Hello,

My '99 C4 just got a factory remanufactured engine. Sadly, the old one died at 83K miles. The dealer told me there was no break-in period needed.

Does that sound right?
I have read many differing opinions from barely using it to going full out. Any thoughts or comments...??

I would like for the new engine to last as long as possible. Now that I have so much $ tied up in this car, it is a long-term keeper. I do like to hit a couple DE's in the summer and drive the car as a part time daily driver year-round.

 

The manual says to keep it under 4,000 rpm for the first 1,000 miles, vary the rpm's and don't lug the engine. also, you should change the oil early on to get rid of any metial flakes, etc.

 

Take the side of caution. Though I believe all of the re-mann engines are dyno tested these days I'd still be easy on it for the first 1000 miles, change the oil and then treat it like normal.

Andy

 

Warm it up and redline it. If engine is assembled properly, it will not grenade and breakin is over. If it does grenade, no amount of breakin will have made a difference. The engine has already been run at redline before it was shipped, anyway.

 

What about an oil change at 1000 miles?
I have read that you should not use synthetic early in the engine life.
Is that correct?
When is the time to switch to something like Mobile 1?

Thx!

 

The engines are run for 100+ miles at the factory after being reman'ed. Maybe closer to 500. My mechanics recommended driving 500 miles without redlining [under 5000 RPM] to get the parts to work in, then drive it like you will normally drive it.

I put oil in ever 1000 miles for the first 5000 on mine. Using synthetic worked fine for me.

-td

 

I like 1999porsche911's advice. It worked for mine, 80,000 miles later.

 

I guess it cannot hurt to be cautious.

I will try the manual recommendations of 1000 miles at less than 4000rpm before pushing it. The 1000 mile oil change looks like a good idea as well. Most shops/tech I have spoken with recommend it, since metal flakes should be expected.

...so far, I have about 600 miles. I will try to put in the rest this weekend.

Thanks for the info!

 

the dealer told me my remanf engine didn't need breakin period. probably because it is built off an old core, they are already broken in. the other parts are already seated well. wouldn't be surprised if remanf engines are using other good parts from other core engines that were sent in for other defects and they just put the good ones together on another block.

 

what did the dealer tell you to do? I believe the warranty was 3 years unlimited miles right? Do the dealer suggested service for the next three years and you'll be in warranty with nada to worry about.

 

Yep. Warm it up, then run it hard. The cylinders walls are like sand paper to yours rings. The harder the engine is run, the more the rings are pressured to the walls. This is what breaks-in the rings for proper sealing. As for the bearing as long as they were assembled with the proper clearances they are good to go.

 

Dealer tech said no break-in required. ...just hard to believe.

My plan: 1000 mellow miles, then oil change, then I hope to take it to the track next week.

...only 250 miles to go. I have been conservative, but progressively pushing the RPM's up since 500 miles.

I will run in hard the first day at the track, but not press it to full out. I hope to get a couple more 1/2 days at the track before the end of October and maybe an autocross, so I'll get a chance to push it before converting to winter tires and a snowboard rack.

BTW - 2 yr unlimited miles warranty on the reman engine.