New engine break in methods.

[DVII]

When I was into the sportbikes, I ran across an article that stated that you only have about 20 miles(?) to seat the piston rings in correctly. He (I forgot who, it`s been awhile) said that the manufacturers are full of $#!t in wanting you to take it easy on the engine at first. He stated that it was best to get on the gas (hard)(and after the engine had warmed up) , and then let off and coast (loading the rings in a different way). He said he had torn down a lot of sportbike race engines that were broke in this way, and had never seen one that had "blowby" problems. Plus he said to change the oil after the first 20(?) miles, instead of waiting for 5-6 hundred miles to go by.

Do you think this would apply to a new car engine?
Is this guy nuts, or have you ever ran into something like this before?
I did break in one of my sportbikes like this, and it was a good runner, I don`t know if I hurt it longterm, because I sold it after it only had about 6000 miles on it.
Anybody have any thoughts they would like to share on engine break in?

[bbunt302]

If it's in a brand new car, just drive it. They are broken in at the factory.

[SpectorV]

they are broken in from the factory already

[ShelbyPusher]

I thought the same thing and changed my oil on my 06 GT @ 800 miles. I work at a Ford dealer as a Mustang Specialist. Those of you that read Muscle Mustang & Fast Ford in the 90's know about the tech column "Ask Bernie". Bernie Golick from Ford Motor Company bought his 06 Vista Blue GT Convertible from our Dealership (All American Ford of Paramus) and did not change his oil until around 6000miles. He told me Ford puts in a special lubricant mixed in with motor oil to break in the new motor. Much as I like to listen to everyone in this forum.........I'll listen to the Expert of Fords, Bernie.

[PureVenom]

Trust someone from the same company that develops their most powerful car ever at the time (03 cobra) and cuts the carpet in a manner that it will grab the accelerator and hold the car at WOT which in turn holds the car in full boost until you hit the clutch. Hmm....

But yeah, there is a special break in oil in a new vehicle...but I don't believe it is meant to go 6k miles...I'm sure he doesn't care as he paid bottom dollar for it. I think it is meant to go like 1500 miles or so...but I'd have to read my handbook again.

[Herbstang]

Quote: Originally Posted by PureVenom Trust someone from the same company that develops their most powerful car ever at the time (03 cobra) and cuts the carpet in a manner that it will grab the accelerator and hold the car at WOT which in turn holds the car in full boost until you hit the clutch. Hmm.... But yeah, there is a special break in oil in a new vehicle...but I don't believe it is meant to go 6k miles...I'm sure he doesn't care as he paid bottom dollar for it. I think it is meant to go like 1500 miles or so...but I'd have to read my handbook again.

+ 1 --- Much as I like to listen to Bernie.........I'll listen to the Expert On Mustang Evolution

[MonteCitan]

Quote: Originally Posted by DVII When I was into the sportbikes, I ran across an article that stated that you only have about 20 miles(?) to seat the piston rings in correctly. He (I forgot who, it`s been awhile) said that the manufacturers are full of $#!t in wanting you to take it easy on the engine at first. He stated that it was best to get on the gas (hard)(and after the engine had warmed up) , and then let off and coast (loading the rings in a different way). He said he had torn down a lot of sportbike race engines that were broke in this way, and had never seen one that had "blowby" problems. Plus he said to change the oil after the first 20(?) miles, instead of waiting for 5-6 hundred miles to go by. Do you think this would apply to a new car engine? Is this guy nuts, or have you ever ran into something like this before? I did break in one of my sportbikes like this, and it was a good runner, I don`t know if I hurt it longterm, because I sold it after it only had about 6000 miles on it. Anybody have any thoughts they would like to share on engine break in?

New cars have their engines pretty much broken in at the factory

After installing new rings, or new/reman motors many of fords' manuals state to do what you said after warming up... drive it hard up to a certain speed then coast back down, etc

[DVII]

So the engine is broke in at the factory, well just goes to show you what I know.

One less thing to worry about

[Snake 42]

Quote: Originally Posted by DVII So the engine is broke in at the factory, well just goes to show you what I know. One less thing to worry about

I don't know how Ford breaks in their new engines but a racer I know who runs an AMX (1970 I think) breaks in his newly built engines this way.

After assembly he cranks the engine over with the starter and no plugs until he gets good oil pressure. Then he installs the plugs, fires the engine and lets it run at 2000rpm for 20 minutes to break in the cam. Then he shuts it off drains the oil and changes the filter, adds Wolf brand 50wt racing oil, fires the engine and as soon as it is up to operating temperature he runs it up to 9000 rpm (yep 9000- no typo) and lets it run for an hour at that rpm and then runs it up to 12500 rpm ( which is his shift point ) for about ten seconds and then cuts it off, lets it coast to a stop and then drains the oil and changes the filter again The next day he adds the oil and then he's ready to race. when he first told me about his break-in I told him he was crazy so the next time he broke in a new engine he had me over to his shop to watch. I guess it works cause he wins a lot of races and his engines last as well as anyones.

Snake 42

[SpectorV]

does he build his engine often?

[Snake 42]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV does he build his engine often?

No more often than other racers I guess.

Snake 42