Used Mahle pistons & cylinders

Hi,

Can Mahle pistons and cylinders be mixed and matched if they are from the same diameter group. For instance could I buy a good used set of pistons and a good set of used cylinders and use them with no problems? What kind of prep would be needed?

Thanks,

Pat

[Wayne 962]

You need to match Nikasil and Alusil (Mahle made both), and also height groups on the cylinders. If you are balancing your engine, the weight group on the piston is not that important...

-Wayne

Thanks for the response.

I was thinking nikasil when I wrote the post. So mixing nikasil pistons and cylinders from the same groups but different sets is ok, right?

I know I've read this before but how do you tell Nikasil from Alusil if they both say Mahle? Isn't the Nikasil cylinder coating slightly magnetic?

[Bobboloo]

The Alusil cylinders are a light alluminum color. When you look inside the cylinder it is a light foggy color. The Nikasil cylinders are darker and more shiny like nickel on the inside.

Make sure to check ovality (problem with Alusil) and the top ring land (problem with old Nikasil pistons) before you put down your cash. There's a lot of garbage for sale out there.

[rcwaldo]

a magnet will 'drag' a slight amount with Nikasil cylinders. A very slight magnetic attraction. From what I am told, Alusil wont.

Chris