found some very interesting break in info from John deere

[bogieboy]

was looking thru some cases for a bit of smoke coming from a brand new engine in our Dealer Tech assistance, and came across this...

Solution Number: 46833

Solution Summary: Engine Break-in Guidelines for Lawn & Garden Products.

Publication Date: Mar 13 2017

**Paper copies of solutions may not be the most current solutions**

Complaint or Symptom :
Engines may exhibit performance issues including low power, smoking, surging, oil consumption, etc.

Problem or Situation :
Engine not sufficiently broken-in.

Solution :
A variety of engine problems can be associated with inadequate break-in of the engine. Break-in is the period of initial engine run time that seats the piston rings to the cylinder. During this critical time the rings and cylinder bore "wear to fit" each other, assuring a good seal. Of course, a better seal between the rings and the cylinder will give higher compression, and therefore better engine performance.

What are the proper engine break-in procedures?

1. The engine needs to be run hard, under varying loads for at least 5 hours:

2. Run engine at Wide-Open Throttle (WOT) during operation. Limit idle or 1/2 throttle time as much as possible. It is OK to use partial throttle for 30 sec to 1 min to warm up a cold engine.

3. "Work" machine. Mow, blow snow, etc. DO NOT use machine for light work such as pulling cart or riding around neighborhood.

4. Check oil and coolant level often. Top off as necessary.

5. After 8-hour period, change oil and filter and follow regular service intervals stated in owner's manual. Note: DTAC does not consider an engine completely broken in until the unit has at least 50 hrs of working run time on it.

[Its_not_a_honda]

That is basically how I do my engines now. Hard break in.

[Magician16]

I've done it this way and the slow way, and I have never had any problems with either. Just make sure not to use synthetic oil during break in.

[bogieboy]

i also have done hard breakins, shoot, the day after i put a new piston in my shinray i was doing 50+ and popping wheelies....LOL