After 2 years and 25,000 mi., I still have not checked the ID# on the block to see if I have a nikasil block -- too scared. The car was previously cpo'd in 1997, and it's possible the block was changed out. I bought it in '02. The car now has 175,000 mi. I recently asked the owner of an indy shop that specializes in BMW's if he thought it was likely that I could get 175,000 mi. out of an original nikasil engine, with the car still idling smooth and running great. He said, "No way."

Anybody disagree with that?

Lloyd - it totally depends on the average sulpher content in your fuel around your neck of the woods. I have heard that there are certain parts of the country where the sulpher content is low (Southern California for example) and that this isn't an issue there. I know for a fact that there are Nikasil engines that have made it to 200k+ in miles - but again, I am told this is due to the low sulpher content in the general area where the car is located.

Also many people theorize that most gasoline you buy today is very low in sulpher and going forward it's only going to get lower. So the implication and many opinions are that if you've made it this far with a smooth idling engine w/good performance, you're most likely in the clear.

On the boards we hear less and less nikasil / sulpher related leakdown failures as time goes by...... I haven't heard of one in the last year I don't think.

Any idea how I would find out the sulphur content, not that it makes any difference at this point. Just curious.

Thanks for all your help, btw. You and the other senior members really make this a great board.

Originally posted by Lloyd Dobler
Any idea how I would find out the sulphur content

I would think a call to a local fuel distributor might get you your answer. Better yet, why not check your block number first and get it over with so at least you know.

Interesting question. I bet I've looked at 20 and have never seen one with over 135K

Here's a post from "Bill in Florida from the "Roadfly" forum which I thought was interesting.............


Here's the deal. Yes, the Nikasil blocks are technically a problem. One of the first things I tell people is that they need to be aware of it. Everything else being equal, you want an Alusil car.

Now, I'm also a dealer, and I also sell lots of used BMWs, and I also sell lots of older ones. I probably haul my butt in and out of more BMWs in a month than almost anybody else on the board will in their lifetimes.

The reality of the Nikasil problem is that it's nowhere as bad as it is alleged to be. I just sold a 1994 540i with a Nikasil block in it. It's about to hit 132K miles and runs like a raped ape. It's also a Florida car since day one. "OMG! IT NEEDS AN AN ENGINE!" Nope. Car runs awesome. Car has used 1/2qt oil in the 400 miles I put on it. Oh yeah, it has an oil leak at the rear main seal (Yes I sold it on eBay, yes I described the leak, I also sold the car for $7100 and it's clean). It has strong compression and runs fine. I know of SEVERAL other cars running around (Including a 530i that's had a "failed block" for the past 3 years and over 70K miles) that all have good power and don't guzzle oil. The 530i has over 170K on it.

When they get "bad" they idle like Diesels. They can be a little tough to start when cold (Worst case it takes 8-10 starter revolutions to get it going and it's rough for 20 seconds). My friend who owns the 530i throws a can of Engine restore in it and it smooths right out for 10K miles.

Now, you can live with an occasional rough idle and the car taking twice as long to start, or you can spend $4K+ to fix the problem. That's your call. Also, modern fuels have very low sulphur levels, if the car's fine now, chances are, it'll be fine for a long time to come. It seems that some made it through the problem and are now OK and will continue to be for a while. Yes, Nikasil scares people, but I'd like to see one case where an M60 actually became a heavy smoker or became undriveable because of a bad block. I've never physically seen one, every time i see a smoking M60 car with a "blown engine" it needs an oil separator plate fixed. Including one 1994 740i that I bought that started to run like crap and smoke, I thought "Oh_Shit, I'm screwed". A new oil separator plate gasket and the car ran sweet as silk. Oh yeah, it had 2 "failed" cylinders.

They'll idle rough, lose a tad of power, etc.. but in reality, it's something you can live with. I know of a few cars that I have done leak down tests on that "failed". Most of them ran nice and smooth while a couple had a slightly rough idle. Furthermore, I've been keeping my own little survey on these cars...

I've sold, roughly, 30 1995 E38s that were originally from the southeast in the past 3 years. About half of them had Alusil blocks. About half of the Nikasil cars failed the leakdown test. Only 2 had a noticeably rough idle and 1 I retailed and the customer knew of the problem and another I wholesaled.

The one with the rocking idle is still running fine almost 2 years later. Ditto a 1993 740iL that I sold almost 3 years ago with about 110K on it. It's got almost 150K on it now. It rocks at idle noticeably. It still pulls strong just like an E32 V8 should and has no problem crusing along at 90+ on the FL Turnpike. It also does not guzzle fuel.

So stop worrying about your new car and enjoy it, as long as the car runs strong and has good power, I'd bet my watch (And it's a nice watch) that the car will treat you well for a long time to come.

I know this isn't the popular version of the story, but it's what I have seen with my own eyes.

Feel free to call me, 551-206-5171 on my cell if you want to discuss.

Bill in Orlando
(Well, Maitland but nobody has heard of Maitland so I say Orlando..haha)

Jyep,

Thanks, man. I've actually read several well-founded posts stating the problem's been blown out of proportion. My wallet tells me, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Thanks again.

Originally posted by Lloyd Dobler
Any idea how I would find out the sulphur content, not that it makes any difference at this point. Just curious.


Your welcome, in addition, may also call your local "EPA" office, they would probably have the sulfer content of fuel in your area for the past 5 years or long.......good luck.

LD,

You may also be able to find if a swap has occurred by providing your car's VIN to your BMW dealer (assuming you have some kind of relationship with them.

I THINK there is some sort of national BMW database that lists what has been done in this arena...?

Originally posted by FlyingHigh
Lloyd - it totally depends on the average sulpher content in your fuel around your neck of the woods. I have heard that there are certain parts of the country where the sulpher content is low (Southern California for example) and that this isn't an issue there. I know for a fact that there are Nikasil engines that have made it to 200k+ in miles - but again, I am told this is due to the low sulpher content in the general area where the car is located.

Uh-oh, spelling police - busted. :pullover

Actually, I bet Jack is just testing the rest of us with his spelling of "sulpher" (sulphur).

Originally posted by Reed Hunt
Actually, I bet Jack is just testing the rest of us with his spelling of "sulpher" (sulphur).

I was waiting for a response - should have known it would be you :D

Well, as a long-ago teacher of mine used to say, "we're here to learn." :smiliecap

It's "Sulfour" like "Colour" --

BTW -- I spelled it wrong too. Too lazy to run spellcheck or go to www.dictionary.com --

Originally posted by jayadam63
It's "Sulfour" like "Colour" --

BTW -- I spelled it wrong too. Too lazy to run spellcheck or go to www.dictionary.com --

I know, but you are more sensitive than Jack, so I ignored it... :violinist

I've never seen "sulfur" spelled "sulphour"!:dunno