A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

[Pearson]

What is the best way to break in a new engine with steel cylinders. I always thought you wanted to baby steel cylinders by running at a lower rpm as much as you could, and run chrome cylinders as hard as you could. What say you engine overhaulers???

[M Towsley]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Or, just click here: http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/m89-7r1.pdf

[Pearson]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Marty,

That has a lot of interesting info in it. But it doesn't say anything about after the second hour of operation. It just says during the second hour to operate between 65 & 75% power. I always thought it took 25 to 50 hours to break in an engine.

[M Towsley]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Richard, I have no clue about engine break-in. I was just posting the link that the guy above me said to Google.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Good question Richard,a big investment and you want to get it right! New cylinders going on mine in a few days I have been reading and listening to different opinions. I will be talking to Mad Mike (engine specialist)here in the valley some more before I fly behind the new top overhaul for the first time.

Jim

[Robert Lees]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Richard,

I'm so disappointed. I thought you were a regular visitor to my website, whereby you would have come across the definitive Continental "break-in" procedure.

Here's the link: Don't Baby your engine

Take two aspirin, say three hail mary's and give your dog an extra treat.

[Pearson]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Robert,

I started my pentance with the three Bloody Mary's, I was going to give my dog a treat, but I fell down and busted me bum. That reminded me to take the two asprin. I had seen that document before, probably on your site. But I had forgotten what it said. NOW I remember!

Cheers!

[Robert Lees]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In



The "Special Relationship" always works!

[astjp2]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

ECI has a specific break in for their cylinders, look at their website for further information. Break in is completed when oil temps come down measurably during flight. Tim

[lawheelock]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

No matter what, DO NOT BABY IT!
Richard,
Rings need maximum pressures to properly seat. Watch temps, yes, use mineral oil, yes, on an A65 with fixed pitch, climb power is full power. Level at a safe altitude and circle the landing site always within gliding distance. Intermittently run it wide open and then back to not less than 75%. Fly for an hour. Land, let it cool, check everything over. Do the same again a few times and it will be broken in.

Larry Wheelock, BC12D N96179, A&P, IA

[Edwin Otha]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Richard,
Light it up and check for leaks. If it's not leaking taxi it out, run it up, and fly it. Full power climb to 3000ft, don't exceed max temps. Throttle it back, this is where it will break if it's going to, oil temp will stabilize or even drop a smidge. Back to full power and climb to 5000ft, oil temp will return to earlier climb indication. This means you're able to control your oil temps. Don't sweat the pressure, 15-40 at rated power is good. Most people try to keep the pressure too high, this just wears out the pump shaft bores.
I can't stress enough the need for proper baffling. If it's not tight fitting and sealed properly you will cook the top end of this little engine. It's not going to blow to smithereens but you'll be putting cylinders on every 300-500hrs.
EO

[astjp2]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

At 3000', I would be 1500 below the surface of the gound!

Richard,
Light it up and check for leaks. If it's not leaking taxi it out, run it up, and fly it. Full power climb to 3000ft, don't exceed max temps. Throttle it back, this is where it will break if it's going to, oil temp will stabilize or even drop a smidge. Back to full power and climb to 5000ft, oil temp will return to earlier climb indication. This means you're able to control your oil temps. Don't sweat the pressure, 15-40 at rated power is good. Most people try to keep the pressure too high, this just wears out the pump shaft bores.
I can't stress enough the need for proper baffling. If it's not tight fitting and sealed properly you will cook the top end of this little engine. It's not going to blow to smithereens but you'll be putting cylinders on every 300-500hrs.
EO

[Edwin Otha]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

In your case the only way to properly run in your engine is to trailer it to a lower elevation. Everyone knows that you can't break in an engine at high altitudes.
EO

[astjp2]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Yeah, like that is the western 1/3 of the United States!

In your case the only way to properly run in your engine is to trailer it to a lower elevation. Everyone knows that you can't break in an engine at high altitudes.
EO

[Edwin Otha]

Re: A&Ps Opinion on Engine Break In

Well just do what you like, I guess it'll be just fine. I just can pass along what I've found along the way. You can use the elevations listed as AGL if you like. I thought everyone could figure that out. I'll try to be more specific in the future.
EO