Engines built with 'Nikasil' liners


Important notice


In the last few years problems have arisen with BMW and Jaguar engines built with 'Nikasil' cylinder bore linings.

Both BMW and Jaguar have found it necessary to replace many thousands of their V8 and 6 cylinder units with the more traditional (and reliable) steel or cast iron lined engine, all at thier own (huge) cost.

High Sulphur Petrol sold in the UK market (until recently) was the cause of Nikasil liner breakdown. It has a cumulative effect, i.e. if the engine has ever been run on high Sulphur Petrol, damage may already have been done and premature bore wear may result.

LPG, on the other hand, has an extremely low Sulphur content (lower than the 'Low Sulphur' Petrol sold today) and cannot possibly be the cause of Nikasil coating damage. In this way, having a car LPG converted cannot cause liner breakdown in a Nikasil engine. Any damage will be due to the earlier use of High Sulphur Petrol.

If one of the earlier Nikasil engines were to develop a problem of this type (normally manifested as rough running at idle or difficult cold starting, both due to loss of compression) after LPG conversion it is likely that the manufacturer / seller / insurer/ guarantor will refuse to replace the engine under warranty and blame LPG conversion, an argument that is completely false.

Go LPG do not want to end up in the middle of a dispute between any owner, seller, insurer, guarantor or manufacturer. For this reason we DO NOT convert cars built with engines having NIKASIL liners unless they have been replaced with the steel or cast iron lined unit or (alternatively) the owner agrees to sign a disclaimer removing any future liability from Go LPG.

To be absolutely clear on this, the onus is wholly on the part of the OWNER to make sure that the engine does not have Nikasil liners or sign a waiver. We cannot know all of your car's history and rely on you to make sure this is the case. If a car is brought to us for conversion it will be assumed that the owner has carefully checked on the engine's status beforehand and satisfied themselves that it has steel or cast iron liners and is prepared to sign a waiver absolving Go LPG from any future liablity.

NOTE - Jaguar V8 cars built with a Nikasil engine can be identified by the VIN number.

If the last six characters begin with an '8' the car was fitted with a Nikasil engine.

If the last six characters begin with an 'F' the car was fitted with a Steel lined engine.

For your convenienece, we have linked to a full explanation of the Nikasil problem, kindly located through the 'BMWCAR' website, written and provided by Simon Worby. To see this item, click here

NOTE !!

Recently we have had several people owing or buying cars converted elsewhere ringing us for more information on Nikasil lined engines.

We are not a free helpline and have NOTHING to add to this already clear item provided FREE for public information. DO NOT abuse this privilege by phoning and making us repeat what has already been said here.


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