Engine Break-in

Did you just say that if you rev your new engine over 3K that the oil filter is bypassed? It's my understanding that on a good filter the bypass only activates when the filter is clogged. That's why it's so important to change your dirty filter. I call BS on the RPM/pressure bypass theory on break-in.

 

To be fair, certain vehicles do have "full flow" design which filters all oil all the time, usually in compact cars. Typically truck which tend to work harder are no full flow. However, not knowing whether our engines are full flow or not im not going to take the chance.

 

I wasnt saying RPM related i was just saying that its related to pressure and volume and you get more pressure and volume at higher RPMs. I used a 4in grinder not die grinder and i used it to thin the tin housing enough to easily puncture it. I actually used aviation snips to cut the filter open. It was surprisingly dirty. I will eat my words if im not correct. Im just posting what i have been told by reputable people with mechanical engineering degrees. But, my father and uncles are old and things were deffinately different back in the day. Im no mechanical engineer, im an electrical service engineer . Not trying to step on anyone and not wanting to be called a BSer just relaying what i was taught and why i breakem' in slow. Do whatever you want i follow the manual and drive slow for the first 1000, and change the oil and filter at 600miles to be extra cautious Dirt= Bad. Cheap insurance IMO

 

when i had my engine swap in my 88 toyota pickup, i broke it in by driving freeway, Id gas up to 40 then back down a bit, then up to 50 and back down a bit then 60 and so on, i tried to keep the rpms all over the place, but not be too rough on it, and definitly do not rev it all the way or redline it.

 

I run a magnet on the oil filter till at least 10,000 miles after that I do not think it matters much . It has broken in enough that there will be no metal shavings IMO

 

there are so many different theories....my brain is hurting just thinking about it.

they all sound correct.

I'm going through my files in my head and if i'm correct, engines are ran at the factory on a dyno for a number of miles before it got into your truck. So it's pretty much broken in. So i would suggest just driving it normally as you would to break in everything else.

And if I'm correct, rings seat...depending on the grit used to hone the walls and the composition of the rings...they're ususal seat in a very short amount of time.

From all the different theories i've heard....I liked "drive it like you would normally"

but if its a fresh one you've overhaul like I have...you should take it out on a quiet street long enough and without traffic -quiet street and have it in 2nd.

Put a decent load..maybe half throttle up from 1k to 4k and let it engine brake down to 1k and back up to 4k...do this a good few times and you should be good.

throttling up pushes the rings out to help seat...and the negative pressure during engine braking does the same but in the other direction.

HOLLA!

 

All I know is I was easy to it the first 700mi, after that a few full throttle accell runs to about 80 here and there, and lots of crusing while varying rpm range. After about 1500 I considered it good and now I redline her just about every day.... runs like a bat out of hell and smiles while doing it

 

Yes its true most engines are run at the factory to make sure there are no major problems, leaks etc. The two basic rules of thumb are not to lug it nor to over rev it the first 500 miles. One key to some of this is they tell you( in the manual) specific mileage before you tow anything. There is a reason for that, I believe its 1000miles.
They obviously don't want any over due straining of the engine.
Mostly common sense, regarding engine break in.........now if you rebuild a motor, there are specific idea's on that too and I would imagine they vary, most crankshaft, camshaft makers all provide specific rules as to assembly and break in and they should be followed to the letter.

Jeff, 06, V6, SR5 , 6spd Radian Red

 

Im driving mine like I stole it! Hit 1100 miles today. Dont see how it takes 1000 or so miles to break a engine in. With the transfer of heat within the engine everything should be set, more or less, when it gets to operating temp for awhile. Never even worry about breakin time. Seems to me that if you baby it for the first 1000 then run it hard it would be no different than runnin it hard right off the lot.

 

I don't know if it takes 1000 miles to break in, but they do suggest that you don't tow anything until you have reached 1000 miles. There is a reason for that, otherwise they would not bother to put it in the manual.
500 miles comes very quickly in most cases, its certainly not a great idea to redline it when its brand new( I presume thats what you do when you "drive it like you stole it")
No need to baby a new engine either, just let it warm up and treat it right and those break in miles fly by .
If you don't plan on keeping your truck long term, it really doesn't matter how you treat it.

Jeff, 06 v6, SR5, 6spd

 

Everyone to their own choices, of course, thank God for good tolerances in the Taco factory. Just can't see beating up something that costs as much as a new truck.
However, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla. I am sure you have good luck with your trucks, its just I would not buy a truck that I knew was hammered....
Jeff, 06, V6, SR5 6spd

 

I only have 260 miles on mine right now and I have been driving it just like I normally would. No hard accelerations or quick stops. The only thing that I really have going against me is a short commute of 24 miles total.

 

now this is what my dealer told me on breaking in my engine.they(the dealer) do not consider my engine fully broke in until 16000 kms or roughly 8000mls,i'm just going to drive it until it falls apart.

later tig1

 

IMO the break in period for this tacoma's are 100,000 miles.

 

tig1, thats a interesting remark from your dealer. 8K is a lot of break in miles. Next time you speak to them you might ask them why, then again with the way Toyota has been acting lately, I would have to wonder about the response.
Jeff, 06, V6 SR5, 6spd