Engine break in best practices

[SHOtimer]

...i was really nice to mine for the first 500 miles (no secondaries or hard driving). I changed the oil. Then I drove it increasingly more aggressive, sometimes touching the secondaries.... Then once it had 3k on it, I changed the oil....then I ran it full throttle for the first time.

I have driven it normally since then...getting red-lined at least once a day...70k later it is still perfect, no oil burning or problems.

Doug

 

[jayro]

if they are broke in do not worry about them as the break in is for the fresh cut on the cams to get all the rough edges off etc..

as for the engine being broke in so early yes and no... that is to seat the rings and wear them in but you will still need to be easy after that for a little bit just to make sure its all good... id say first 1000-2000 miles, if its good after that just run it.

this is just a precaution to know your engine is in good health to monitor its make sure you dont get any funny noises etc.

i

Thanks for the clarification. I have a feeling I will have it together before the snow is off the ground. Ill just have to be patient.

 

[jayro]

I broke mine in on the street. I think I read that same article back in the day too... I remember firing it up, and immediately took it out to the road nice and easy then put her in second and let her have it, then third and did the same... then I let it ease itself back down...

I did that for a while until she was warm, 10-15 min or so then when I got close to the house I ran it a little further into the red.. (wasnt too worried with the udps on there)..

Just what I heard.. and how I did mine. After that first time it ran, I changed my oil, ran it again thru a heat cycle, changed it again. Was nice to it for 1000 miles or so, swapped to synthetics at that point, and normal intervals... car hasn't leaked or acted funny in 20,000 miles... 30 mpg on the highway...

Sounds like your oil change plan.. lol

Sounds about like what I was planning. Thanks for the info.

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

My favorite: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

What do you do if you rebuilt a boosted motor and the head gasket needs re-torquing after the first heat cycle?

It is never recommended by -anyone- (when it comes to 2.3T's) to beat the crap out of a motor with a brand new head gasket. Even with a perfect deck and proper torque, there have been times where HG's would blow after a few minutes of hard driving.

 

[yamahaSHO]

If that's an issue, you'll have to take that into account with your application and use your own judgement

 

[AREA 91]

I had about 350 miles on my 3.2 swap and off to the drags I went. 75 SHOt every run.

That was years ago. Car still puts 257 to the wheels in NA form.

 

[vortex2450]

My favorite: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Good post, I remember reading that when I first started getting interested in cars, way long ago.