run in procedure

[Anarchy14i]

so after lots of reading and searching...

found that everyone has their method of running in new piston rings, the most i read about was flooring your car 1st 2nd and 3rd, some had ideas of oil changes and different oil types.

so to the people that do this a lot?
what is the correct run in procedure? meaning less chance to fck something up!!
please include if i should let the car idle a bit on first startup or just start and go while the engine is cold (which i dont like to do)

my first ring change want to do this right first time.
golf mk1 1.4i

[MrMazda]

The method I learned from both TSA & Samcor technical guys in the 90s is as follows. Do a few short distance runs to ensure there are no oil leaks etc, Then take a long distance run, vary RPM without going to close redline and most important do not labour the engine. Towards the end of the trip RPM can be increased.

I usually try to do a 500 to 1000 km round trip, with a few stops to check oil & water levels & for leaks.

[Anarchy14i]

Long distance is out of the question... need to do it shortest way possible as I need my car to get to work

[Jetta2]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[THANAS]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Followed this a few times with great success.

[Anarchy14i]

ok cool.. open hard in 2nd 3rd and 4th, got it...

so finding a stretch of highway and floor it and take off ramp. got it!
so the other thing i need to know is piston rings "clocking"
where should the ring gaps be line up?

[MrMazda]

Long distance is out of the question... need to do it shortest way possible as I need my car to get to work

So drive it for a week & take weekend trip. All my cars been run in this way even new cars where engine has clocked a few hours on factory dyno. Most of the vehicles I owned had clocked way beyond 300 000 km or some even 400 000 km without engine trouble.

[Anarchy14i]

but anyway whats the ring gap positions?

[panic-mechanic]

At least 90 degrees apart, not over the gudgeon pin and try to avoid the load side of the piston.
And engine needs to be loaded and unloaded for the rings to run in. If you avoid load the ring will not run in.
Do not confuse load with labour.
So start , let it idle initially, rev in short burst to around 2500 initially till younare sure temps and fluid levels are ok and wait for the fans to come on.
Then go forma 30km drive or so. Gently 1,2 and into third.. At 2000 rpm on a flat road in third -'florr it and let it run to 4000, now rlease the throttle and let it coast against compression back to 2000, floor, coast. Rinse and repeat about 10 times then let it run gently to cool down a bit. Repeat then drive it like a normal human being till 500 km. Change to decent oil and drive it normal after that. Traffic is actuallt the bestbfor run in. Not long distance somewhere.

[Anarchy14i]

Thanx bud... lol have other issues my rev counter doesnt work... cant find cause of that problem so I left it... i'll have to drive on sound and guessing work

[Anarchy14i]

Would it make a diff if the ring gaps of compression rings 180dg apart? Like one facing 12oClock and other one at 6

[MrMazda]

Panic what you describe is exactly what I do on the long distance runs. I could not express myself properly, so I take one day to get to the 500 km. then change oil when I return & it's ready to roll.

[ZiF_k]

Sorry for the hijack but would the procedure be the same for a turbo car as well Panic?

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

[panic-mechanic]

Many variables you introduce in a turbo car. So it depends on thenturbomsize, boost level, previously tuned or new map. But use a little bit of common sense and stay away from huge boost.

[Unobeat]

When my mechanic rebuilt my motor, once he checked for any leaks and car was running.
He said, i should not over rev past 4k rpm and drive in mixed conditions(traffic, highway) to bed in the rings and then after 1000km change oil then the fun starts.

Motor has done 100 000km since the rebuilt and it still runs perfectly, not using much if any oil in between the service intervals.
He did an awesome job on my motor with the rebuilt, as it is daily driven and does plenty of kilos.