| Author | Message | ||
     M1combat |
Can anyone tell me if it is a good idea to use a more "modern" approach to breakin in an XB12 engine? Specifically the techniques of loading the engine to pressurize the rings so they seat sooner by way of using a bit of throttle but not lugging the engine (I hear this is very important) and changing oil after about 30 miles, then riding as normal but staying low in the RPM range (less than 3500 for instance) and changing again after roughly 200 miles??? I would probably then change at 500 as well and at that point go to some good synthetic oil. Just curious to hear some experienced opinions. I have read a lot of internet content regarding this but am still unsure.. | ||
| Bads1 |
You better go alittle further then 500 miles before you do syn.I would at least put a 1000 miles on before the switch. | ||
| Dynarider |
I coulda swore that all new Harleys are coming from the factory with syn in them. I believe their press release about the oil when it came out even said its fine to use for break in. | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm, If it's synth and fine to use for break in it MUST be horrible synth... If it is synth I may just change it out for some dino stuff before I start it. The main thing is I want the rings to seat well and quickly. Too bad I can't use dino for the rings and synth for the bearings  . Call me anal, but their press release... Did it say it was "fine" to use for break in, or "best" for break in? . This is the first new engine I have ever owned. The truck was babied before I got it, The mustang had about 10K on a rebuild and the Honda was VERY broken in (runs strong though, but a Qt. of oil every 7-800 miles). | ||
| Dave |
FWIW... If I'm not mistaken, Triumphs specify their special formulated Mobile 1 (ummm hmm), but they come from the factory with "run in" oil that's short lived. DAve | ||
| Leeaw |
I was told the Screamin' Eagle 103 ci comes with the Syn3. I was also told that I should run it and did the switch at 600 miles. I guess time will tell. | ||
| Clydeglide |
Both Mobil and Amsoil will tell you their respective oils are fine for break-in. They are generally regarded as the best synthetics out there. Mobil 1 is factory fill on Corvette, Porsche, Mercedes and Viper. The question now becomes how do you know when the rings are fully seated without disassembly? It was suggested to me not to go to synth oil "too soon". Bull$hit! At 600 miles I changed the oil on my Hayabusa to Mobil 1. The level in the sight glass never varies between changes. The transmission was instantly smoother. Once again all I can say is......... Too Slippery My A$$. | ||
| Ftd |
The tractive coefficient, which is a measure of "slipperiness", is the same for synthetics and mineral oils. Synthetics are just engineered oils thus they don't have some of the unwanted chemicals that mineral oils contain. Break in using synthetics is completely acceptable. Frank | ||
| Fullpower |
the concept of an oil being so slippery as to impede break-in, or the "seating" of piston rings is patently absurd. lets just lay this one to rest right now. your rins are "seated" the first gallon of gasoline you burn. you can verify this with a cylinder leak down test Before you start your new engine, and after 50 miles, and again at 1000 miles. use CLEAN oil | ||
| Clydeglide |
Tractive coefficient.......The words I've been looking for. I like it. There's just too many people making more out of synth oil then it deserves. When I did my last engine rebuild I couldn't believe the number of skeptics about breaking it in on Mobil 1. Me being me just poured it in before startup anyway. No issues.  | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm. I guess the "key" as I've read, is that for the most part, the sooner you can seat the rings properly the better. The reason is that when the cylinders are honed, there is a bit of a cross cut pattern. You optimally want the rings to seat the the same time that these cross cuts lose their "edge" thereby leaving the maximum amount of ring left which "should" create more pressure at the ring surface during operation. Theoretically this should give you the best durability, power and economy (in that order on my list). I don't mind swapping the oil... Even if it's Shell Ultra Helix... I am just looking for what is optimal. I suppose trusting the manual would leave me "safe", but is that best? | ||
| Xb12r |
Ride it like you stole it | ||
| Bads1 |
I've got a XB12S and it didn't have syn.in it but it will this weekend at 1000 miles. | ||
| Paroyboy |
FYI, only the CVO Harleys come from the factory with Syn3 in them. | ||
| Gearloose |
Still got dino in at 1200 miles,that includes 2 oil an filter changes.I guess I just like to leave "things" in longer! Gearloose | ||
| Reepicheep |
One good reason not to run syn during break in is just cost. I want my first oil change to happen at about 500 miles, and my second to happen at about 1500 miles. Then I go to a normal 3500 or so mile change interval. The role of the first two oil changes is to just carry as much junk out of the engine as possible. None of it will be in there long enough to break down, so buy cheaper stuff. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
The factory tells you things for a reason (some pretty smart guys/gals are dictating the writing of the technical manuals.)The first few hundred miles are ridden at a casual pace so your engine has the opportunity to stress relieve itself. (That would be the 'junk' that I believe Reepi is referencing) The manufacturing process, by its very nature, creates stresses by welding, casting, machining, and forging. These stresses are sometimes called 'fringes.' We can look at them as minute bumps or imperfections in the surface(s.) These tiny imperfections are naturally relieved by heat and usage. | ||
| M1combat |
I'm certainly not suggesting that I'll "beat" on it as such. Just get on it to build pressure behind the rings and keep it under a MAX of 4K RPM's and try to keep it under 3500 but "use" it. Basically something like mild/moderate roll-ons from say 30 to 60 (depending on how the gearing works out) after that first oil change at 50 miles. | ||
| Clydeglide |
One good reason not to run syn during break in is just cost. I want my first oil change to happen at about 500 miles, and my second to happen at about 1500 miles. Then I go to a normal 3500 or so mile change interval. If you were to call 1-800-ASK-MOBIL, as I did, that's exactly what they would tell you. Other then that, knock yourself out! Also, we need something more then, "I beat the crap out of it from day one and it runs like stink!" vs. Hey, I babied mine and it runs like stink! How do you prove these things? Waaayy too many variables as far as I'm concerned. Anecdotal evidence: My wife broke in the Buell and the 'Busa. Trust me, her bikes never see the far side of 4000 rpm except when I'm on them. Very rare in the case of the X1. With just modest port matching and muffler modification it had 94 rwhp. That was with original rings at 7500 miles. Go figure. | ||
| Boulderbiker |
I did the hard break-in myself. I probably read some of the same articles as you. Quite frankly concerning the stress relieving thing. If they built these things so close to the edge that you had to baby it while it was low on mileage for fear of breaking they wouldn't stay in business long. I think that it has more to do with companies fearing liabilities with new owners on new products, than anything mechanical. As for junk from from the break-in period, thats why I changed my oil three times in the first 500 miles then one more time at 1500 to synthetic. Can't say whether its better or worse than someone elses. Surely rides just as good as the demo bike if not better, which got a "proper" break-in. Besides If Ducati seems to think its ok to redline a bike a couple times fresh off the assembly line, and their engine has a whole lot more moving parts, it can't be all that bad. | ||
| Frankielewczak |
i think its for the owner as well, not the bike. hell people dont read the owners manual anyway, and even few will follow directions. I really think the main reason for "breaking in an engine" is for the rider to get used to the bike. |
