How to break-in a new engine

Whether you have just rebuilt your motor, swapped to a new engine, or are driving your car off the showroom floor, properly breaking in your new engine is a very important process. Failure to adhere to the appropriate break-in procedure can result in less power, increased oil consumption, and reduced overall efficiency.

How are today’s engines different? New engines aren’t like engines of yesterday, and the modern break in procedure is vastly different than most believe. Older engines required that the break-in period be one of pampering, low RPM’s, and very slight engine loads. In other words, older engines required you to drive like a 80 year old man on the way to the market. Surprisingly enough, if you “baby” your modern engine during the break in period you are doing more harm than good as they require the exact opposite for a proper break-in!

Top three break-in procedure guides:

• Modern Automotive Performance: “New Engine Initial Start-up and Break In Procedure”


• AMS: New Engine Break-In Instructions


• MotoTuneUSA.com : “Break In Secrets: How to break in new motorcycle and car engines”

By looking at the top three break-in procedure guides from today’s top tuners and engine builders, you can quickly see that they all agree upon one basic fact; pampering your engine and not running it hard is pretty much the worst thing you can do.

Contrary to popular belief, if you baby your motor during the break-in period you do nothing but reduce power, increase oil consumption, and lower compression. While breaking in the motor, the most important step is proper piston ring seating; this applies to all engines! By not applying a load to the motor, there is a lack of pressure to push the ring into the cylinder wall. When this occurs, the piston ring won’t properly seat and it will allow for cylinder glazing, oil burning, and loss of power.

So how do we properly break-in a new engine? We will use the example by Modern Automotive Performance as it is the most comprehensive and offers additional information about oil types, oil change intervals, and pre-start up inspection procedures.

NEW ENGINE INITIAL START-UP AND BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

By: Modern Automotive Performance (http://ift.tt/1d4XFGX)

1. Safety first – check everything you have done, make sure you are ready to start your new engine by inspecting all engine and drivetrain components. Set the emergency brake and chock the wheels. Re-check all your engine fluid levels before starting the engine, especially the engine oil. We recommend using an engine break in oil such as Amsoil Break-In Oil (SAE 30) for the initial start-up and break-in.

2. To prime your new engine you need to disconnect your crankshaft position sensor and crank the engine until the oil light on your dashboard turns off, you are now primed and ready to start your engine. Connect the crank sensor and start the engine. Carefully monitor oil pressure, if oil pressure is low or the oil light comes on immediately shut off the engine.

3. We suggest around 20 minutes break-in time at varying speeds. You should keep the RPM range below 3000. It is critical to vary the RPM’s to allow proper cam and lifter break-in for flat tappet cam- shafts (EVO X). Varying the RPM’s is also necessary for proper ring sealing and initial break-in of all moving components.

4. For the first 20 minutes of run time, inspect the engine for any oil, fuel or coolant leaks. Keep a close eye on the engine oil pressure and water temperature gauges for any problems.

5. Driving break-in procedures vary by application. We recommend that for the first 30 to 50 miles that you vary the speed and engine load while keeping close watch on your engine gauges. During driving break-in, vacuum pulls are necessary to seat the piston rings. This involves accelerating with light load, letting off the throttle, and letting the engine slow the car down. Constant cruising should be avoided during this period, as well as wide open throttle/full boost scenarios. Monitor and adjust (if necessary) Air / Fuel ratios throughout this period as either a rich or lean condition can adversely affect the ring seating process and overall longevity.

6. After completing the initial break-in drive (approximately 50 miles), you should change the oil and filter. Always inspect the oil filter contents, and the removed oil for any unusual debris.

7. Once you have driven the recommended 500 miles for final break-in, change the oil and filter again. Your engine should be completely broken-in at this point and ready for normal driving.

OIL CHANGES AND INTERVALS

Oil changes are a crucial part of the maintenance routine for any vehicle. On freshly built engines we recommend changing your oil and filter much more frequently as outlined below:

* Initial start-up / break-in oil (such as Amsoil break-in oil) conventional oil is okay

* 50 Miles / conventional oil

* 500 Miles / conventional oil

* 1500 Miles / okay to switch to synthetic if desired

You should change the oil and filter every 3000 miles for proper maintenance.

Important note: Due to the nature of forged internals and high performance engine assemblies, you may notice increased oil consumption in comparison to a stock engine.

Sources: Modern Automotive Performance, AMSperformance.com, MotoTuneUSA.com

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