"Engine break-in" procedures

[nimblebee]

Now here's some controversy: "engine break-in." Everybody's got a different opinion and everybody thinks they're right, issue being lack of agreement.

Searching for "engine break-in" didn't give useful results, so I'm going to start a thread attempting to resolve this issue.

Everyone should be able to search & directly arrive to a sticky, or at least to a major engine break-in discussion, imho.

Maybe something about search engine is wonky? Inputting terms can be rejected, when search says "too common a word" and search ignores part of search terms, providing less than helpful, or useful results.

Engine break-in should be a sticky imho, because proceedure has such an impact to every engine purchased, & is something everyone wants and needs to know about, imho.

Hughes motorized recommends 40:1 & has his opinion and video on how to break-in an engine:

Donnyboy73 the small engine doctor, has his take on fuel to oil ratio and oils to use:

Bikeberry has posted videos stating their procedures.

Bikeberry does not have a playlist for engine break-in, but they do have a numbered video series 1, 2, 3 on their break-in procedure, which you can locate on their YouTube channel.

Information has to have been posted and must be on forums, but search engine isn't adequately locating information about engine break-in.

Let's have some of the well-known members pitch in and post forum links, so folks can easily find engine break-in information. Thanks!

Hopefully, title of this thread: "Engine break-in" procedures, will be such to enable search engine to find this thread?

Just about every question possible has been asked and answered, now one just has to locate posted info.

Better to locate needed information on forums, but there are YouTube videos to wade through as well, if necessary.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Starting a new thread on this subject is just going to get you all the same answers that you've read before.


I've been building these bikes professionally since 2007, (& at this point I've built thousands of them).
The break in method that works best for me is to hop on it & ride it like you stole it at wide open throttle.
I use 32:1 for the first tank, then switch to 40:1 for the rest of the engines life.

 

[nimblebee]

... break in method that works best for me is to hop on it & ride it like you stole it at wide open throttle.
I use 32:1 for the first tank, then switch to 40:1 for the rest of the engines life.

Thanks for info from a well experienced, well-known member.

We now have 4 different approaches, sufficient along with previous postings on forums.

Purpose of this thread is a workaround for search engine being unable to locate threads via "break-in procedure" search terms.

I'm not wanting to rehash the threads that have already been established I'm only wanting to get links to those threads from this one which the search engine can find.

Concept is to help others out, by having links in this thread easily available, taking you to thread's having previously established & pertinent discussions on break-in procedure.

Thread has run its course, doubt can accomplish much more, because finding polar opposite ideas on break-in.

If I do find threads having especially pertinent information, may make further postings to this thread.

Don't want to start new debate who's procedure is correct, just want information available with a simple search: "break-in procedure"

Folks can read through the linked threads and see the various procedures, decide which they want to use.

As nearly as can form a consensus from forums I've read, beyond the first few miles, don't baby the engine, but don't keep it at wide open throttle very long either, until rings wear in and performance increases. That's as much as I can conclude from the forums that I've read, and I'm 100% sure there's going to be folks disagree with this assessment.

 

[Wrench]

@nimblebee Just wondering If ya got a new engine yet, and if so, how's the engine break In going

 

[Greg58]

I've learned a lot from this forum, VMB has helped a lot of people including me. I run a new engine up and down the road I live on two or three times then let it cool and repeat, each ride is around 3 miles, puting the engine through a few heat cycles has worked out for me, not saying it's the best way but while it cools you can check over everything for problems.

 

[nimblebee]

I've learned a lot from this forum, VMB has helped a lot of people including me. ... can check over everything for problems.

Great input definitely understand where you're coming from about checking for problems.

Had to replace piston, which had hole in top, only finding out damage likely caused by spark plug stucking too far into cylinder?

Definitely didn't see that one coming! Comparing spark plug coming with repair parts ordered, and holding next to spark plug in engine, plug that came with repair parts was definitely 1/8" shorter.

Back trying to figure out why spark has disappeared? After repairing problem with piston, noticed impact had mashed down spark plug electrode and pushed off to side.

That's when realized plug was too long, even though correct plug part number for motorized bicycle engine.

One main reason for motorized bicycle kit: have fun enjoying tinkering... little did I know, how much "fun" was going to be involved!

 

[Johnny_]

For break-in, the best method is 20:1 for about 300 miles, and then switch to 25:1. It is important to use non-synthetic oil for break-in.

 

[nimblebee]

For break-in, the best method is 20:1 for about 300 miles, and then switch to 25:1. It is important to use non-synthetic oil for break-in.

Opinions vary so widely and oppositely on break in procedures, you'll never anticipate getting consensus.

Chicanic expresses her opinion on YouTube channel, Echo synthetic 2 stroke oil produces best results in reducing carbon buildup and essentially claims engine does best with this product. Check out her videos for more specific recommendations.

Advise watch chickanic videos, to get "real deal" experiences on fuel oil ratios & products used in her small engine shop.

She's been running small engine business with lots of different customers problems, gaining benefit of years of experiences.

Chichanic reports good results from Echo synthetic two-stroke oil, "Mechanic In A Bottle" "ethanol shield" and other products.

Chickanic offers her opinions and advice based on products she's found helpful in her business. What's not to like?

Chickanic

When all else fails and you are in need of help, ask a Chickanic! Bringing you insightful small engine repair tutorials, product reviews, DIY tips and tricks, with little humor to brighten your day. (A little about me) My name is Bre. I took two years of small engine repair at the local...

m.youtube.com

 

[Wrench]

Opinion is very so wisely on this that you'll never expect to get a consensus.

Chicken egg expresses her opinion on her website that Echo synthetic 2 stroke oil produces best results in reducing carbon buildup and essentially claims the engine.

Best and watch her video If you want to get real deal on ratios used in her small engine shop.

Mechanic offers her opinions and advice on products she's found helpful in her business.

Have you broken in your new engine yet, If so, what was your technique? After all, your a DIY Thinker

 

[Johnny_]

reducing carbon buildup and essentially claims [cleans] the engine.

Sure it can, but you don't need that with a brand new engine.

When an engine is breaking in, one of the things that is happening is the rings and cylinder wall are wearing, removing microscopic imperfections and seating to each other.

So for break-in, some amount of wear is obviously necessary, and beneficial.

The problem with using synthetic oil during break in, is it can actually be too slick, resulting in a reduction of beneficial wear, in which case the engine may never break in properly.

 

[Wrench]

2 cents

When breaking In a 2 stroke engine the idea is to use Dino Oil
So the rings wear into the cross hatch on the cyl wall faster and the rings become properly seated

Synthetic oils are superior in wear protection
Using Synthetic for break in can prevent the rings from properly wearing into the crosshatch on the cylinder wall and you can end up with poorly seated rings

Break in period is limited, you get one chance. The rings will be properly seated or they will not be properly seated

Some say there's nothing wrong with using Synthetic oil for break in, that it just takes longer for the rings to become seated
IMO why chance poorly seated rings. Just use Dino oil for break in
After break in you can switch to Synthetic