Breaking in new engine
 

Anyone have any tips for breaking in a new engine? What to do/what not to do?

My builder said to start with a good conventional dino oil (in my case, Delo) for the first 1500 miles/break in period, and replace the filter every 500 miles. He said to do city driving, and avoid excessive idling (keep the RPMs varying) for the first 500 miles. Then for the next 1000, be easy on it, but freeway driving would be OK for this period.

Does this sound OK? Or should I be doing something different?

Is this a manual trans?

How about running it up to the red line as long and as often as you can and keeping it there? If it breaks, well buddy, that’s what warranties and AMEX cards are for. ;)

Seriously new engine break in suggests lower RPMs for about the first 300 miles and varying the speed a lot and definitely don’t lug the engine. After that go to gradually higher RPMs for the next 300 miles, and like most, after that, forget that the engine is new.

Last new engine for me, I swapped out the original oil with synth at about 100 miles and did regular changes after that. During the first several hundred miles I drove only surface streets and didn’t let the tach get beyond 3000 rpm. It appears to have worked ok as the engine now has about 160K miles on the odo and doesn’t use any measurable oil between 5K mile oil changes.

Autotragic.

That is a very good breakin outline. Only thing I would add is use a magnetic drain plug and drive it like you stole it. One should never lug an engine, but especially a fresh one. Of course with auto transmissions this is rarely an issue anyway.

Let us know how it comes out.

I would go with whatever the builder recommends. That way if something goes wrong, you can honestly go back to him and say "Well, I did it exactly as you asked and this is the result.". That way he can improve the process and build a better one next time.

Mostly just keep a real close eye on it. Watch the oil pressure and temperature. Watch for leaks, open the hood. Look for anything working loose.

I'd keep the rpm down until you have a few hundred miles on it.

I've seen numerous suggestions for break in procedures and their accompanying justifications. What I haven't seen are much in the way of data pertaining to the long term results of those methods on the engines. I like Aklim's idea of going by the builder's instructions just in case anything goes wrong.

Did you get my PM?

Beat me to it. I would totally go by what he says so that, if anything goes wrong, you won't feel guilty about it or give him a reason to throw you out the door.

Aw man. I just don't see it. I think you're screwed.:D

Check the oil level fairly often.

:D:D

Yes, there are so many different schools of thought on the subject, it could be almost like an oil thread.

your builder meaning the guy whos putting the engine in, or the people who sold you the motor?
id go with the source of the motors advice if there was any discrepency in break in procedure, as they are who will warranty the engine if there are any issues