Quote:
Originally Posted by stevepaa
I heard there were problems when owners let them overheat, otherwise okay.
How does one tell a mid 2000 car?
|
Engine numbers
"It is common knowledge within Jaguar that the Nikasil area stopped in September 2000. I hereby also apologize to all the Jaguar people I questioned about this subject, as there is no doubt when they check with the Engine factory. The September 2000 change is also document the service bulletin 491v6, which has also been confirmed as correct by Jaguar.
However as a side note, it can be that during the phase-out (whenever that started), there could have been a mix of engine types. The Nikasil plating was outsourced to Mahle in Germany (well known for the Nikasil plating process, also for producing this for Porsche etc). So there could have been a mix of Nikasil plated engines and Cast iron sleeved engines during the phase-out period.
To be absolutely sure, you need to open up the block, or you can ask Jaguar directly, but you need to double check where they base there info on. Some Journalists/Dealers/Jaguar Importers do not look further than the beginning of the bulletin 491v6, so please check with them if they base there info on this one. Also my dealer and Jaguar importer in Belgium admitted they just based their info on the first part of the Bulletin, from which you could conclude that all new 5 digit vin number cars or MY2000 cars are Nikasil free. They checked with the Factory, and confirmed the September 2000 date, and that my car produced in June 2000 has Nikasil (Also been confirmed by a Jaguar engine engineer).