Advanced Engineering Tech - How fast ring wash really happens on a new engine?

I don't know where to put this but I have always been curious about ring wash on new engines wether they are OE crates or big strokers.

There is quite a bit of info out there on how to break in an engine for the first time. Some say that getting the RPM's and heat in it right away is the correct way while others say that slow ramping RPM and shut down repeatedly is the way.

So, my question is: You have a brand new engine and you start it, maybe drive it but more so let it idle. What are your chances of seating rings? What are the chances its junk?

And, what/why do you feel the proper break in is?

Hopefully we can get some good info for future searches.

i break in new engines by starting running it through 3 heat cycles.. then i change the oil. drive it easy for 100 miles.. letting the car slow down with the gears etc.. change the oil. then drive the shit out of it. hasnt failed me yet.

proper is different to everyone fwiw..

I don't think I've ever really "broke in" a motor. Usually what happened is when we first got the motor built and running we let it idle for a bit, rev'd it a couple times and then put in synthetic oil and went straight to the track the next day :lol:.

On my current 370ci. I drove it pretty easy on the street for about 3 or 4 days then hammered down on it. I've always heard the saying "Break it in the way your gonna drive it!"

I was getting a bit of oil out of the catch can, but I guess the rings are seated pretty good now since I'm not get any.

Different people have different ways of breaking things in.

the only thing you have to worry about when concerned with washing the walls down, is how rich its running. if you fire it up and crack the throttle and get trace of black smoke out the exhaust, shut it off immediately. for a roller engine, i start it up bring the RPMS up right away and let it run for about 10 minutes, shut it off, let it cool, then repeat 3 times. after that, change the oil drive it about 100 miles, and change it again. your done.

As mentioned, the only way you are going to wash rings is if you are overly rich, or it could happen if the new engine takes a long time to fire due to an issue, all the while your pumping raw fuel down in the cylinders.

As mentioned, the only way you are going to wash rings is if you are overly rich, or it could happen if the new engine takes a long time to fire due to an issue, all the while your pumping raw fuel down in the cylinders.

i think most of the time it happens when people install bigger injectors and do not tune for them

Here's a good read:

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

Here's a good read:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Very interesting read.

One comment:

Q: What about the main and rod bearings, don't they break - in ??

A: Actually, the operation of plain bearings doesn't involve metal to metal contact !! The shiny spots on used
bearings are caused from their contact with the crankshaft journals during start up after the engine has been sitting a while,
and the excess oil has drained off. This is the main reason for not revving up the engine when it's first started.


This is true of any bearing type, not just the insert types that engines use. It also applies to bearings that are either greased or oiled.

Provided the tune is good drive it like ya stole it to break it in. Just change the oil a couple times the first 500 miles...... My next one will prolly be broken in on the dyno....

I drove mine around the block once, then was doing WOT blasts on the freeway at 3am. I've thought about trying to break my new motor in on gas instead of e85 to avoid washing the cylinder walls down. But my builder said not to worry about it.