Break-in of new engine

It's too late for me now, but I'm curious if anyone has something
specific re: the best way to break-in a new engine? The oil and oil
change inerval has been amply discussed- but I have seen little on how
to actually break the engine in, in terms of speed and load and number
of miles at what speed, etc. Tangentially, is there a better season of
the year /an ideal climate in which to break a new engine in? ie., is it
better to do it at the North Pole, at the Equator, or somewhere in between??

 

I think owner's manuals these days just tell you to vary the speed of
the car and not stomp on it until after the first oil change. A lot of
the stuff that used to be sorted out in breakin is now taken care of at
the factory by simply having better machinery and lower tolerances.

Certainly not like the ultra detailed breakin directions you get with a
motorcycle!

 

between??

I'm not sure of the "correct" way, but the owner's manual for my 2003 Accord
EX 4cyl. said not to accelerate hard or brake hard for the first 600 miles.
This is what I have followed.

 

Look here, http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
That is the most accurate info I've come across on that
subject.


mike hunt

 

This guy is a quack...do NOT listen to him!

His information is vague and incomplete. He addresses only certain aspects
of engine wear/break in...not a complete picture.

Engine manufactures know what's right for their engines...and they vary
depending on the engine...listen to them.

Would you think you should break in a 240 hp S2000 4 cylinder, the same way
you break in a 500 ft/lb Cummings 8 cylinder diesel? Or how about my newly
rebuilt 450 hp Ford 460 with a roller cam?

Here some better advice...do a google search on the clown that posted this
hogwash. You will clearly see he has no real auto/engine knowledge, and is a
mark.

between??

 

Good man!

Its interesting they include the brake instructions as well. My daily
commuter is a '94 Accord with 169k miles. I have driven this car "soft" its
entire life...it has only saw above 3000 rpms a couple times, and is ALWAYS
warmed completely before moving. When I did my belt and pump at 125k, my
compression tests were all within 2 lbs of each other at 110 psi!

High load, high torque, and high RPM situations is what you want to stay
away from the first 600-1000 miles. And speed is subjective...a light car
with good aerodynamics, only uses about 12 hp to keep it rolling at 55 mph,
however, a simple medium acceleration getting into traffic from a ramp at 35
mph, increase the load by 10x.

As for climate, as long as you let the engine completely warm up to
operating temperature, there is not much to worry about. In normal
temperature ranges (20-90f) the engine and cooling system can easily
maintain the proper operating temperature, however, if regularly operate in
either extreme, some addition attention may be required.

Good luck.

 

As for climate, as long as you let the engine completely warm up to

We have to be careful about that. It has been discussed in this newsgroup
last winter.
Where I live, it gets down to -30 C during winter. When it is that cold and
the car was siting outside over night, both the 2001 Civic I used to own and
the 2002 CR-V I own now, wouldn't reach the perfect temperature at idle.
That's why it was said here that with the modern engines it is better not to
wait until the car heats up. It is actually better to start it, let it idle
for half a minute or so and then, drive it smoothly until it heat up
completely.

As for the RPM, if the car is a 4 cyl (yours might be a V6 if you never go
above 3000 RPM), you definitely want to get above 3000 RPM during the
breaking period. The engine should be put through the whole range of speeds
and accelerations. I'm not saying to floor it the first time you start it,
but you shouldn't be scared to bring the RPM up. Honda 4 cyl engines are
designed for reving high.
I often bring my 2002 CR-V all the way to the red line in the 2nd and 3rd
gears. It is really nice to see how this I-Vtec engine goes all the way to
the red line without choking.

 

I gave my range as 20-90 degrees farihite. I stated if you operate outside
that range, that other attention may be needed. Whether its slowly running
the car, or even a block and/or oil heater, it doesn't matter...I covered
that point.

Now be careful what *you* say.

My Accord is indeed a 4 cylinder, and in my complete and normal range of
driving, I don't go over 3k. In my driving, at my hardest acceleration, the
car shifts at 2950. Further, its sits at 2990 @ 72 mph...the fastest I take
the car. So in fact, and by your words, I *have* taken the engine through
its entire "operational range" during break-in.

Your are incorrect as well by saying "The engine should be put through the
whole range of speeds and accelerations". In fact, Honda says specifically
for me *NOT* to take my S2000 engine over 5000k during the first 600 miles,
thus, your generalized comment would be...well...generally wrong.

I said it before, there are different break-in methods and requirements for
every engine...follow the manufactures guidelines, as they can be different
from even model to model.

"Often" is subjective, but hear this...you *are* shortening the life of the
engine by doing that.

 

|of miles at what speed, etc. Tangentially, is there a better season of
|the year /an ideal climate in which to break a new engine in? ie., is it
|better to do it at the North Pole, at the Equator, or somewhere in between??

At the equator: The centripetal force or the earth's rotation lessens the
gravitational pull against the car's componenets, resulting in less stress to
critical surfaces.
Conversely, at the the poles the spinning of the earth is working at right
angles to the spinning of the engine internals, setting up discordant
resonances. The engine will self-destruct within a few days.
After 5000 miles you may return the vehicle to the continent/latitude of
your choice.

Rex in Fort Worth

 

Good one!

 

My Accord is indeed a 4 cylinder, and in my complete and normal range of

Your complete driving range really seems very boring. I hope that your foot
gets heavier when you drive your S2000!!!
If not, sell it. It could use a more entertaining driver.

 

The manual always says to basically take it easy for the first 600miles and
to vary the speed. What this means to me is that you're not just breaking
in the engine and you want to vary the load on the entire drivetrain and
work the max RPMs you use up gradually over those early miles. Also make
sure it gets deceleration loads as well as acceleration... in all the
gears, which is why I try to stay of the freeway for the very early miles.

I'd vote for in-between as best but I don't think it matters that much as
long as you get the engine up to operating temp for reasonable amounts of
time.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??