1999 XJR and Nikasil issue

Hi,

Couple of days ago I got a very good private offer for the used Jag XJR, the car was put in service in the end of 1998 and is apparently is the one which has the dreaded Nikasil issue. The car in question has 60'000 miles on it, was driven carefuly and always regulary maintained by Jaguar workshop, it is in absolutel pristine condition. It is a European car and was driven in Europe. Unfortunately most sites mention the Nikasil problem, cause, symptoms and results but none really speak about probability of the breakdown.

So, my question is: If I do the full checkup of this car, including engine compression tests and it will come out good, how big is the chance that the engine will still blow soon? Am I buying something which comes with "breakdown guaranteed" seal ? What are the chances of Nikasil XJR to reach 100+k miles without engine rebuild?

Thanks!

It's going to break down.

If you want the car that much, invest in a rebuilt engine.

As far as I know ,nikasil suffered free engines have  the last 6 digits of the chassis number begins with an F, for example F67894.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Envy337
It's going to break down.

But assuming it is tested good now, can I resonably expect another 15-30k miles before it dies? I might purchase the car now and look for replacement engine in next years (I am not making alot of miles).

Also as far as I understand it will not just die on the spot, when process starts I still have around 5k miles before car is totaly unusable, correct?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Envy337
If you want the car that much, invest in a rebuilt engine.

Can 1998 XJR be equipped with the newer engine without Nikasil?
What is the realistic price I am looking at when shopping for new engine?
How complex is engine change, how long does a professional Jaguar shop needs to swap engines?

Questions on questions :)

From what I understand, if it has not had the problem as of yet, then it probably won't. Sulfur content in gas has decreased significantly in the past few years and Chevron makes a gas additive that protects the internals from sulfur that I have been using as a precaution. I have a '99VP with 43K on the odometer and she runs smooth right now. I am more worried about the chain tensioner problem inherent to these vehicles.

Don't get it.  It will break down.  Look at about 4K for a rebuild!

Timing tensioner failures have caused far more problems then the Nikasil issue.  I would be far more concerned about rattle at start up.  I've seen only one engine fail due to Nikasil.

Labor is around 19 hours.

It wont die on your right away.

Today i had an '00 XK-8 that needed a new engine. Only had 41K miles.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ken@britishparts.com

Timing tensioner failures have caused far more problems then the Nikasil issue.  I would be far more concerned about rattle at start up.  I've seen only one engine fail due to Nikasil.

I've seen almost a dozen this year.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Don.Key

 ...It is a European car and was driven in Europe....

 
Since the primary component causing the cylinder wall coating to fail is the sulfer content of gasoline, the question here is, what has been the sulfer content of petrol in Europe.  If it has been run with low sulfer fuel from day one, it may not be so bad.  However, you are still running a risk.  I would at LEAST get a compression and leakdown test on the cylinders to see how each one compares to factory specs.  You also have to consider re-sale.  YOU may be convinced the car is fine - and in fact, you may get some great use out of it.  However, when you go to sell it, someone will likely have the same concerns as you, except the car will be older with even more miles on it.  For what it costs to put a rebuilt or new engine in it, couldnt you find a newer car (2000 model year or newer) with low miles in similar condition?  I opted for a 2000 with a little bit of a warranty left versus a '99 with even lower miles but no warranty but in better kept condition and full Borla exhaust.  I rest easier knowing that I won't have a Nikasil issue, though I spent a little $$ to have the wheels refinished and a crack in the wood redone. (cheaper than replacing an engine )

I think if it was driven in Europe continent (not in Britain), the car must have seen very little high sulfur fuel.  Since high sulfur fuel is no longer available in Europe and US, you have very little chance that the engine goes bad due to corrosion.

Nikasil engine was used in MY2000 as well, so be careful.  I have heard even a VIN starting with F does not mean that it is Nikasil free.

I would check compression and if possible have leak-down test done.  If the engine is good, you should be good.  Although timing chain tensioner is known to be a problem, XJRs are not as prone as XJ8s with VVT.  I have heard that VVT does stress the chain, causing the chain to skip and such.  But it is a very good idea to replace them as soon as possible.  Now you can get all metal (supposed to be better stuff) tensioners.  Also, tensioner failure tends to be triggered by overheating due to failed thermostat and/or water pump.  Replacing TS and water pump (new generation one is all metal) is also a good idea.

Hi, some weeks ago I was at the 308 seminar held by JEC in Coventry and this issue was discussed with the technicians training the Jag dealer in the UK (they were invied by JEC to conduct the service seminar). Their response to the issue was as follows;
- the Nikasil problem occurred with high sulfure gas, something that was/is prevailing with less concerned gas stations.
- always conduct a compression test before buying.
- engines with silver oil sump are rebuilt engines.
- if it has not yet failed, the bores are very good as the Nikasil surface treatment gets harder over time (assuming of course that the engine has been serviced properly).
- if the engine is good today, and you continue to run high quality gas, the advice was that the engine will prevail and you will have a good runner.
 
(my car is a '98 308 with 80k and running like a charm...however, I do agree with those that recommend to be far more concerned about the chain tensioners...they will faile unless they are changed. Another issue is of course the waterpump, the blades will fail on the wrong version and cooling be non-existent.)