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Nykasil plated cylinder bores

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by black&tan328, Mar 2, 2006.

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  1. black&tan328

    black&tan328 Rookie

    May 13, 2004
    31
    #1 black&tan328, Mar 2, 2006
    Greetings. I have checked a few threads on this topic but haven't found any firm recommendations. Even though it was running perfectly, I sold my 28k miles '97 XK8 because I was scared that the Nikasil bores would fail as a result of possibly having used high sulphur fuel in the past. BMWs had similar problems. Now I find out that my '87 328 has them too! I'm now in the market for a 12cyl F-car up to $100k but want to avoid Nykasil if possible. Can anyone tell me which F-car 12 cyl engines had it and if and when they switched back to steel liners?
     
  2. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 hardtop, Mar 2, 2006
    I have heard about nikasil problems in Bimmers. There are quite a few 308QV and 328's out there with way over 100K on them and I have never heard of any problems related to nikasil.

    Dave
     
  3. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    #3 snj5, Mar 2, 2006
    There are thousands of Porsche 911s with nikasil cylinders with way over 100K miles on them
     
  4. mar308

    mar308 Rookie

    Dec 7, 2003
    37
    #4 mar308, Mar 2, 2006
    I have 911 turbo with them, and a QV. I run them pretty hard
    and never had had a problem

    Mario
     
  5. Dr.T348

    Dr.T348 Formula 3

    Jan 8, 2004
    1,599
    Chicago NW Burbs
    Full Name:
    Richard T.
    #5 Dr.T348, Mar 2, 2006
    348's use them as well. I have not heard of any problems.
     
  6. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,022
    Groton, MA
    Full Name:
    Verell Boaen
    #6 Verell, Mar 2, 2006
    I've been lurking on Fchat for over 5 years. No problems with the QV/328 Nikasil cyl liners per se. Actually, I don't remember a single cylinder wear problems reported. (We won't go into sodium filled valves or belts tho).

    Only if the engin is being rebult & the cylinders were being rebored oversize has the topic come up once or twice.

    Altho Ferrari says that the cylinders can't be re-treated with the Nikasil coating, apparently there are now shops out there that routinely do it for the high perf. rebuilders.
     
  7. Matt Morgan, "Kermit"

    Matt Morgan, "Kermit" Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2003
    405
    Ferndale, WA
    #7 Matt Morgan, "Kermit", Mar 2, 2006
    BMW's did indead have a serious problem for a while with the Nikasil/sulphur issue. I haven't seen that problem with Ferrari motors though, so I wonder if some other factor may be involved.
    I wouldn't be afraid of any Ferrari (or any other) motor, providing it passes a leakdown test. The problem with the fuel has been gone for a long time now, so if there isn't any damage, they shouldn't be a problem.
     
  8. Bertocchi

    Bertocchi Formula 3
    Consultant

    Jan 28, 2004
    2,326
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    David Castelhano
    #8 Bertocchi, Mar 2, 2006
    Ferraris still use Nykasil as do many manufacturers. The motorcycle industry uses it almost exclusively. The process has been perfected and should not cause concern. You must use diamond impregnated stones to hone.
     
  9. Gary48

    Gary48 Guest

    Dec 30, 2003
    940
    #9 Gary48, Mar 2, 2006
    All 550's have nikasil but Ferrari went to cast sleeves in the 575.
     

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