Bugger! Likely need a new engine for the XKR
Discussion
Looks like the XKR will be getting a new engine 
It's a nikasil engine, so we had the blow-by test done when purchasing the car, result was 'passed'.
It lost coolant so checked the oil and... oh bugger - lots of nice coolant in there, so likely a blown head gasket.
Garage stripping it down now and have said that compression is low, so it's also likely that the nikasil lining has erroded. If so, new engine time.
Car is covered under warranty, but they are having a laugh. Warranty won't cover 'diagnosis', so muggins here has to pay for the strip down.
If it's only the head gasket, the warranty will cover it. However the warranty company is speaking about a 'betterman', meaning that I'd have to partially pay for a new engine if it's required. What's that all about?!
Anyone had any joy from Jaguar recently with respect to replacement nikasil engines? The car is *just* under 5 years old.
>>> Edited by goodlife on Tuesday 19th October 23:31
It's a nikasil engine, so we had the blow-by test done when purchasing the car, result was 'passed'.
It lost coolant so checked the oil and... oh bugger - lots of nice coolant in there, so likely a blown head gasket.
Garage stripping it down now and have said that compression is low, so it's also likely that the nikasil lining has erroded. If so, new engine time.
Car is covered under warranty, but they are having a laugh. Warranty won't cover 'diagnosis', so muggins here has to pay for the strip down.
If it's only the head gasket, the warranty will cover it. However the warranty company is speaking about a 'betterman', meaning that I'd have to partially pay for a new engine if it's required. What's that all about?!
Anyone had any joy from Jaguar recently with respect to replacement nikasil engines? The car is *just* under 5 years old.
>>> Edited by goodlife on Tuesday 19th October 23:31
Now you're scaring me! 
Finally picked my XJR up after having various drivetrain items replaced under warranty only 5 days after purchase
It passed a blow-by test when I bought it (scored 22) but the low coolant level warning came on when it went back to the garage. They have fixed it saying it was a split hose. Now I'm scared it could be more serious!
Finally picked my XJR up after having various drivetrain items replaced under warranty only 5 days after purchase
It passed a blow-by test when I bought it (scored 22) but the low coolant level warning came on when it went back to the garage. They have fixed it saying it was a split hose. Now I'm scared it could be more serious!
Goodlife; There is a service bulletin 491V6 from Jaguar, in which it states that you would get a new engine at no cost if the blowby test is above 40 lpm. As long as your car is not older than 5 years and has driven less than 100Kmiles. Then you would not need a warrenty company, but I assume you already know this..
"Betterment" is when they make a deduction/allowance for the fact that you now have a new engine rather than a partially-used one : a bit like wear & tear. I had to put up with this with my underseal case in respect of the Corrosion Warranty.
I would suggest you write a letter straight away to the Warranty Co pointing out that, if it weren't for the defect, then you wouldn't need a "better" engine, and would have been entirely happy with the partially-used one, so it's an irrelevance. Threaten to write about it on here and in the Jag Enthusiasts Club mag and see what they say about that....
Finally, if the warranty is with Warranty Direct, then I think you will find that they will pay for the diagnosis IF it turns out that the failure was due to an insured incident - it doesn't just have to be a headgasket issue.
Good luck
I would suggest you write a letter straight away to the Warranty Co pointing out that, if it weren't for the defect, then you wouldn't need a "better" engine, and would have been entirely happy with the partially-used one, so it's an irrelevance. Threaten to write about it on here and in the Jag Enthusiasts Club mag and see what they say about that....
Finally, if the warranty is with Warranty Direct, then I think you will find that they will pay for the diagnosis IF it turns out that the failure was due to an insured incident - it doesn't just have to be a headgasket issue.
Good luck
avos said:
Goodlife; There is a service bulletin 491V6 from Jaguar, in which it states that you would get a new engine at no cost if the blowby test is above 40 lpm. As long as your car is not older than 5 years and has driven less than 100Kmiles. Then you would not need a warrenty company, but I assume you already know this..
Don't you just LOVE pistonheads! I'd heard about this, but had no concrete evidence. I'll be phoning them in the morning to check blowby test numbers... Thanks!www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm#what_is
BMW has been dragged down this road, why is Jaguar even there?? One wonders? History is valuable because it is "supposed" to help keep someone from repeating a mistake, as in world politics, world history, engineering, etc.
"The Nikasil coating used in our cylinders is a nickel and silicon carbide matrix coating about 0.07mm (.0025-.003") thick. The nickel matrix is very hard, but it is comparatively ductile, whereas chrome is brittle. Dispersed through the nickel are particles of silicon carbide less than 4 microns in size. These extremely hard particles make up 4% of the coating and form a multitude of adhesion spots on which oil can collect. Beside providing a very long wearing surface for the piston and rings, the silicon carbide particles also contribute to longer engine life by ensuring good cylinder lubrication".
"This superior process was developed by the German firm Mahle, originally for use in the Mercedes Wankel rotary. Porsche uses Nikasil in their turbocharged 917 - 935 series of race cars. In racing two strokes both Morbidelli and Rotax have had great success with Nikasil and of course it is used in thousands of professional grade chainsaws. The major drawback to chrome plating is the fact that chrome can flake. It is also easily damaged by dirt inducted into the motor."
By contrast, Porsche has been using a high silicon content aluminum for block castings and exposed piston bore wear surface. This is what was used on all 944, 968 and 928 engines, known for bulletproof longevity, and now being also used on the Cayenne motor (which is a better design than the rest of the car).
The "chrome coating" of cylinder walls is a poor idea that should have never been adopted by Jaguar, when there are so many "good" ideas out there to copy.
JMHO
Dogsharks
BMW has been dragged down this road, why is Jaguar even there?? One wonders? History is valuable because it is "supposed" to help keep someone from repeating a mistake, as in world politics, world history, engineering, etc.
"The Nikasil coating used in our cylinders is a nickel and silicon carbide matrix coating about 0.07mm (.0025-.003") thick. The nickel matrix is very hard, but it is comparatively ductile, whereas chrome is brittle. Dispersed through the nickel are particles of silicon carbide less than 4 microns in size. These extremely hard particles make up 4% of the coating and form a multitude of adhesion spots on which oil can collect. Beside providing a very long wearing surface for the piston and rings, the silicon carbide particles also contribute to longer engine life by ensuring good cylinder lubrication".
"This superior process was developed by the German firm Mahle, originally for use in the Mercedes Wankel rotary. Porsche uses Nikasil in their turbocharged 917 - 935 series of race cars. In racing two strokes both Morbidelli and Rotax have had great success with Nikasil and of course it is used in thousands of professional grade chainsaws. The major drawback to chrome plating is the fact that chrome can flake. It is also easily damaged by dirt inducted into the motor."
By contrast, Porsche has been using a high silicon content aluminum for block castings and exposed piston bore wear surface. This is what was used on all 944, 968 and 928 engines, known for bulletproof longevity, and now being also used on the Cayenne motor (which is a better design than the rest of the car).
The "chrome coating" of cylinder walls is a poor idea that should have never been adopted by Jaguar, when there are so many "good" ideas out there to copy.
JMHO
Dogsharks
Grr. bmw and jaguar went down this road at the same time. its not a brand new car thats being talked about.
The only thing that confuses me is why porsche didnt have this problem in their nikasil engines that have been around a lot longer - possibly the sulphur additive only got introduced around 98...
The only thing that confuses me is why porsche didnt have this problem in their nikasil engines that have been around a lot longer - possibly the sulphur additive only got introduced around 98...
As a clarification, the 944, 968 and 928 motors are all using a liquid metal mix for the casting and the bore liner. Therefore they are not coated cylinder bores, and therein lies the liability. Any time you put a thin coating on a cylinder bore, you run the conceptual risk of wearing through and ruining the motor. With the 944, 968 and 928, the concept is so good, and the execution so durable, they will almost run forever without need for attention.
I understand Porsche used the "coated" bore in some engines, however, I'm not well informed as to how long, which motors, and what kind of longevity they get from those motors. I strongly prefer the method used in the 944, 968 and 928, and that's why I own three of them.
Cylinder bore wear is the LAST thing to worry about with those motors.
regards,
Dogsharks
I understand Porsche used the "coated" bore in some engines, however, I'm not well informed as to how long, which motors, and what kind of longevity they get from those motors. I strongly prefer the method used in the 944, 968 and 928, and that's why I own three of them.
Cylinder bore wear is the LAST thing to worry about with those motors.
regards,
Dogsharks
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