Nikasil and V8 again . . sorry !
Discussion
Hi,
I've read a lot about the Nikasil problem and I assumed that most early cars would have had the engine changed to the later engine with the steel liners but I test drove a 1997 car this morning which I really fancy keeping for the winter but the VIN is prior to the change to steel liners and the Jaguar dealer who serviced the car said the engine hasn't been changed.
It started from cold very easily, didn't smoke and idled smoothly and went rather well for such a heavy car, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
Can I assume that this will be OK now and not suffer with the Nikasil plating thinning out or could this still happen ? Is there a Jag specialist in Herts/Beds/Cambs who I could ask to inspect it ? I guess a compression test is all that's required ?
There was a slight tap until it was hot, sounded like a cam follower needed adjustment - is this normal or is this posisbly a bit of slap caused by the loose rings/bore ?
Thanks
I've read a lot about the Nikasil problem and I assumed that most early cars would have had the engine changed to the later engine with the steel liners but I test drove a 1997 car this morning which I really fancy keeping for the winter but the VIN is prior to the change to steel liners and the Jaguar dealer who serviced the car said the engine hasn't been changed.
It started from cold very easily, didn't smoke and idled smoothly and went rather well for such a heavy car, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
Can I assume that this will be OK now and not suffer with the Nikasil plating thinning out or could this still happen ? Is there a Jag specialist in Herts/Beds/Cambs who I could ask to inspect it ? I guess a compression test is all that's required ?
There was a slight tap until it was hot, sounded like a cam follower needed adjustment - is this normal or is this posisbly a bit of slap caused by the loose rings/bore ?
Thanks
Edited by busa_rush on Saturday 22 July 16:00
busa_rush said:
There was a slight tap until it was hot, sounded like a cam follower needed adjustment - is this normal or is this posisbly a bit of slap caused by the loose rings/bore ?
That may also be the timing chain tensioners, these old cars have an un-modded set. £1500 will get the new ones installed, either that or the engine can blow and cost yah £8k.
These cars seem a bargin, but thats just cause they can be very expensive to repair.
get a blow-by check done by a Jag dealer. However, best advice is to buy a 2001+
G
Yep, as above. Get a blow-by test done to determine that the Nicasil liners are OK. If they are OK now then I'd take the decision that they are unlikely to give any trouble now.
The bigger worry is teh timing chain tensioners - specifically the secondary ones, which can be replaced for around £800 at a Jag specialist. The noise you heard 'could' be the notorious 'death rattle', in which case they're about to go anytime now and i wouldn't even risk starting it up. However, it could just be something simple and unrelated.
If you're keen get it checked over by someone who knows Jags.
The bigger worry is teh timing chain tensioners - specifically the secondary ones, which can be replaced for around £800 at a Jag specialist. The noise you heard 'could' be the notorious 'death rattle', in which case they're about to go anytime now and i wouldn't even risk starting it up. However, it could just be something simple and unrelated.
If you're keen get it checked over by someone who knows Jags.
Thanks, it's a shame, the car is perfect apart from the potential cost. I'd only be paying £6k for it so it's really not worth taking the risk.
The same dealer also has a nice 95M 4.0 Sport so I'll give that a look. That will be an X300 won't it ? The dashboard, having the oil pressure gauge is not quite the same as the V8 but the climate control was the same. From what I've read these are a reasonably safe bet ?
The same dealer also has a nice 95M 4.0 Sport so I'll give that a look. That will be an X300 won't it ? The dashboard, having the oil pressure gauge is not quite the same as the V8 but the climate control was the same. From what I've read these are a reasonably safe bet ?
Could be a lazy hydrolic tappet. Mine has had one for 80,000 mls!! - sound like a sewing maching until you get some oil up there.
That said if we are going to do the chains next service and sort it out at the same time.
I have had 6 and 8 cylinder cars and prefer the V8 by a mile in every way, but I've not had the XJR.
Top tip with the V8 don't ever start it, move it 20 feet, and then turn the engine off. You are very likely to flood it and you will think you have killed the engine. Takes forever to get it going again.
Also there was a throttle body recall about 2.5 yrs ago. Make sure this has been done. Losing all power at 90mph on the M40 is no fun!
That said if we are going to do the chains next service and sort it out at the same time.
I have had 6 and 8 cylinder cars and prefer the V8 by a mile in every way, but I've not had the XJR.
Top tip with the V8 don't ever start it, move it 20 feet, and then turn the engine off. You are very likely to flood it and you will think you have killed the engine. Takes forever to get it going again.
Also there was a throttle body recall about 2.5 yrs ago. Make sure this has been done. Losing all power at 90mph on the M40 is no fun!
Edited by james s on Thursday 27th July 13:51
A little bit of extra input from me chaps.....
I went to my local dealers last weekend to get some parts for a service before my hols. Whilst I was there I thought I'd ask about the "dreaded" faults with the V8's.
Mine is a May 2000 4.0L XJ8 and has just passed the grand 27,000 mile mark, so am starting to get worried...
The water pump impeller is the old type, and a new version can be had for £46 (i.e. not fitted).
The Nikasil bore problem seems OK as when the dealers "log on" to their system and enter the chassis No. it will instruct them to carry out a "blow by test" if the bores are Nikasil. No such warning on my May 2000 engine which suggests:...steel liners.
Backing this up is the "Go-LPG" website which stated that IF your chassis No. ended with: "F" followed by (I think) 5 numbers then the bores are steel lined. Mine does....
The chain tensioners however seem to be the 2nd type, which were better but still broke eventually and gave less warning. After a water pump change I'm planning to do these before anything drastic happens. I'm NOT really sure when these "let go"...does anyone have any idea about critical milage for these components?
Finally has as been said, I understand that the 2001+ cars are totally OK....the new 2004+ X350 4.2L engine being simply an increased X308 4.0L.
I went to my local dealers last weekend to get some parts for a service before my hols. Whilst I was there I thought I'd ask about the "dreaded" faults with the V8's.
Mine is a May 2000 4.0L XJ8 and has just passed the grand 27,000 mile mark, so am starting to get worried...
The water pump impeller is the old type, and a new version can be had for £46 (i.e. not fitted).
The Nikasil bore problem seems OK as when the dealers "log on" to their system and enter the chassis No. it will instruct them to carry out a "blow by test" if the bores are Nikasil. No such warning on my May 2000 engine which suggests:...steel liners.
Backing this up is the "Go-LPG" website which stated that IF your chassis No. ended with: "F" followed by (I think) 5 numbers then the bores are steel lined. Mine does....
The chain tensioners however seem to be the 2nd type, which were better but still broke eventually and gave less warning. After a water pump change I'm planning to do these before anything drastic happens. I'm NOT really sure when these "let go"...does anyone have any idea about critical milage for these components?
Finally has as been said, I understand that the 2001+ cars are totally OK....the new 2004+ X350 4.2L engine being simply an increased X308 4.0L.
Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 2nd August 00:23
8Pack said:
The chain tensioners however seem to be the 2nd type, which were better but still broke eventually and gave less warning. After a water pump change I'm planning to do these before anything drastic happens. I'm NOT really sure when these "let go"...does anyone have any idea about critical milage for these components?
8Pack, sounds like you're being very sensible about any risks. Good news about the liners, that's one worry out of the way!
When I was looking into the tensioner issues during my warranty company battles, then only first hand accounts I could find suggested that the earliest problems started around 40k, although many lasted much, much longer - mine didn't let go until 110k (although they too were the second type, so had probably been changed at least once). I did find a couple fo references to people saying they'd heard of tensioners letting go before 40k, but nothing to substantiate it so it could just be idle internet gossip.
If you're planning on keeping th ecar for any length of time then it's surely worth doing, as they won't need touching again then. Also, many potential buyers are becoming aware of these problems as people like me moan about them when we get drunk down the pub, so having them replaced can be a good selling point when the time comes.
Hope that helps!
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