The old Nikasil issue.....
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking for a car and I quite fancy an E39. I've seen a 523i SE for not a lot of money.
Now I know about the Nikasil/high sulphur content problem and I've read that it shouldn't be an issue from March 1998. The car I've seen was first registered on 30th March 1998, would this mean, for definite, that it wouldn't have this problem?
Cheers
Nick
I'm looking for a car and I quite fancy an E39. I've seen a 523i SE for not a lot of money.
Now I know about the Nikasil/high sulphur content problem and I've read that it shouldn't be an issue from March 1998. The car I've seen was first registered on 30th March 1998, would this mean, for definite, that it wouldn't have this problem?
Cheers
Nick
Robatr0n said:
Its highly possible that it won't be an issue for you but one thing to remember is that if the car were to develop a Nikasil issue its more than likely that it would have already occured earlier on in its life. 
Thanks for the quick reply.Could you say the same for another one I've seen. Registered Feb 1998 but only has 62000 miles on the clock.
It's worth doing a bit of research to see if the cars you're looking at actually have the nikasil block, because I'm sure it was around 1998 that BMW changed them to alusil, which doesn't give any problems.
Nikasil was only ever a problem in the UK, and was caused by the high sulphur content in the petrol in this country, which dissolved the nikasil lining in the cylinder bores. That petrol was phased out quite a number of years ago now, so if the car hasn't developed a problem by now, then it will be unlikely to do so in the future.
Many of the nikasil engines were replaced by BMW under warranty, for those with alusil blocks. A quick call to BMW customer services with the chassis no of the car will tell you if that was done.
Nikasil was only ever a problem in the UK, and was caused by the high sulphur content in the petrol in this country, which dissolved the nikasil lining in the cylinder bores. That petrol was phased out quite a number of years ago now, so if the car hasn't developed a problem by now, then it will be unlikely to do so in the future.
Many of the nikasil engines were replaced by BMW under warranty, for those with alusil blocks. A quick call to BMW customer services with the chassis no of the car will tell you if that was done.
Edited by M5Dave on Thursday 14th June 14:40
Try checking on www.bmwland.co.uk the folk there have lots of knowledge and resources. You may even find a car in their classifieds?
StuB said:
I didn't think the Nickasil issues affected the 2.5 litre engine at all? My understanding was the early 2.8's and the 3.0 and 4.0 V8's. Can anyone confirm?
Having read up on it quite a bit, it affected all 6 cylinder engines on the E39 up to 1st March 1998. I've just had an email back from BMW customer services saying that the one I was looking at that only has 62000 miles on it, hasn't been modified to allow for high sulphur petrol.That leaves me in a bit of a quandry. Either it hasn't come into contact with high sulphur petrol, or it hasn't done enough miles for the affects to be seen. However, as it is a 9 year old car, surely the affects of high sulphur petrol would have been apparent to the previous owner who has had it since 2001?
nickjm said:
StuB said:
I didn't think the Nickasil issues affected the 2.5 litre engine at all? My understanding was the early 2.8's and the 3.0 and 4.0 V8's. Can anyone confirm?
Having read up on it quite a bit, it affected all 6 cylinder engines on the E39 up to 1st March 1998. I've just had an email back from BMW customer services saying that the one I was looking at that only has 62000 miles on it, hasn't been modified to allow for high sulphur petrol.That leaves me in a bit of a quandry. Either it hasn't come into contact with high sulphur petrol, or it hasn't done enough miles for the affects to be seen. However, as it is a 9 year old car, surely the affects of high sulphur petrol would have been apparent to the previous owner who has had it since 2001?
Is it as simple as pre engine number x you have a problem, post engine number x there is no problem? Alternatively, who do I contact at BMW who actually knows the answer so that I can resolve the matter to be on the safe side. The more the topic is raised the more wary I become! And is the March cut off referring to the date of manufacture or the dates the cars were UK registered? Sorry for basic questions but not sure I really understand the date/engine numbers issue correctly.
Hi
this issue was Never an official BMW recall - but rather a Quality Enhancement which dealt with the problems on a "As and When basis" , and each case was dealt with on its own individual merits.
As for the cut off date - forget the registration date - its the production date you need to know.
Symptoms are burning a lot of oil and poor starting.
All 6 cylinder engines of the M50 family were affected ( single Vanos ) and the V8 of 3.0 and 4.0 litre - IE M60 engines.
Any engine that has an electrically controlled thermostat function is not affected.
If you want a production date - then mail me the last seven numbers/letters of the chassis number of the car you wish to buy.
Hope that helps
All the best
Coupe'-Racing
http://www.reliant-scimitar-coupe.co.uk/Coupe_in_C...
this issue was Never an official BMW recall - but rather a Quality Enhancement which dealt with the problems on a "As and When basis" , and each case was dealt with on its own individual merits.
As for the cut off date - forget the registration date - its the production date you need to know.
Symptoms are burning a lot of oil and poor starting.
All 6 cylinder engines of the M50 family were affected ( single Vanos ) and the V8 of 3.0 and 4.0 litre - IE M60 engines.
Any engine that has an electrically controlled thermostat function is not affected.
If you want a production date - then mail me the last seven numbers/letters of the chassis number of the car you wish to buy.
Hope that helps
All the best
Coupe'-Racing
http://www.reliant-scimitar-coupe.co.uk/Coupe_in_C...
Just to add to this, this is the reply I had from BMW customer services. I just sent them the reg number and asked whether it had undergone the enhancement.
BMW Customer services said:
We can confirm that the M52 engine in your BMW 520i Aubergine with grey cloth has not had the lining modification you are referring too. Since March 1st 1998 BMW no longer used the Nikasil lining and now fit cast iron liners to the cylinder bores, which are not susceptible to the sulphur of UK fuel. We can confirm that your vehicle was produced on the 8th January 1998.
We can advise that there was an issue discovered with some M52 engines fitted to certain BMW models between approximately 1995 and 1998. The problem has been referred to as premature bore wear.
BMW fitted some engines with a lining made from Iasi to the cylinder bores. After time, it was found that the high level of Sulphur in some UK fuel started to eat away at this lining and therefore the bores were unprotected. As a result, the bores were prone to premature wear. Since the problem was highlighted, BMW stopped using Nikasil linings and instead fitted cast iron liners to the cylinder bores which were not susceptible to the Sulphur of UK fuels.
A characteristic of a vehicle that is suffering from premature bore wear, is high oil consumption which will get worse as time goes on. The vehicle is then likely to lose power and will eventually cut out and not restart; coupled with blue smoke from the exhaust when attempting starting.
We must stress that not all vehicles fitted with a Nikasil liner have experienced this problem. As this was not a recall item, we will not be able to clarify if your vehicle would be one of the specific models that were affected. It is not possible to identify what lining the bores are coated with from the outside of the engine with markings or engine numbers. The only way to identify whether a vehicle is suffering from a Nikasil issue is to have a compression test carried out by an approved BMW dealer. If as a result of this test, a loss of compression is found to be caused as a direct result of this issue.
We recommend that if the vehicle is demonstrating the above characteristics, that you arrange for your vehicle to be inspected at your earliest convenience by your nearest approved BMW dealership.
We can advise that there was an issue discovered with some M52 engines fitted to certain BMW models between approximately 1995 and 1998. The problem has been referred to as premature bore wear.
BMW fitted some engines with a lining made from Iasi to the cylinder bores. After time, it was found that the high level of Sulphur in some UK fuel started to eat away at this lining and therefore the bores were unprotected. As a result, the bores were prone to premature wear. Since the problem was highlighted, BMW stopped using Nikasil linings and instead fitted cast iron liners to the cylinder bores which were not susceptible to the Sulphur of UK fuels.
A characteristic of a vehicle that is suffering from premature bore wear, is high oil consumption which will get worse as time goes on. The vehicle is then likely to lose power and will eventually cut out and not restart; coupled with blue smoke from the exhaust when attempting starting.
We must stress that not all vehicles fitted with a Nikasil liner have experienced this problem. As this was not a recall item, we will not be able to clarify if your vehicle would be one of the specific models that were affected. It is not possible to identify what lining the bores are coated with from the outside of the engine with markings or engine numbers. The only way to identify whether a vehicle is suffering from a Nikasil issue is to have a compression test carried out by an approved BMW dealer. If as a result of this test, a loss of compression is found to be caused as a direct result of this issue.
We recommend that if the vehicle is demonstrating the above characteristics, that you arrange for your vehicle to be inspected at your earliest convenience by your nearest approved BMW dealership.
Hello all.
I wouldnt worry about Nikasil on an E39 period. The whole thing was sorted by '97 as I understand.
You need to be concerned when looking at E34's (3.0/4.0 V8). E39's used Alusil 3.5 and 4.4 V8's and are not affected. Also some of the six cylinder cars with Alloy blocks. On E36's - 328's for example you should hopefully find evidence of a new short engine but make sure it was done post '97 as before then BMW were still replacing with Nikasil blocks! They didnt work it out 'til '97 onwards.
I run an E34 530i (v8) and although it didnt have any engine replacement evidence, it idles perfectly and uses next to no oil so it is fine.
What I have learned since owning her is that a failing Mass Air Flow meter and or a dead O2 sensor will both give rough idle (especially the O2 sensor) the Air Mass more the drivability but my point is look for evidence of these items being replaced otherwise you may dismiss a non Nikasil car for running rough when it just neds a £90 O2 sensor.
I wouldnt worry about Nikasil on an E39 period. The whole thing was sorted by '97 as I understand.
You need to be concerned when looking at E34's (3.0/4.0 V8). E39's used Alusil 3.5 and 4.4 V8's and are not affected. Also some of the six cylinder cars with Alloy blocks. On E36's - 328's for example you should hopefully find evidence of a new short engine but make sure it was done post '97 as before then BMW were still replacing with Nikasil blocks! They didnt work it out 'til '97 onwards.
I run an E34 530i (v8) and although it didnt have any engine replacement evidence, it idles perfectly and uses next to no oil so it is fine.
What I have learned since owning her is that a failing Mass Air Flow meter and or a dead O2 sensor will both give rough idle (especially the O2 sensor) the Air Mass more the drivability but my point is look for evidence of these items being replaced otherwise you may dismiss a non Nikasil car for running rough when it just neds a £90 O2 sensor.
Edited by dog man on Friday 15th June 10:59
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