Sleeves on Alusil / Nikasil blocks ?

[rdkarthik]

Has anyone tried sleeves/plating on the nikasil or alusil coated aluminium engine blocks ? If yes then details please ! Seems like there arent many options for these series of engines..

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

Has anyone tried sleeves/plating on the nikasil or alusil coated aluminium engine blocks ? If yes then details please ! Seems like there arent many options for these series of engines..

The corrosive nature of nikasil engine blocks are such that sleevings/ plating will only be a temporary solution. The only real permanent remedy is a replacement of the short block with the equivalent block using Alusil linings together with the correct rings. Alusil will not exibit this corrosion problem prevalent with Nikasil bores.

[rdkarthik]

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

The corrosive nature of nikasil engine blocks are such that sleevings/ plating will only be a temporary solution. The only real permanent remedy is a replacement of the short block with the equivalent block using Alusil linings together with the correct rings. Alusil will not exibit this corrosion problem prevalent with Nikasil bores.

So far the block in question is within stock specs wrt to clearance, ring seal, etc. The intention was to push the stress levels up, and block being aluminium with a few tens of microns of nikasil lining, reliability/life is a concern..

[ajmat]

BMW had big problems with this in the early '90s. They merely replaced all the engines experiencing symptoms very quietly.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

So far the block in question is within stock specs wrt to clearance, ring seal, etc. The intention was to push the stress levels up, and block being aluminium with a few tens of microns of nikasil lining, reliability/life is a concern..

If the block is within stock specs, it is better left alone. Replacement with Nikasil linings will seriously effect the reliability / life of the engine and will certainly not push the stress levels up.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

Has anyone tried sleeves/plating on the nikasil or alusil coated aluminium engine blocks ? If yes then details please ! Seems like there arent many options for these series of engines..

Hi,
I think Alusil is not a plating, Nikasil is. So what exactly do you have. And if Nikasil, how exactly did it hold up in our high Sulphur environment?

Please do put on the forum whatever information you glean about jobbers in India who can work with these. ie remove a Nikasil coating chemically, and redeposit it. And machine, hone, and expose Alusil.

Yamaha claimed that it had indigenised the R15 engine. Maybe the vendor who makes the cylinder can help.

Agree with VSS. If it is a Nikasil coating, and is OK (visual inspection, exacting multipoint dimensional measurements, surface roughness measurements), sleeving, if it can be done at all, will increase problems.

Regards
Sutripta

[rdkarthik]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys

The engine is the M52B28, euro spec. car is an e36 coupe (one of the nicest bmws i must add ). Apparently not all nikasil blocks have issues, this engine has been is good shape even with our fuel. Performance has been good for a ~200hp block. Plan is to go forced induction, and didnt want to risk running on stock lining, hence the query..

Ive been speaking to people in the industry , and looks like nikasil coating or special sleeves are possibilities. I will update the progress with pics...

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

Ive been speaking to people in the industry , and looks like nikasil coating or special sleeves are possibilities.

It certainly is possible to have Nikasil cyliner sleeves. The issue will be the the after effects . The suplhur in our fuel will cause the Nikasil cylinder sleeves to break down over time causing piston cylinder bore failure resulting in low compression due to damaged cylinder walls which in turn will damage the pistons and rings.

The sulfur Nikasil reaction causes damage to the very top of the cylinder bore, where there is the most pressure and contact of the burning mixture and the cylinder lining of Nikasil plating. The initial symptom of this will be a rough idle and if this is left unchecked the engine will not start.

[rdkarthik]

Well, it ended up with custom made ductile iron sleeves, with painfully precise machining and installation ! Many thanks to tbhp member 'powerwheels' for all the effort ! Looks like it should hold up well for targeted application..

Pics will follow..

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

Well, it ended up with custom made ductile iron sleeves, with painfully precise machining and installation ! Many thanks to tbhp member 'powerwheels' for all the effort ! Looks like it should hold up well for targeted application..

Pics will follow..

Good to hear. I guess you only need to take into account that the engine will now run a slightly higher temperature as iron sleeves will transfer less heat than nikasil.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by rdkarthik

Well, it ended up with custom made ductile iron sleeves, with painfully precise machining and installation ! Many thanks to tbhp member 'powerwheels' for all the effort ! Looks like it should hold up well for targeted application..

Pics will follow..

Hi,
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Centrifugal casting?
Wall thickness of the sleeve? And how much was left in the block?
Bored/ Honed with a torque plate?

Regards
Sutripta