This morning I am going to look at a 1999 XJ6 with 85,000 miles. It was traded in at a local Lexus dealer and is apparently a 1-owner car that has been serviced literally every 5000 miles. Complete records accompany the car.

Question is, if I check the blow by and it seems okay is this a "safe" car to buy or will I have Nicasil issues down the road?

Tensioners if needed I can deal with, same for water pump and thermostat housing, but liner problems I do not want to get involved in.

Ed

 

OOOPs, is not an Xj6 it is an XJ8

 

The pat answer is that if it has no problems now then you're probably home free since it was sulfur in the fuel that was causing the issue and nowadays nobody allows enough sulfur in their fuel for the Nikasil erosion to be an issue.

 

I'll second that. I just bought 1998 VDP, and it has no issues with Nicasil. Before the purchase, I did an extensive reading on the issue, and as a former gasoline retailer (owned several gas stations in the last 15 years), I decided to go for it.

 

I have had mine for a couple years. The only thing you need to watch for is the cylinder wash issue. This is easily avoided by never starting a cold car, then shutting it off before it warms up fully.
If it is shut off cold, it probably will not start again. Do a search on cylinder wash.

Moving cars around the driveway is a clasic way to have this issue. Otherwise, mine has been great, no problems.

 

216K on my Nikasil-engined 2000 XJR and still going strong

Secret was 5K oil changes with full synthetic from new to this day.

 

I believe there was an ECU software reflash in a TSB to cure the cylinder wash problem, but this obviously would be some years ago now.

 

A severe engine overheat will also destroy a nikasil liner in a hurry. As long as it is OK now and you don't let it get hot, it should last a long time.

bob gauff