What Are the Break-In Procedures for Chrome Rings?

When an engine gets rebuilt, particularly with new, chrome piston rings, the break-in period provides critical wearing of the cylinder parts. Without a correctly performed break-in period, the engine pistons can grind against the cylinder walls at higher performance levels, causing significant engine damage. Instead, the wearing-in conditions the piston rings to the cylinder, avoiding the friction problems that occur without proper conditioning. Much of the work depends on two critical steps: the mechanic properly oiling the cylinder during the rebuild, and then you driving the engine at lower speeds to allow break-in to occur properly.

Instructions

1

Check with the mechanic to determine which kind of oil was last put into the oil reservoir. Swap out the synthetic engine oil with mineral-based engine oil if the former was used instead.

2

Run the engine at low speeds until it warms up. Take the vehicle out for a slow drive in low gears. Maintain this performance for about 30 minutes.

3

Drive the vehicle at a higher speed but do not exceed 55 mph for the first 1,000 miles. Do not exceed 3,500 RPMs.

4

After 2,000 miles, bring the vehicle back into the garage and drain the engine oil completely. Loosen the drain plug with a crescent wrench and let the old oil drain out into an oil pan. Install fresh, new mineral-based oil and a new oil filter using a filter tool.

5

Drive the vehicle as you would normally after the oil change.