Breaking in d4d engine

[puregeek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close puregeek]

Im getting different information about this. The manual states no hard driving, no towing. To me that sounds like babying the engine. Some other places are saying drive the hell out of it.

Could someone shed some light on this please.

[Guest Close Guest]

I think a good method to break in an engine is to drive it in the hills. The idea is to vary the power and not drive at a constant speed for prolonged periods. i.e. go up and down the rev range.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Agree with amts. Don't baby the engine but don't make it lug either. Avoid constant speed (no cruise) and drive normally where you get to use different rev ranges / different gears.

[puregeek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close puregeek]

How longs are you supposed to "break" it in?

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Just drive it. Forget the running in stuff. Thats from 20 years ago where things weren't machined to the tolerances of today.

At work we run fleet. Nothing gets run in and there are no issues with engines other than operator error.

You will often correctly hear the 'no lugging' an engine. This is correct for all engines all the time.

Have fun.

[kieranu Member Find all posts View Profile Close kieranu]

I just RTFM which said to break it in for 2000km I think it was - as others above said minimize long constant drives but instead plenty of rev changes.

[naenae Member Find all posts View Profile Close naenae]

From the manual
To extend the life of the vehicle, observe the following precautions is recommended.
For the first 300Kms avoid sudden stops
For the first 8ookms do not tow a trailer
for the first 1000kms do not drive at extremely high speeds, avoid sudden acceleration, do not drive continuously in low gears, do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods, do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in a high gear.

Idling time before stopping the engine (diesel only)
To prevent damage to the turbocharger, allow the engine to idle immediately after high speed driving or up hill.
Normal city driving Idle not necessary
High speed
constant speed of approx 80kms - Approx 20 seconds idle time
constant speed of approx 100kms - approx 1 minute idle time
Steep hill driving or continuous driving at 100kms or more - approximately 2 minutes

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

Heard many different methods, but generally as long as you don't sit on one speed for constant periods or lug the engine you should be ok. Like the manual says, no high speeds or towing, vary the revs and don't shut off as soon as you stop.

[Skoeter Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Skoeter]

I would also recommend an oil change at approx 500km. I did mine and was in two minds about it initially. Afterwards I was glad I did because you should have seen the tiny metal flakes glitter in the sun when it was drained. Did not want to run with that in the oil for 10k km... Cheers

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

My 2009 150 Lc4 (VX) was bought as a 1 year old ex Toyota car driven by some manager or other - so I doubt it got any 'running in' as it were which I always do when buying brand new. Still - it sounds quiet, is smooth and responsive and a lot cheaper than new... )

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Coming from a maintenance background, I don't care what they say about modern engines the 1000km oil change is critical as there will always be some bedding in and generation of metal.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Coming from a maintenance background, I don't care what they say about modern engines the 1000km oil change is critical as there will always be some bedding in and generation of metal.

1000% Agree Steve,

I always do a 1000km oil change and filter change. Picks up all the swarf, moisture and dirt that ends up inside the engine during the build process. My new trucks always get done. Cheap insurance I say.

Cheers,