Nikasil Engines
Discussion
Most of them 
Nikasil issues hit Porsche, BMW and Jaguar. Jaguar were worse as more owners did short trips (like just out of the garage) and the cylinders needed an additional oil feed (added on the 4.2) and they over fuel on choke and flood easily. All cars were checked and bad engines swapped, initially with another Nikasil block. Some cars may even have had engine swaps due to flooding and low compression. Mines on 123K original Nikasil 
Nikasil issues hit Porsche, BMW and Jaguar. Jaguar were worse as more owners did short trips (like just out of the garage) and the cylinders needed an additional oil feed (added on the 4.2) and they over fuel on choke and flood easily. All cars were checked and bad engines swapped, initially with another Nikasil block. Some cars may even have had engine swaps due to flooding and low compression. Mines on 123K original Nikasil I ran a Nik engine from 123,000 through to 150,000 when i sold it, no issues at all.
Currently got a '98 XKR on its origional engine with 72,000 on it, again no issues thus far. Much better quality fuel these days and those that have survived will go on to for many years.
Funny how Merc's and BMW had the same issues with their Nikasil engines though its not raised as much as a fuss.....
D
Currently got a '98 XKR on its origional engine with 72,000 on it, again no issues thus far. Much better quality fuel these days and those that have survived will go on to for many years.
Funny how Merc's and BMW had the same issues with their Nikasil engines though its not raised as much as a fuss.....
D
Given that the problem is so far in the past, I suspect it would be quite possible to buy a Jaguar with Nikasil liners these days without even realising it. Funny that it comes up in every buyer's guide for the relevant cars, it's worth taking note of and knowing what the issue is but it wouldn't be high on my list of concerns these days.
I suspect the spectre of Nikasil looms larger in the UK than anywhere else, and you are correct in that Mercedes and BMW quietly corrected the problem whereas it's still spoken of as a great reason to avoid a Jaguar. I think though, this is just part of the popular British trait of knocking the home product. Though when I was in the market for an E38 7 Series* a couple of years ago, most guides mentioned treating the 735i with caution because a lot had suffered liner failure 'or could do so at any moment'.
I suspect the spectre of Nikasil looms larger in the UK than anywhere else, and you are correct in that Mercedes and BMW quietly corrected the problem whereas it's still spoken of as a great reason to avoid a Jaguar. I think though, this is just part of the popular British trait of knocking the home product. Though when I was in the market for an E38 7 Series* a couple of years ago, most guides mentioned treating the 735i with caution because a lot had suffered liner failure 'or could do so at any moment'.
- FWIW, having nearly bought a 728i and now having the XJ8, I prefer the Jaguar!
I always use the super unleaded and I also heard cheap fuel was also a problem.I had a blow test done and it came out start 854 finished 876 = 22.
just done about 1500 miles absolutely no issues on starting and no oil use at all.
It is going in for new timing chains and tensioners soon.
just done about 1500 miles absolutely no issues on starting and no oil use at all.
It is going in for new timing chains and tensioners soon.
deadslow said:
Interesting. I am considering a 99 XJR which has a Nik engine. Blowby test apparently carried out and all fine. What should I be looking for if I ask the guy for the results of the test?
(I feel this thread is practically an omen telling me to buy
)
If you read too much you will not buy it.(I feel this thread is practically an omen telling me to buy
)The sulphur problem was sorted in early 2000 so mine only had a couple of months on it.The way I understand it is this. If it starts well with no issues and does not use oil then you are on your way and to be fair these are signs you would checkout in any Car.Look at some of the responses with Cars doing well over 150k.
Nikasil is actually a good thing if used properly I think Porsche/BMW still use it.
johnxjsc1985 said:
deadslow said:
Interesting. I am considering a 99 XJR which has a Nik engine. Blowby test apparently carried out and all fine. What should I be looking for if I ask the guy for the results of the test?
(I feel this thread is practically an omen telling me to buy )
If you read too much you will not buy it.(I feel this thread is practically an omen telling me to buy
)The sulphur problem was sorted in early 2000 so mine only had a couple of months on it.The way I understand it is this. If it starts well with no issues and does not use oil then you are on your way and to be fair these are signs you would checkout in any Car.Look at some of the responses with Cars doing well over 150k.
Nikasil is actually a good thing if used properly I think Porsche/BMW still use it.
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