Running in a fresh boxer

alfettaGTAm · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 03:56 PM

Mechanic is starting on my son's 1700 8v for his sud today. It's just getting rings and bearings but I was wondering what the current wisdom is on running in a fresh boxer engine?

Did a search here in the boxer forum but didn't find anything.

Alfasixnut · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 08:11 PM

I would suggest using a good oil, gentle first 1000 miles ie up to 4000rpm (plenty of variation) with up to half throttle - then 3/4 throttle next 1000 - oil change, head bolt check - then enjoy!!

PSk · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 08:51 PM

Start her up and check for leaks, confirm oil pressure and tune is correct AND then just drive her.

The only thing that matters nowaday is to bed the rings. Baby and engine too much and this will not happen. Many people, especially motorcycle owners hammer their engines straight away (once warm) for this reason.

I would just drive her nice and spiritedly and then do an early oil change and then continue to drive her properly (ie. hard enough so it knows that it is still an Alfa). BTW: My father used to be a service manager for an Alfa Romeo dealership and the worst thing you can do with these Suds/33's is drive them too easily ... the plugs fowl up and thus you book the car in for a tune. The mechanic then takes your nice car and thrashes the sh!t out of it clearing the rubbish out of the motor, car then runs perfectly ... they chuck in a set of new plugs and bill you.

Thus make sure your son atleast once a week gives her a good thrash, seriously.
Pete

alfettaGTAm · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSk

Thus make sure your son atleast once a week gives her a good thrash, seriously.
Pete

auLabrat · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 01:50 AM

When we rebuilt my 16v , we used runin oil for the first 1000km, it is a fully mineral oil with no additives. i was told no more than 5000rpm for the first 500km, then drive moderately for the next 500km, then change the oil (i'm using fully synthetic mobil 1 now) and drive it how i like.

Its driving awesomely 8 months on, an regularly sees the sunny side of 6k

--Rob

evilgidget · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 05:10 AM

As soon as it fires up for the first time, make sure you don't let the revs drop below 1500rpm until it's warm, then get in it & drive it "normally" (ie, don't thrash it, but don't baby it either).

The best thing i've ever used to help with a rebuild is an oil injector - it's a 10-12L container that has a hose & fitting that screws into the the oil pressure sender port on the block - you then use air pressure to force oil through the galleries & fill the sump. Prevents a dry startup on a new engine. See if you can hire/borrow one from somewhere (i'd help, but NZ is too far from NW NSW)

PSk · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilgidget

As soon as it fires up for the first time, make sure you don't let the revs drop below 1500rpm until it's warm, then get in it & drive it "normally" (ie, don't thrash it, but don't baby it either).

The best thing i've ever used to help with a rebuild is an oil injector - it's a 10-12L container that has a hose & fitting that screws into the the oil pressure sender port on the block - you then use air pressure to force oil through the galleries & fill the sump. Prevents a dry startup on a new engine. See if you can hire/borrow one from somewhere (i'd help, but NZ is too far from NW NSW)

**Duk** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfettaGTAm

his Toyota MR2s couldn't hack the pace.

alfettaGTAm · #9 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009, 12:25 AM

The constant thrashing minced the NA rings, no compression on #3 cylinder. It was getting on anyway so probably not just due to thrashing.
The supercharged ran it's bearings. I understand this is a weak point in the 4AGE that the supercharger "highlights".

Hope you're doing something to your bottom end as part of the twin-charging project!

**Duk** · #10 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfettaGTAm

Hope you're doing something to your bottom end as part of the twin-charging project!

KACK · #11 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009, 07:39 PM

[QUOTE=evilgidget;759777]As soon as it fires up for the first time, make sure you don't let the revs drop below 1500rpm until it's warm, then get in it & drive it "normally" (ie, don't thrash it, but don't baby it either).[QUOTE]

obtain oil pressure by disconecting coil or removing sparkplugs then do as evilgidgets quote.have rebuilt plenty of engines and this has worked every time.

77SudTi · #12 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 03:15 PM

Once warm, it is important to 'bed' the rings. Out on the road at speed 50 or 60kmph choose a high gear (3rd or 4th) and open the throttle wide. Do this 3 or maybe 4 times to properly seat the rings for a good seal...then drive as normal trying not to go over 4500 to 5000rpm. The 1.7s are torquey engines, so the need to go near the redline hardly happens unless you want to...

Best of luck!