Nikasil dates

[JulesV]

I have a friend with a 325Ci which he bought new. It has full BMW service history and it seems to suddenly be needing oil top ups. It has done just over 70,000 miles. Is a car of this age likely to have Nikasil problems and if so is a claim likely to be successful after all this time?

Any advice gratefully received.

[E30M3SE]

March 1998 IIRC, and only the single VANOS M52 units that were affected, not M50 or the double vanos M52.

If your calling your car a Ci I assume it to be a E46, in which case again it is not affected.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 20th August 12:25

[JulesV]

E30M3SE said:

March 1998 IIRC, and only the single VANOS M52 units that were affected, not M50 or the double vanos M52.

If your calling your car a Ci I assume it to be a E46, in which case again it is not affected.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 20th August 12:25

Thank you, yes it is an E46, registered in March 2002. That will put his mind at rest to a degree, strange though that it is using oil.

[Maruchino]

Numerous topics on here how high(er) mileage E46's chew through oil. Some people have little to no oil burning issues, others (like me) have had a few.

Mine went through about 750ml every 1200-1500 miles. According to my BMW mechanic friend this is not excessive. 1l every 600 miles is considered excessive. (I'm pretty sure I've got that right, but don't string me up if that figure is wrong! ).

[JamesK]

Definitely not a Nikasil issue as others have said.

Just to set the record straight, Nikasil lined engines are not problematic in themselves. Indeed some say they are better performing than steel lined ones.

Nikasil is only a problem when mixed with high sulphur content fuel, which was not sold in the UK after early 1998.

[phelix]

Could be a problem with the crankcase breather valve - valve and associated hoses about £100 plus labour to replace.

[JulesV]

phelix said:

Could be a problem with the crankcase breather valve - valve and associated hoses about £100 plus labour to replace.

Thanks very much. He has booked the car into the garage who have also said that it is probably this.

[bimmer_87]

High consumption on M54 blocks is down to worn valve stem seals, which wear pre-maturely, this is what i found when i did some research.

try higher viscosity oil, im running Castrol 10W60, which is what 'M' cars use,my BMW specialist recommended it, it's actually an ester synthetic, which is slightly better then fully synth, but not as good with thermal stability.

600 miles since it was changed, not a drop so far. (touch wood)