How to Run in Your Engine and Keep Your Warranty

RECOMMENDED RUNNING IN PROCEDURE

Petrol – Diesel and Gas engines

Do we get asked what is the best way to run in a Reconditioned engine?

The first several hours of a reconditioned engine are crucial to ensure efficiency and optimum performance throughout the engine life. Always follow the manufacturer’s run-in procedure if one is available.

It is very important to ensure that the engine is not running too long at idle and is given load As soon as possible after initial start-up. Turbo Cooldown timers fitted to engines must be set to no more than 1 minute for the first 1000Kms of the reconditioned engines life. This will ensure that the piston rings will bed incorrectly and minimize the potential of bore glazing. This occurs when the engine has had insufficient hard work or prolonged idling periods during the Running in the period. You must not use friction modified oil or oil Additives during this period. A warranty claim resulting from excessive oil use through glazing or seizing caused by incorrect Running in will not be accepted.

We recommend you use Total Oils Rubia S30W for the initial running-in procedure or equivalent single weight mineral oil

We do not recommend any synthetic or semi-synthetic oils during run-in periods, most diesel engines specifically in light vehicles react badly to the additives tend to seep into the pores of the porous engine blocks such as the Toyota engines have and this can lead to the glazing of the bores.

Pre-Lube

Please call your ERAA Engine Reconditioner

For details on the specific start-up procedure required for this engine to ensure that the Camshaft which has been fitted is not damaged. Any warranty claim following an incorrect start-up procedure will not be considered by your repairer.

HEAD

For engines that have Roller Rockers Cut off fuel and electrical supply, remove spark plugs, glow plugs or injectors and crank engine while observing oil pressure. If the oil pressure is below the manufacturer’s recommendations, then please fix this before proceeding.

Startup

Reassemble if necessary, start the engine and again check oil pressure. Turn on the heater and any other water accessory to prevent airlocks in the cooling system, and look for oil or water Leaks. If any are found or if the abnormal engine.

Noises are heard, shut the engine down and correct. Run engine at 1500 to 2000 rpm for 15 minutes to run in camshaft and tappets/lifters, or as Advised by your engine reconditioner. RPM may vary depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. Test engine by dyno or by road test for approx. 45 minutes, taking note of oil pressure and water temperature. Do not let the engine run past 75% of its recommended maximum RPM level as per the manufacturer’s specifications. We generally don’t surpass 3000RPM for the 1st 1000km and 3500rpm for the next 4000km.

Make the engine work within the first 5000 kms. Accelerate hard several times from 60 to 110 Km/h in high gear with a brief return to 60 km/h in Between. Automatics should be held in 2nd gear at a somewhat lower speed, this provides load to build up the pressure behind the compression Piston rings and help them bed in, we also recommend working the vehicles up through the hills in high gear with weight behind the car ensuring it works, a fully-loaded car or a light trailer can help in this matter, the hills provide a natural up and down in the engine load with general speeds to give your engine a greater chance at bedding incorrectly.

Important

In the first one thousand kilometres, both prolonged high and low speeds should be avoided. Alternating speeds from 60-110 Kms Are recommended.

Do not let petrol or gas engines idle for any longer than 5 minutes. Diesel should not idle for any longer than 2 minutes, we recommend starting your car waiting a minute and then driving off slowly at ease until the engine is up to operating temperature Please check the Settings for the turbocharger timer if Applicable to ensure that the above idling times are not exceeded during the running-in period and set to a maximum of 1-minute cool downtime. Dual fuel engines must be run in as above on Petrol for the first 5000 km, before Switching to gas.

Any questions contact us on the form below.