I'm looking to buy a 2004 xj8, it's going to be my first car (I live in california). I've heard that some years have sleeved cylinders and some are coated, and that the coating degrade from California gasoline and the piston welds itself. Is this true? I don't want my first car's engine becoming a boat anchor lol.

 

First of all, you're in the wrong section. This is for the X308s (97-03 XJ,XJ8,XJR). Second of all, nikasil hasn't been used since 2000 I believe. Thirdly, it's a wonder anything runs on fuel in the people's republic of KalifornIA. But crap fuel is the least of your worries.

 

This is the older (98’-03’) X308 forum. You want the (04’+) X350 forum to post in. To somewhat answer your question, only the 98’- august 2001 XJ8/R had the Nikasil lined cylinders. If the car you’re looking at is in fact an 04’, it’ll have the steel sleeved 4.2 engine in it. My 98’ XJR (now my daughters car) has the original untouched bottom end with 266K miles on it and I prefer it over a steel sleeved engine for reduced friction and it still runs strong.

 

you joint the wrong gang,buddy