Who invented Nikasil?
Nikasil is an ultra-hard, friction-reducing material invented by Mahle in 1967. It’s a mixture of nickel, silicon and carbon and is used primarily as a sort of spray-in cylinder liner, applied by electroplating it to a prepared metallic surface and then honing it.
Why did Jaguar use Nikasil in the Jaguar XK8?
Jaguar chose to coat the aluminium bores of their new V8 engine in Nikasil as it was a tough, friction-reductive material that had racked up notable success within motorsport. However, not long after those initial sales of the XK8, Jaguar started to receive reports of reluctant starting and reduced drivetrain power while out on the road.
Are there any problems with the Nikasil engine?
If entirely or mostly driven within the UK and the engine lacks symptoms that would indicate bore wear – reluctant starting, a lumpy idle, piston slap and sluggish performance – an original Nikasil engine currently in rude health is unlikely to develop major problems.
When did Jaguar stop using Nikasil cylinder liners?
Jaguar replaced Nikasil with steel liners after 2000 and therefore vehicles from this year onwards should be relatively safe bets. So, does that mean you should reject a pre-2000 XK8/XKR entirely?
What causes a nicasil failure on An XK8?
Nicasil failure is indicated by a reluctance to start, lumpy idle and the presence of engine oil in the induction system – it’s classic loss of compression leading to excess pressurisation of the crankcase. If you’re worried you can have a blow by test done, and should see less than 25l/m on a healthy engine.
Jaguar chose to coat the aluminium bores of their new V8 engine in Nikasil as it was a tough, friction-reductive material that had racked up notable success within motorsport. However, not long after those initial sales of the XK8, Jaguar started to receive reports of reluctant starting and reduced drivetrain power while out on the road.
If entirely or mostly driven within the UK and the engine lacks symptoms that would indicate bore wear – reluctant starting, a lumpy idle, piston slap and sluggish performance – an original Nikasil engine currently in rude health is unlikely to develop major problems.
Nicasil failure is indicated by a reluctance to start, lumpy idle and the presence of engine oil in the induction system – it’s classic loss of compression leading to excess pressurisation of the crankcase. If you’re worried you can have a blow by test done, and should see less than 25l/m on a healthy engine.
When was the last time a Jaguar V8 engine failed?
One incident stands out for its severity as well as its simplicity—the failure of its Nikasil-lined V8 engines. In the early nineties, Jaguar recognized that its long-in-the-tooth but much-loved inline six—which traces its lineage to 1949—was finally due for replacement.