'96 328 down on power...

[brendonj]

After putting shell optimax in for the first time I noticed a slight but definite improvement in power over the normal 25 octane I put in. I then did a track day and refilled again with optimax.

However in the last couple of weeks I have noticed the power seems to have dropped of a bit. Not sure if I have done something whilst tracking it but any thoughts/suggestions would be welcome.

Many thanks.

[Julian64]

The dreaded nikasil block I'd wager.

[wiggy001]

25 Octane petrol I'll wager!

[JRSE]

Opti is meant to be nearer 98. Regular 95.

Presume it's a typo!

[brendonj]

yep normally 95 (typo) goes in it.

ps nikasil block?

[xm5er]

Nikasil is the coating they used on the bores of early m52 (or is it m54) engines. Sulphurous petrol leaches it resulting in oval bores. I'd be very surprised if it reared its head at this stage.

Do google on it there is loads of info out there. Also if your car has had a new engine at some time in is past then it will have been sorted already.

[Julian64]

Here goes. BMW thought it would be a groovy idea to make an engine with a special liner called nikasil. Cheap and effective, the more upmarket BMWs had alluseal blocks.

However the sulpur content in petrol changed country to country or time to time and it was found that this was corrosive to the lining.

BMW immediately put their hands up and agreed to do a free compression check on any car they knew was fitted with this liner (yours is) THAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS, and that had done less than 100k. If the compression check was found to be below certain limits it would result in the assumption of nikasil damage and you would get a free block fitted at BMW expense.

All dealers are WELL aware of this problem, and the path is a well trodden one.

[apache]

When did nikasil begin to get used?

[xm5er]

apache said:

When did nikasil begin to get used?

With the first V8 blocks on the e34, so early 540s had the problem too.

Nikasil has been around for years though, I remember lots of bikes using it in the 80's, particularly 2 strokes.

[Julian64]

Think it was early ninetees

[muzzy]

Try www.e36coupe.com/forum

Loads of really helpful stuff on anything E36.

[turbo tim]

brendonj said:

After putting shell optimax in for the first time I noticed a slight but definite improvement in power over the normal 25 octane I put in. I then did a track day and refilled again with optimax. However in the last couple of weeks I have noticed the power seems to have dropped of a bit. Not sure if I have done something whilst tracking it but any thoughts/suggestions would be welcome. Many thanks.

Hi brendonj

What was the outcome of your loss of power problem? Was it a drop in power all of the time, or intermittent?

[Marshy]

Worth a read: www.koalamotorsport.com/article-m60v8.asp

As far as I know it's equally applicable to the straight six engines from the same period.

[brendonj]

It just felt sluggish esp when putting your foot down exiting cnrs.

However I gave it to BMW Parkwest (west london) who serviced it (charging me about £80 an hr!) and its running beautifully again.

[wiggy001]

Ah, that'll be the service light/performance reduction parallel:

BMWs are programmed to reduce their power by 10bhp each time a service light disappears. This loss is reinstated when the car is serviced, putting a huge smile on your face just minutes after shelling out the average american's burger budget for the pleasure of looking at the dealer's shiney walls and drinking their coffee...

[turbo tim]

wiggy001 said:

BMWs are programmed to reduce their power by 10bhp each time a service light disappears.

surely?

[Marshy]

wiggy001 said:

Ah, that'll be the service light/performance reduction parallel: BMWs are programmed to reduce their power by 10bhp each time a service light disappears.

Right bummer in a 316i that...