Nikasil Web-sites?
Discussion
Does anybody know of a web-site that I can access information regarding nikasil engines? My brother is thinking of buying a particular 323, P reg (so will/would have been affected by the problem), it would be nice to know wether the car in question has had the steel lined block fitted? We have the reg number from the seller. Thanks in advance for any info. on this. 
Edited by peaktorque on Thursday 30th November 20:52
peaktorque said:
Does anybody know of a web-site that I can access information regarding nikasil engines? My brother is thinking of buying a particular 323, P reg (so will/would have been affected by the problem), it would be nice to know wether the car in question has had the steel lined block fitted? We have the reg number from the seller. Thanks in advance for any info. on this. Edited by peaktorque on Thursday 30th November 20:52
First step - get the VIN number from the seller and ring your local BMW dealer and ask them to check. If it has been changed by BMW (as most affected engines were) it will be on the system.
Look at www.bmwland.co.uk - for advice of what to look for if BMW enquiries are inconclusive.
I believe the only conclusive test is a compression test.
Remember that not all engines of this type had the issue but its best to be safe and check out any potential purchase.
Good luck
Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Friday 1st December 07:53
I'd be interested to see a list of all the cars that have Nikasil and which are adversely affected by it. I know that Porsches, Jaguars and Ferraris, to name a few have used (or still use) Nikasil. Also, was Nikasil an issue for these other manufacturers or did it just cause a problem for BMW? I've been a Ferrari enthusiast for many years so I was surprised to read that the 348 has Nikasil when I've never come across any information to suggest that they ever had problems relating to it.
Going with bro. tommorrow to look at the car in question. I have read on a few sites that if the original engine has reached this far then the chances are that it will be o.k, as we no longer use high sulpher petrol (the original cause of failure) and that the block would have become 'resiliant'. Truth or not we will probably take a chance if all seems well!
Give the VIN number to any BMW dealer, they will be able to tell you which block is fitted, or if it has been replaced due to a Nikasil problems. Other manufacturers used it, but BMW had the biggest issues with it, mostly down to cheap high sulphur petrol. Also see www.bmwworld.com/engines/nikasil.htm
Cor this brings back memories...I used to do 3 or 4 block and piston replacements a week for this-6 hours flat in and out-good bonus...Havent seen one for about 4 years now.
As someone said if you ring a dealer with the last 7 digits of the chassis number they should be able to see on veiw data the warranty history of the vehicle.
As someone said if you ring a dealer with the last 7 digits of the chassis number they should be able to see on veiw data the warranty history of the vehicle.
Well he didn't buy the 323 it was a shed! He has purchased a late 98 (Dec.) 328 sport instead, good boy! It is S reg and has a steal pear-shaped lug bolted onto the block, which apparently means that it has the "improved" block (no bolt/steal lug means nikasil , from what we have read anyway).
Does anybody know from which date that the liners were fitted to the engines from? As it is a late 98 I was wondering if it came this way from the factory?
Does anybody know from which date that the liners were fitted to the engines from? As it is a late 98 I was wondering if it came this way from the factory?
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