MENUBMW Nikasil Problems Explained.
"A look at the BMW Nikasil Issue"
The Nikasil issue affects all BMWs equipped with M60 and M52 engines.
We'll examine the reasons of this problem, the models involved, and the likelihood that your BMW may be affected.
The M60 utilised a Nikasil liner on the block from 1993 to 1996, as did the M52 from 1995 to 1998. Following this, M52s were made with a steel liner.
How did the Nikasil issue arise?
The issue arose as a result of the high sulphur content of low-quality fuels.
The sulphur interacted with the nickel lining, and once damaged, the alloy block became irreparably worn.
BMW failed to test the block with high-sulfur gasoline and hence was unaware of the issue until it was too late.
Many people are concerned about the BMW Nikasil problem, so we examine what it is, how to prevent it, and which engines are impacted.
It was revealed that 'cheap' retail petrol included high sulphur levels, which were particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom's north-west region.
However, if the vehicle is used on high-quality gasoline with a low sulphur level, the engine will operate normally. Some Nikasil engines may still be operational thanks to the owners preference for using quality fuels.
Sumptons of the Nikasil issue
Symptoms include a harsh idle (which might be caused by a variety of factors), uneven bore wear, loss of power, abrupt increases in oil consumption, and some M52s were known to refuse to start in the cold.
The easiest approach to determine this is to do a leakdown test. A member of ours was recently charged £110 for a repair at a nearby independent mechanic.
Repairing an engine with Nikasil problems
BMW replaced obsolete blocks and upgraded the lining. V8s received an alusil lining, whereas M52s received iron liners. Nikasil engines have been known to fail as early as 30,000 miles! The number of blocks damaged and replaced is unknown.
If you have a Nikasil engine, the odds are it is alright (by chance, one would assume), but for peace of mind, TorqueCars recommends doing a leakdown test immediately.
There is no reason why the automobile should not be alright, provided that the proper gasoline was used. Due to the fact that high sulphur gasoline is now rare, the issue should have ceased to exist (or become worse).
Written by Matt Ayling (a.k.a. forum member Prince)
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