Board Logo

running-in oil
oval TOFU - January 31st, 2004 at 07:36 PM

I tried a search on this topic but it evades me... What oil should I use (engine) for running-in? I know oil for this specific purpose exists, I havent seen any for some time - not 'non-friction modified oil?

I've read in 'Drive' (The Age) that the first oil change should be at about 500Ks then 1000ks, then every 5000ks...


comments? opinions?


Astro Boy - January 31st, 2004 at 07:39 PM

is this a brand new engine or a reco. and in what VW. personally i would Castrol GTX 2 all year round for VW's but someone will probably correct me.


Bizarre - January 31st, 2004 at 07:43 PM

You can get Penzoil running in oil. Think it is a straight 30 weight

read here

http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles/engnbrkn.htm 

but basically

The FIRST oil change should be straight away... like after 15 mins of cam break in.

The drive it hard for say 50 km.
Oil change

and again

Than at 500kms

Then 5000


TTFN

Barry


Craig Torrens - January 31st, 2004 at 10:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Astro Boy
is this a brand new engine or a reco. and in what VW. personally i would Castrol GTX 2 all year round for VW's but someone will probably correct me.


I agree :thumb

Running in oil :jesus

What I did was run my motor for about a minute or two and then dumped the oil. I did this about 3 times. The third time I ran the motor for about 5mins .
I then did 1000k's and replaced the oil, this being the first service.
Then every 5000K's

This was using GTX 2, although I now run the car on Formulae R (GP50).


70AutoStik - January 31st, 2004 at 11:38 PM

Penrite have a "Running-in" oil, it is non-friction-modified (still multigrade, but without the long-chain modifier additives) and has zinc diophosphate (might have spelled that wrong) to aid in the surface hardening of the cam. For the main part this happens in the first twenty (or 15) minutes of life as you hold it at 3000rpm (or 2500, or half the designed redline - depends who you talk to.) You then dump the oil and refill it, many recommend the next change-out (of the second half of the running-in oil) at 1500km, but I think you're pretty safe with the 500km suggestion.

The only cams I know of that don't need any running in are the extremely expensive hard-welded and/or pre-run cams used by professional strip racers (their engines don't live long enough for a running in procedure to be practical...) But suggestions of how that is to be done vary widely, even from very reliable sources. Blue74l's suggestion is how we always did it in the old days (our rings and honing weren't that good back then, so we had to,) but there have been reports of aftermarket cams failing or going flat with such procedures in recent years.


vw54 - February 1st, 2004 at 04:32 AM

we have runnng in oil here in Sydney its lighter in viscosity so it tens to penetrate better, let me know if you want some


Che Castro - February 1st, 2004 at 11:50 AM

yeah I used penzoil running in oil when i rebuilt my engine. changed oil and filter straight after cam break in - you can see all the metal particles in the oil when its in the sun. changed again after 50 , then 500, and 5000.

now i'm using Penrite HPR-10, its a 10-50w semi-synthetic. the thinner viscosity doesnt put as much pressure on the oil lines and seals during start up. It holds oil pressure better at operating temp than valvoline 20-50w.


oval TOFU - February 1st, 2004 at 12:58 PM

Its a 1500 going into a beetle...

I'm only getting new P&C's and reco-ed heads... so I won't have to dump the oil after 15 mins of run in?

So.. firstly, use the run-in oil and dump at firt interval, then use the normal stuff? -or use the run-in stuff for the first two intervals and then the normal oil?


vw54 - February 1st, 2004 at 03:39 PM

Only use the Run in Oil for the first 500 miles or 1000klms. Dump it and use what ever oil you intend to use.


Che Castro - February 2nd, 2004 at 05:19 PM

the purpose of the run in oil is to let all the wear surfaces of the engine (such as the bearings, journals, piston rings, cylinders, cam lobes, lifters etc.) wear against each other to sort of machine in itself to a perfect fit. Run in oil doesnt have additives to lower friction - so it helps in the process


oval TOFU - February 2nd, 2004 at 06:20 PM

Yeh, I knew the low friction-reducing qualities of run-in oil, just wanted to clarify how long to use it. So, cheers fellas!

Dak on!

[size=1]So, what's a good oil to use? heheh [/size]
Just kidding... I know oil stuff... phew! that could've been a long thread!:D