how to test engine has nikasil issue
 

Thinking about buying used 2000 XKR with 60,000 miles... I had 97 XK8 with 60,000 factory maintenance service.. after 4000 miles later, I had nikasil issue with engine... I had to pay $12000 to replace the engine.

I have been told... any model before 2002 will have this issues, depends on how owner drive the car.

Anyone has information on how to test the NIKASIL coating is good on the engine...

thanks

Lee

By engine number, not VIN or vehicle build date. The engine number is itself a build date, and anything after 000818xxxx has steel lined and not Nikasil bores. If there was any deviation from this cut-off point (which represents Aug 18, 2000) it will be withen a week or two. A significant number of 2001 U.S model year cars have engines built before August 2000 and thus have Nikasil bores.

If this will help you, steel lined XK8 & R engines started with vin # A11140 in 2000
Doug

Razorxl...I'm not as knowledgeable as these tech guys but I believe you should also ask if they ever had the timing chains replaced. I know my dad had to replace his and most of this time I believe will need to be replaced. probably not too expensive though, I don't know the cost. I think his extended warranty covered it

Razorxl
Also here' a good article about the engines at risk.
http://www.jag-lovers.org/cjw/#0104a

Lest there be a consideration that the specific information I posted was extracted from my ass, please refer to Jaguar Service Action S491V7, page 9, dated 6 October 2004.

The Jaguar World article is a somewhat less inaccurate cut-off point than was published in their original treatise on the subject: many owners ended up buying vehicles with Nikasil lined engines, in spite of doing their due diligence to avoid the possibility of buying one of the small percentage that eventually succumbed. That article did a disservice to alot of people, and it took Jaguar World forever to at least reduce the scale of their inaccuracy by publishing the "update" article referenced by RCSign.

Thanks for the info...

RCSign's link had good info the the VIN #

You're quite right, there I go again letting facts get in the way of a splendid presentation.

I drove to Houston, Texas and bought an engine from a 2001 Jaguar XJ8...the VIN number was significantly later than the stated cutoff of F20645, which is the first car built as a 2001 US model year XJ8. The engine number indicated that it was built in May 2000, and was a Nikasil lined engine.

You can trust that article if you wish, I'll be checking the engine number if the day ever comes when that engine is ready to be salvaged from another wreck.

Jagtech
I'm sure your correct about the engine #'s verses the vin #'s. After working for a large manufacturer for 30 years, there would be no way they would stop using the nikasil engines until they were depleted, and they would run them down the line in any order. With you being in the business and having the experience, I don't think anyone is doubting your knowledge. What information you receive compared to what the company is going to release to the public is more than likely two different things. The article is informative and can help enlighten a person on the problem, But remember "Don't always believe everything you read".
Doug

That's exactly right, and I certainly wouldn't take umbrage to a post that included those qualifiers instead of one that overwrote what was already presented. There's lots of dubious information to read, and JagLovers is a bastion of BS. You won't read any with my name on it.

As an independant Jaguar technician, I am just as much outside the loop as you are. Fact-checking through research and personal experience is all I have to rely on as well. On this particular subject, I will again thank avos for doing the legwork and sharing the results of his research.

WOW, I presumed Jag Lovers was giving 100% correct info , thanks JTO for the correction

Caddy, if I didn't know better I'd say you were watching my back. Thanks for that.

check list for inspection use XKR 2002
 

thanks for all your info...

I am going to buy 2002 XKR, just to be safe. I have check list for inspection.
did I miss anything?

Water pump,
Thermostat,
Cam chain tensioners
Timing chains
Throttle body was replaced
No signs of oil in the breather tube or throttle body
No transmission problems (A fluid change record)
No front wheel bearing problems
Front brake pads and rotors
Front suspension
Four wheel alignment
ABS system
Engine/powertrain computer/module
Battery

thanks for all your help.

I would add to check for all electronic items proper function. Such as seats, head rests, door locks, radio/CD, antenna, and all lights. The other issue that was never fixed is the top latch hydraulic leaks. Any '02 convertible will have had the hoses replaced or will shortly.

Several items on your list are valid for early cars but had been mostly eliminated by '02. You should have a steel cylinder engine (oil in breather/TB) but it wouldn't hurt to look. Conversion to 3rd gen metal tensioners occurred in August '01. Check the manufacturer date on the driver 'B' column label. September or later of that year probably means that you are OK but would require pulling a valve cover to completely verify. My '02, manufactured in June '01 had the plastic ones including cracks. The TB chronic issues had been fixed as had wheel bearings and water pump.

I would demand as much maintenance/repair records as possible. If from a private owner, ask for a release to obtain his records from dealer.

Also remember the disclaimer on the CarFax reports. They only report what has been reported to them. A clean report does not mean that the car has not been in a wreck.

Good luck! There are, continually, a large number of cars in the Atlanta area for sale but you will have to look long and hard for just the right car.