I'm driving around my mom's 99 xjr while my car is in the repair shop. I notice it's taking slightly longer cranking time to fire up. I am aware of the nikasil problem in the 99 v8 jags.
The car had a new engine put in a few years ago under warantee. I'm positive the replacment was after 2002.
My question is- would jaguar put a bunk Nikasil engine back into the car?
THey replaced the entire bottom end i beleive and put on the orignial heads, supercharger on intake back on the new bottom end.

Kinda a difficult question I know...but there is no way to tell from the vin number on the car since the original engine was replaced. I wanted to suggest my mom sell the car before she has to pay 12 grand for an engine that is not under warantee. any suggestions please?
brian

 

Nikasil has gained a much poorer reputation than it deserves. Now that sulfur has been gone from gasoline for many years any car that is still operating well may be better than a steel sleeved one. My '00 had compression at new car levels with 106k miles.

If replaced under warranty any dealer should be able to provide the new engine serial number. That serial number has the engine production date encoded as yymmddhhmm. Conversion to steel cylinders occurred August 2000. The first steel lined engine was numbered 0008181043 which equates to a manufacture date of the 18th of August, 2000 at 10:43am.

 

Their jag is a driver...It's got 132000 miles on it and the engine was relpaced at 73000 miles.
the tranny was replaced when the car was bought at 39000 miles. So it's got some good parts under the hood.
The car is fast as hell still and runs like new since it's been driven by my mom most of it's life.
I wonder what to expect from the good ol' jag. It's been a good car and i'd hate to see it get scrapped because of a worn piston ring. They tried trading it in and got offered 6000 dollars. LOL you couldnt replace the car with 20000 dollars. It's priceless now. The looks and speed are comparable to any new mustang or camaro and they wanna give my parents six grand for it. I just waxed an polished it and it looks pristine.

 

From what you have said, I would not think the longer crank time to start is caused by the Nikasil issue as the replacement engine would be well after the steel liners started to be fitted. There is probably something in need of attention, but it doesn't sound very serious, as the car presumably runs OK when started.

As regards the value of the car now, that is the inevitability of depreciation in this modern world. The cars become worth very little , but parts and servicing still cost the same, so the cars get scrapped and replaced. You could make your mom an offer for it, of course ! Keep it for weekends and holidays, 'coz there's nothing quite like a Jaguar for driving pleasure.

 

When did it last change spark plugs? service item @ 20-40k. Get Iridium. Possible fuel filter, they can starve the fuel rail if old and full of gunk, if its never had a new one? A good service should see it on the button.

 

No they wouldnt and didnt use a nikasil block. Also most hard starts on
v8's are dirty throttle bodies, idle air passage in the tb, and plugged or partially plugged part load breather in the drivers side(us) cam cover.

 

A failed or failing check valve in the fuel pump module will cause longer cranking time to purge the vapor and get liquid fuel to the rail. Check the fuel pressure on shut down to see if it holds for a while.

bob gauff

 

wow thanks guys I appreciate the responses

 

Have you had the battery checked?

Jim