Alusil vs. Nikasil block question

[elguapo84]

Grabbed an M60 out of a '95 Msport 540, build date 11/95. The casting number lines up with what is posted online for Nikasil blocks. The seller checked the VIN and block casting number with BMW New Jersey and BMW Seattle, and they said "That engine/car was never subject to the recall".

So I've got a casting number that spells "Nikasil" based on what is published all over the web.
And I've got signed letters from BMW stating it was not part of the recall, and therefore Alusil.

Opening it up to the forum for opinons on what is going on here. Possible that the casting number is incorrect? Or that what is published on the web is not entirely accurate (maybe there are some Alusil blocks out there with 1 742 998i)? Or maybe BMW made a serious clerical and legal error in making that statement?

I was really excited to get started on this V8 swap, then quickly sobered to this casting number discovery. Appreciate any input.

[Jean]

I am going to side with it being Nikasil per the casting number on the block...vs what dealer or bmwna told you.

Some Nikasil cars are still going strong, possibly only certain build date ranges were recalled?

[iamsam]

yep, sounds right. The engine was not changed out in that car, therefore it is still Nikasil.

[iamsam]

I am going to side with it being Nikasil per the casting number on the block...vs what dealer or bmwna told you.

Some Nikasil cars are still going strong, possibly only certain build date ranges were recalled?

the dealer told him the motor was NOT changed out, so that agrees w/ the casting numbers.

All were under the recall but only if the problem showed up. If the engine didn't run into the high sulfur fuel, it never got brought in for the recall.

I see no conflicting info in first post.

[Jean]

the dealer told him the motor was NOT changed out, so that agrees w/ the casting numbers.

That's all he said...read again. Unless OP added the "and therefore" part below.



And I've got signed letters from BMW stating it was not part of the recall, and therefore Alusil.

[iamsam]

That's all he said...read again. Unless OP added the "and therefore" part below.



And I've got signed letters from BMW stating it was not part of the recall, and therefore Alusil.

ah, I assumed the invisible quotation marks ended before they actually did.

Nope, that would be Nikasil, if the motor was never changed out.


...unless I am totally missing something and BMW started putting Alusil engines in late '95 cars. I know all OBD2 (M62) cars were Alusil...

[elguapo84]

ah, I assumed the invisible quotation marks ended before they actually did.

Nope, that would be Nikasil, if the motor was never changed out.


...unless I am totally missing something and BMW started putting Alusil engines in late '95 cars. I know all OBD2 (M62) cars were Alusil...

Your guess is as good as mine... sorry the "therefore" is my addition. BMWNA just said "This car was not a recall"... That's what concerns me. Why wouldn't it be a recall, yet have that number??

[elguapo84]

the dealer told him the motor was NOT changed out, so that agrees w/ the casting numbers.

All were under the recall but only if the problem showed up. If the engine didn't run into the high sulfur fuel, it never got brought in for the recall.

I see no conflicting info in first post.

I should add that the car was brought in for two inspections throughout it's 89,000 miles worth of life (it got parted out as Dinan parts were worth more than the car, which is how I got the engine/tranny). So it was definitely inspected/serviced for other recalls. I'm looking at the recall list now, and nowhere on there is the Nikasil recall.

[battlecattle]

Some Nikasil cars are still going strong

Mine... not only Nikasil... but water sunk too.

[iamsam]

Your guess is as good as mine... sorry the "therefore" is my addition. BMWNA just said "This car was not a recall"... That's what concerns me. Why wouldn't it be a recall, yet have that number??

I should add that the car was brought in for two inspections throughout it's 89,000 miles worth of life (it got parted out as Dinan parts were worth more than the car, which is how I got the engine/tranny). So it was definitely inspected/serviced for other recalls. I'm looking at the recall list now, and nowhere on there is the Nikasil recall.

I wonder if the dealer meant "this specific car never came in for the recall engine replacement" or "this specific car does not fall under the conditions of the recall".

Either way, I would assume Nikasil, I have only heard that BMW switched to Alusil with OBD2.

That said, if the compression numbers are good, I wouldn't worry, your engine is as good (or better) than any Alusil engine.

[Jonsku]

That said, if the compression numbers are good, I wouldn't worry, your engine is as good (or better) than any Alusil engine.

Yap, if the engine works fine then there's no reason for worrying. Both Nikasil and Alusil work well, as long as you don't run them with high sulphur fuel (which shouldn't be available "anymore anywhere" for road cars).

[elguapo84]

Alright thanks everyone. Good to have the reassurance. I think I'll still keep an eye out for a B44 block. Does anyone have solid findings yet on whether this hybrid is viable and reliable?

[iamsam]

Alright thanks everyone. Good to have the reassurance. I think I'll still keep an eye out for a B44 block. Does anyone have solid findings yet on whether this hybrid is viable and reliable?

that is what we are trying to extract from these hermits w/ the hybrid build! There is a thread dedicated to getting feedback! http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=262414

[bmwmech1]

that is what we are trying to extract from these hermits w/ the hybrid build!

Hermits.... lol!

Garey

[elguapo84]

that is what we are trying to extract from these hermits w/ the hybrid build! There is a thread dedicated to getting feedback! http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=262414

lol, hopefully these elusive hybrid drivers start chiming in...and I'm obviously not talking Priuses ;)