any problems with the engine? Absolutely none. I fill in the recommended G-Energy F Synth 0W-40 lubricant. The oil is inexpensive, but sometimes it is not so easy to get it. As an alternative, I recommend Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech with a viscosity of 5W30.
- Sergey, Voronezh. The Lifan X60 crossover was presented to me by my parents. I'm not a fan of big cars, but I personally liked this model. I have been using the car for 5 years, the odometer now shows exactly 100 thousand kilometers. According to the manufacturer, the engine resource is at least 200 thousand kilometers. But, it is quite obvious that the figure varies up and down, depending on the timeliness of the maintenance. I monitor the condition of the motor, so there have never been any problems with it. I have not even changed the chain yet, but it may soon be necessary to do this work, since its service life is designed specifically for 100 tyk.
- Vyacheslav, Irkutsk. I got a car straight from China. For four years of driving the Lifan X60, I can say responsibly that the Chinese have seriously prepared for the release of this model, have spent a lot of effort and money on the implementation of the idea. It turned out to be a good product, and the motor is excellent. Something, but the engine in this car is reliable. Slightly other components of the vehicle suffer - the suspension, there are drawbacks in the cabin. But these are trifles when you consider the cost of the Lifan X60. Recently I was at the service station, the masters carried out diagnostics, they said that the engine was in excellent condition, and this was after 95 thousand kilometers. Also from their words: the resource LFB479Q is at least 300,000 km.
- Valery, St. Petersburg. I was personally convinced more than once that cars with a 1ZZ-FE engine run half a million kilometers. As we know, the LFB479Q is the prototype of the Toyota engine. We can safely assume that the lifespan of the Lifan X60 installation is at least 300 thousand km. I have a 2012 crossover in the maximum configuration. I'm surprised by the car in the positive sense of the word. The Chinese have really learned how to make decent SUVs and crossovers. Today the mileage is 160 thousand. Oil from replacement to replacement.
- Kirill, Rostov. Nice car that I have been using since 2015. I took the car in the secondary market in excellent condition for a decent amount. At that time, the car's mileage was 50 thousand km. Today there are already 110 tyk. The powertrain is sensitive to the quality of fuel and engine oil. Refuel only at proven stations, and do not deviate from the manufacturer's recommendations in terms of choosing engine oil. At the very least, get worthy counterparts. Otherwise, the oil scraper will coke, the gaps will be violated, the valve mechanism will fly. Then problems cannot be avoided. Personally, there were no problems with my car. Starts in any weather, oil does not "eat", although the network writes that the engine is characterized by a "masloger". Who knows, perhaps the time has not come yet. But I am sure that with the right attitude and breakdowns of the "heart" of the car will not be.
The lifespan of the Lifan X60 engine is in strict correlation with the quality of service of the crossover. Many owners are trying to extend the life of the power plant by using repair and recovery compounds. In practice, such manipulations often lead to the desired result: the compression is normalized, the engine noise level during operation is reduced, and the engine resource also increases by several tens of thousands of kilometers. The LFB479Q motor is designed for 300 - 350 thousand kilometers. It is very easy to develop the full potential of the manufacturer in the installation, but it is not so easy to extend the service life of the CPG parts.
