V8 owners Poll Nikisil/Alusil

[onewhippedpuppy]

http://www.e38.org/koalamotorsport/v8shortblock.htm

The numbers are on the right side of the block (from behind the car), by the #3 exhaust port. You can see it from below if you're lucky, or get an inspection mirror with an extending handle. Stick it down by the manifold from above and look around, you'll see a plate riveted to the block. Check the numbers and you're done. Easy.

[632 Regal]

the engine number...

slide under the front of the car while it's on ramps. take a dope light or flashlight and paper and pencil. put your head directly under but infront of the starter (pass side US) look straight up, theres the number. Write it down, slide out and throw the paper away and wonder forever...lol.

seriously thats where the numbers at.

Well, I hope Mike Miller's correct, too, but in any case, where do I find the engine number, and is there a database or something to verify which material it is made of? Also, I have heard from several sources that the 3.0L tended to have less problems regarding the Nikasil block than the 4.0L. What have you 530i owners experienced?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just FYI, my starter has a heat shield that made it impossible to see from below.

[632 Regal]

wonder why mine dont have one...?

Just FYI, my starter has a heat shield that made it impossible to see from below.

[brodee]

wonder why mine dont have one...?

Probably had the starter replaced at some point and they didn't put the shield back on.

[Oxford5er]

My 540i seems to leak oil from the same place, not much, but stinks as it gets on the exhaust. What did the job entail?

YES!!! I just had that happen to me, too! And I didn't catch it because my dad's Passat had a major oil leak, and he parked the Bimmer in its place, and I thought that the big oil spill was from the VW. They replaced the head gaskets and had to steam clean the underside of the engine thrice (I don't think I've ever used that word, but I like it) in order to get all of the oil off. I never noticed a bad smell probably because it was a slow leak.

On a similar note, has anyone had a leak in the rear main seal btw the engine block and the transmission bell? I've got a minor leak, but want to know if it will get worse. My technician says to just monitor it....

[Oxford5er]

My 540i seems to leak oil from the same place, not much, but stinks as it gets on the exhaust. What did the job entail?

YES!!! I just had that happen to me, too! And I didn't catch it because my dad's Passat had a major oil leak, and he parked the Bimmer in its place, and I thought that the big oil spill was from the VW. They replaced the head gaskets and had to steam clean the underside of the engine thrice (I don't think I've ever used that word, but I like it) in order to get all of the oil off. I never noticed a bad smell probably because it was a slow leak.

On a similar note, has anyone had a leak in the rear main seal btw the engine block and the transmission bell? I've got a minor leak, but want to know if it will get worse. My technician says to just monitor it....

[FiveOJester]

Getting close to 133k miles here. Original Nikasil block. Engine had good compression (165-175 psi across all cylinders) at 120k miles when I bought it. Idles a bit rough, but the intake gaskets and PCV plate smoothed that out quite a bit. Doesn't burn a drop of oil and after 4k miles the oil still looks clean so I'm not too worried.

[632 Regal]

yes theres a fluxuation off idle but usually smothes out before 2500,,, a smoth idle is a bad sign...lol

Mine does. It's amazing. Soon as she warms up I could not even tell the motor was on in the car. And that was with broken motor mounts. Maybe thats why... (thread comming :eek

It does lope a bit off idle up to 2000, then smooths right out again, so that's fairly normal?

[632 Regal]

no offence but it probably wasnt failes, most likely other intake leaks as we presented in yout prior posts.

I must have horrible luck! the only 1 who replaced a failed nikasil.