"running in please pass"

[docgibbons]

i'd put a sticker in the back window if i could find one. there's obviously no call for them now with modern engines, even if anyone coming up behind would have a clue what it meant, but i'm in the early stages of running in a replacement engine, and there are even more euroboxes than usual hurtling up behind and trying desperately to get past the old girl as she proceeds even more sedately than usual.
my question, though, is this. There appears to be a variety of advice on how to best run in a new engine. Don't drive over 40mph is one, don't take it to the rev limit in any of the gears is another, and don't allow the engine to labour in any circumstances. Which of these is the way to go? Or are all three sound tips?

[Dominic]

I think that the owners manual mentions all three, but don't drive over 45 mph. This is for the 1098, so the 948 & earlier could well have a lower advisory top speed. Not sure though if that's for 500 or 1000 miles.

[Welung666]

Running in

It is a great mistake to drive a new car either fast or hard (such as labouring up inclines in top gear). For the first 200 miles (320km) 35 mph (56kmh) must not be exceeded in top gear, 26mph (42kmh) in third gear, 15mph (24kmh) in second gear or 10mph (16kmh) in bottom gear. The engine speeds should then only be increased gradually and progressively until at least 1000 miles (1600km) have been covered

Hope thats a help Doc

[Willie]

I think that the 'do not let the engine labour' is the important point. It is better to increase the revs by changing down rather than let the engine
struggle. It is perfectly acceptable to build up quite a speed when there is
litttle or no load i.e. going down a long incline as long as you do not maintain it for too long.

[bmcecosse]

It will take 'for ever' if you don't go over 45 mph. Just don't rev the nuts off it for the first 500 miles - drive it sensibly - I would say not over 60 mph. Then torque down the head and re-adjust the valves - and off you go!! Just make up a sticker on the computer - they used to be a mid-blue on white strip of paper. I made one some years ago - just for a laugh - and spent most of the journeys in the outside lane passing all the slow modern cars !!

[Axolotl]

Apart from being a little piece of historic whimsy, I think that a "Running in" sticker is, and always was, pointless.

If you come up behind someone who's going slower than you want to go, and there's a safe opportunity to pass them, you'll pass them.

If there is no opportunity to pass, and you are the fuming type, you'll fume. A sticker isn't going to make a scrap of difference.

You don't wait for an invitation to pass a slower vehicle, written or otherwise.

[pim123]

You can get these at the Dutch Minor club...but it say's "Word ingereden" ... so don't think that will help

[mal]

I like the ones with ' baby on board' as they tear past you at 90mph, kids hanging on to their seats
Don't think many people know what the running in sign means these days

Mal

[Tris]

yes the ones that mean "drive carefully so you dont hit me" ... shouldnt we do that anyway??

[alex_holden]

The idea behind "Baby on Board" is that it tells emergency services attending an accident that there may be a child trapped in the car. Unfortunately most people don't bother taking the sign down when there isn't a baby in the car. Firemen have been injured searching burning cars for non-existent children due to thoughtless use of these signs.

[Kevin]

"Word ingereden" ... so don't think that will help

I dont know Pim a sign in Dutch would make some think !!!!!!! so it may be a help

[mal]

The idea behind "Baby on Board" is that it tells emergency services attending an accident that there may be a child trapped in the car.

Twas only a joke

Mal

[Axolotl]

it tells emergency services attending an accident that there may be a child trapped in the car

Surely a child seat would do that?

[eamonn]

One recorded case of child and child seat ejected from car in night-time crash. Emergency services didn't find unconscious child for some time.
But, as alex points out, several other cases of fire-crew injuring themselves searching for babies "on board" when there were none.

[Axolotl]

I just don't accept the logic of such stickers being intended for rescue services. "Baby on board" indeed! Why not "One / Two / Three / Four adults on board"? There have been cases of incompetent police failing to find adults in vehicle crashes too. It is nonsense.

"Dog / cat in a basket on board"? (Come to think of it, I have actually seen "Show dogs in transit", as if they are somehow better than your standard mutt.)

This seems to be another example of people being unable to take any sort of sensible action unless instructed to do so in words of one syllable and, preferably, pictures to accompany them.

[Robins]

Aparently you got to run the engine hard! Gives more power in the end and less wear than the method in your manual says, don't believe me Take a look at this website:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[eamonn]

I just don't accept the logic of such stickers being intended for rescue services. "Baby on board" indeed! Why not "One / Two / Three / Four adults on board"? There have been cases of incompetent police failing to find adults in vehicle crashes too.

"incompetent" might possibly be a bit unkind unless you have been up to your waist in a water filled ditch at a night trying to determine how many casualties are in an upside down car.

[Axolotl]

Aparently you got to run the engine hard!

I note he uses the phrase "break in" not run in . Sounds to me like a good way to ruin a perfectly good engine.

Also, his theory only talks about the piston ring seal. There is more to running in a new or rebuilt engine than just that. The bearing surfaces also need to "bed in" to remove imperfections and achieve the best fit to give you longer bearing life.

His examples are motor bike engines, and I'd guess most motor bikes don't make it past 20,000 miles before they are sold on, so some other poor sap gets the "benefit" of this running in technique.

He is also talking about engines bult using the latest materials and manufacturing techniques, which, I suspect most Minor rebuilds and parts are not.

Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I'll stick to the tried and tested (by millions) approach.

[Axolotl]

"incompetent" might possibly be a bit unkind unless you have been up to your waist in a water filled ditch at a night trying to determine how many casualties are in an upside down car.

Looking for stickers, presumably?

[eamonn]

No, I quite obviously was not looking for stickers.