whats the method for running in a new recon/rebuilt engine?

[spike blonde]

hi hope someone can tell me how i "treat" a recon/rebuilt engine for running in period
situ is this ive basically had to have my 1.9 wbx engine rebuilt with new bottom end reground crank etc, while the mech ive took it to has replaced all the usuall bits, seals gaskets etc etc n the engine is as good as basically been recon'd but hes not really a wbx expert as he usually does aircold. im worried he might not kno the correct running in procedure so im hopin someone on here can advise me? i think ive read somewhere on here that u have to limit speed for so many miles and such like but on a search havent been able to find where i read it? advice please folks, after spendin a small fortune gettin engine rebuilt i dont want to ruin it through ignorance

[CovKid]

Just do everything gently, gentle speed build up and around 50mph max for first few hundred miles. There are many views on this but as a rough guide you won't go far wrong adhering to that. No harsh acceleration and keep an eye on engine temp, oil etc.

[spike blonde]

cheers covkid, do they need to go for a check up as such after so many miles to retune after running in before using as "normal"?

[Aidan]

basically keep it below 3k rpm till everything fully bedded in 500 miles is the normal recommended distance, best if it's not lots of short journeys where engine doesn't get to temp, a long run seems to be fine way of running in
change oil and filter, if you can get friendly garage to check the emissions then great, ensure it's not running lean, other than that check the belt tension is good and no leaks and keep going for many many oil changes

[toomanytoys]

Dont make it pull at low revs.. use a light throttle (up to half) and allow it to have a few more revs after 200 miles ish.. vary the load on it, dont sit at one throttle position for ages... 3/4 throttle for a short burst here and there as the miles go on.. even after 500 dont start mashing the throttle.. use more and more throttle and rpm in stages... by 1000 it will be sorted..

[spike blonde]

thanks for all the advice, will a gentle run to devon from liverpool fit the bill?

[CovKid]

If you can vary your speed a great deal yes.....

Go the scenic route

[spike blonde]

well we r going early morning 4 am ish so it will b quiet on the roads n wont feel pressured on the mway lol

[Red Westie]

Didn't see any reference to re-bore/barrels/pistons/rings/camshaft?
Was it just the bottom end that was rebuilt? but using existing pistons/rings/barrels?
If so then there isn't going to be a deal of running in.

Martin

[spike blonde]

the whole engine was stripped down and rebuilt crank/case reground and camshaft from one engine, pistons with new piston rings and heads from my old engine, new flywheel. how much needs to be changed for it to need running in?

[CovKid]

Yep. it all takes time for all the various parts to get used to each other and bed in. Not sure I'd want to tackle a long run on a maiden voyage but if you take it easy and stop now and then for a brew you should be ok. Keep it under 50 (maybe 55) and try and get off the long main roads now and again so that you're not stuck on one speed all the way and give the engine a taste of different speeds as well as a needed rest. Try to think of it as a pensioner thats just had a hip replacement and you'll get some idea of how to treat her. After a couple of hundred miles you can think about taking her up to 60 but again, build up slowly and don't hold it there for long periods - slowly does it.

First lot of oil that comes out will be full of crap. On bugs I ran with a thinner oil for first hundred miles then chucked that out and replaced it with a normal oil, changing it again after a further 200 miles.