Metric Mechanic ENGINE “BREAK-IN” INSTRUCTIONS Car maintenance, service, owner's manuals

[Peter]

Initial Break-In

OIL

For breaking in an engine, we use a low quality detergent motor oil.

During break-in, the rings must come into contact with the cross hatch hone marks on the cylinder wall in order to wear the rings into the shape of the cylinder wall and seal tightly.

Over the years, we have used either Havoline 10-40 or Quaker State 10-40 Motor Oil.

We DO NOT recommend synthetic oil, high quality motor oil or slipping additives. These

products can keep the rings from making cylinder wall contact and wearing in correctly which

in turn can cause lasting high oil consumption.

Your engine is shipped dry (without oil added). Be sure to add an oil such as those recommended above, before starting the engine.







START-UP

In your new engine, all moving parts and wear surfaces have been pre-lubed.

When starting the engine for the first time, please avoid prolonged cranking. If the engine

hasn’t started after cranking for 20-30 seconds, stop and investigate.

Once it starts, hold it at a fast idle 1200 -1500 RPM to insure good oil pressure and oil flow to

all moving parts.

Observe if the engine is running smoothly on all cylinders. If it is missing on a cylinder or not

running properly, fix it immediately.

If it seems to be running fine, then take it for a short drive - one mile or less to feel it out.

You may give the engine a few short bursts of 2 to 3 seconds up to about 4000 RPM. If it seems

to be making decent power and running smooth, then you are ready to “seat the rings”