Break-In Period

[NiceOnes]

I hear so many opinions regarding breaking in a new boat/engine that I figured it wouldn't hurt to get a few more.

I've always beleived that for the first 10-15 hours you shouldn't open it up and to vary the RPM as much as possible. Lots of stopping and starting.

I've heard people say that there's no need to concern yourself with a break in period.

What do you guys think/practice?

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I hear so many opinions regarding breaking in a new boat/engine that I figured it wouldn't hurt to get a few more.

I've always beleived that for the first 10-15 hours you shouldn't open it up and to vary the RPM as much as possible. Lots of stopping and starting.

I've heard people say that there's no need to concern yourself with a break in period.

What do you guys think/practice?

I build my own motors and use the ring manufacturers recommendations. Perfect Circle recommends that you raise throttle from idle rapidly and as the motor reaches about 75% full rpm, back off. Do this 5-10 times. This drops vacuum and reduces the oil on the wall of the cylinder to help seat the rings. They also recommend no WOT (redline rpm) for first 4 hours.

[jbort]

first 20-25 hrs go normal but no top end or high speed has been my norm. try to avoid long periods at same speed.

[ajholt7]

I've always been told the best way to break them in is to wakeboard. You are varying the rpm's alot and not going to redline. I'd say after 5 hours you should be pretty well broke in.

[dingleberry]

I've always been told the best way to break them in is to wakeboard. You are varying the rpm's alot and not going to redline. I'd say after 5 hours you should be pretty well broke in.

That was exactly the recommendation of our dealer.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I've always been told the best way to break them in is to wakeboard. You are varying the rpm's alot and not going to redline. I'd say after 5 hours you should be pretty well broke in.

I also agree with wakeboarding, as it tends to put a low RPM load on the engine doing the same thing as I described above.

[Vicseek]

I bought my RZ2 with only 13 hours on it, so they said I was still under the break in period.

Honestly I just used the theory I had learned when I was going to school for my Airframe & Power plant (aircraft mechanic) licenses.
DON'T baby the engine, power levels below 65% will leave a thin film of oil on the cylinder walls, add the heat and you may get the Glazing effect thus you'll have continues problem with oil consumption thereafter.

A good break in occurs when the piston rings expand sufficiently to mate with the cylinder walls. This pressure typically occurs above 65% power/RPM level.

[Coop]

I don't have it in front of me, but if you read the manual on the new PCM's, it recommends some WOT during the first 5 hours. I thought that was a little unusual, but that's what it says.

[hyphen79]

I don't have it in front of me, but if you read the manual on the new PCM's, it recommends some WOT during the first 5 hours. I thought that was a little unusual, but that's what it says.

Yep, I was told by the dealer to do the same thing. So, what I did was when we were heading back to the dock, or back to the beach I would run it WOT for a bit. Then I would bring it back down to a cruising speed.

[chpthril]

"Drive it like you stole it, Ricky Bobby"

Seriously, right now, with out looking, who can tell me the exact break it procedure as outlined by the manufacturer for every car/truck in your driveway!!!

tick-toc, tick-toc, ok, times up! You cant, can you Admit it, NONE of us has ever even cracked the owners manual of our cars, more less fallowed the engine break in guidelines. We pull off the lot and drive away never looking back. We put gas in it and service it when its due. And guess what, no problems, they go for miles and miles.

Bottom line, there is absolutely nothing wrong with fallowing the break-in procedure, but IMO, its not necessary. Check the fluids regularly, use the boat as it was intended, and have it service at the correct intervals.

[mnpracing]

I know this thread is old, but in case this might help someone... The current manual says WOT then back down to 2800-3000 rpm and cruise for 1/2 hour. Then WOT for a minute, and then cruising at 2800-3000 rpm for a few minutes. Repeat this from time to time in the first 5 hours. During the remaining 20 hours of break in period, the engines can be run at cruise speeds that are approximately 75-80% of the wide open throttle RPM, occasionally varying the cruise speed by 100 RPM.

Link here, page 25

http://www.pcmengines.com/operation/

[hycosurf]

Wow, its says to wot right after warm up.

[IDBoating]

Interesting that this thread has been revived after all this time.

The most surprising break in (and operating!) procedure I've seen so far was for my John Deere garden tractor. The manual's recommendation? WOT from cold start and leave it there. I just couldn't do it. Even now we warm it up at about 1/3rd throttle for a couple of minutes before hammering it.

Speaking of that, I've heard it's a bad idea to warm up an engine by leaving it at idle for extended periods. Besides the fact than an engine under no load will generally never "warm up" anyway, what is the specific problem with warming up at idle? I've taken to warming up with some throttle puttering around the lake for a few minutes in the morning, but it would be nice to know the theory behind the practice.

[Wickedcummins]

Drive it like you stole if from day one and it will be long lasting.. Beak in hhaha..silly

[NICKYPOO]

Interesting that this thread has been revived after all this time.

The most surprising break in (and operating!) procedure I've seen so far was for my John Deere garden tractor. The manual's recommendation? WOT from cold start and leave it there. I just couldn't do it. Even now we warm it up at about 1/3rd throttle for a couple of minutes before hammering it.

Speaking of that, I've heard it's a bad idea to warm up an engine by leaving it at idle for extended periods. Besides the fact than an engine under no load will generally never "warm up" anyway, what is the specific problem with warming up at idle? I've taken to warming up with some throttle puttering around the lake for a few minutes in the morning, but it would be nice to know the theory behind the practice.

The way I understand it, its for better oil dispersion. I have zero facts to back that up. I was told by my first engine builder (R.I.P.) to hammer it from the get go. I got 300,000+ out that 327 he built. I was a stupid kid and beat the hell out of that motor. Then, like an idiot, sold it.