engine break in (again)

Here is an interesting article on engine break in. It echos what has been said here before - run it hard. But there are a few interesting tips and arguments made. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

SF, I know an engine is an engine, but I sure would like something more specific to an automobile engine and even a Porsche would be nice. It all makes sense that the hard break in is the way to do it. I am still hesitant to consider running it hard from the get go. Thanks for the informative website. Russ

Yes I hear you. I've always followed the other rules myself. He does say this applies to cars as well. But old habits are hard to break. I probably will not have too much choice since I have 70 miles of mostly expressway driving just to get back from the dealer.

SF, I think that the temptation to run it up past 4200 rpms is going to be almost overwhelming. I am really hoping I can get something I feel confident with on the hard breakin. If the short answer is 'run it hard' and can be verified then I am all for it. Q: What is the most common cause of engine problems ??? A: Failure to:<b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><u> Warm the engine up completely before running it hard !!! </u>Q: [/b]What is the second most common cause of engine problems ??? <b style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A:[/b] An easy break in !!!

I realy doubt that porsche doesn't "tur on" all engines. And if they do, this guy technic is all wrong. How about 993, wich i am sure, were all test driven by pilots at Porsche? Maybe his knoledge doesn't aplly to Porsche....who knows? Not mee...

What about all the cars used for the press? They beat the hell out of those and they were brand new.

Patch, You make a good point, and the ones for all the testing. We need more info on the breakin procedure. What to do? Russ

Russ, Good point, I 'm like you, I will err on the conservative side. Although Porsche will sell all those test cars for the press and I'm sure they will come w/ full warranty. Those guys ran those units up to and past the rev. limiter. Patch

You guys are making too big an issue. The precision of modern car enginesmakes break-in less important. It really won't matter. 'Hard' is relative. Russ, when you say hard, I bet your thinking normal driving would be a 'hard' break-in. Hard would starting a race with a new engine. Think about that- full throttle, red-line, all the time.Engines would have a higher failure rate if you did that, but I bet few would break still. I'm going to drive normally during the first tank of gas or so except for the following: Take extra care to wait forit get hot before putting load on it. No extended high-rpm driving, like trying to go 150+. Avoid stop and go traffic. Remember, the worst that can happen with too 'hard' is that it breaks under warranty. The worst that can happen with too soft is that it's down on power an burns oil. I think erring on the too hard side is better. Edited by - chrismillion on 11/21/2005 10:36:25 PM

New parts (rings on cylinders) require time to mateproperly for optimum sealing therefore giving optimum performance. You want your Porsche to burn oil and make less horsepower, then be my guest. Porsche engineers know much more about your car than any self proclaimed expert, why chance it? 2K miles goes by pretty fast if you drive the car instead of let it sit in your garage.I broke my 987 in by the book, and it hasn't used any oil, not even 1/4 quart, in 7200 miles. Runs stronger and stronger all the time. I drive it every day.

That's strong evidence supporting my main point, which is that statistically it won't matter. I don't believe the break-in advice in the owners manual come from engineers, but from execs that don't want engines to break under warranty. Edited by - chrismillion on 11/21/2005 10:49:10 PM

Chris, You make perfect sense to me. I am sure that we all do it a little differently, but just using common sense is a good rule of thumb.The first tank of gas will go pretty fast if you ask me. John, thanks I appreciate you sharing what has worked in the past. All this will aid us with the breakin process. Aloha Russ

From many, many technicians....break it in like you are going to drive it. Break it in hard and drive it hard.

This is pasted from the www.porsche.com/usa from the Virtual Factory Tour: The following hot test is the final step in the engine production process. The engines are first of all heated up to operating temperature and then subjected to a functional test including full-throttle testing. Information in the form of up to 220 parameters is generated in this test of around five minutes' duration.

Patch, actually you can't run them past the rev limiter, that why theyr'e there. Except by downshifting.... and if you cause the valves to float most engines (definitaly Porsches) will eat themselves. Meaning the piston hits the valve if it doesn't close on time. Older, lower performance engines had enough clearance where you could float the valves andit could live,but not new ones.

I will trust the Porsche engineers to be among the best in the business, and follow the company break-in instructions. The only thing that would make me change my mind would be if the lawyers wrote the break-in instructions (trying to prevent what?) rather than the engineers.