Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

[Candyman]

When it comes down to it.. as much as i love this car.. i'm not really planning to keep it too far beyond the new-car warranty. So i'm going to enjoy it from day one. Is that unfair to the second owner? Probably, but you can't buy new things always thinking about their next life. The next owner will also gain the benefit of my meticulously clean interior, careful parking habits, and scratch-free paint

Manifesto of a GTI with nearly 4000 km's comprising of plenty-o-redline...

Will very likely be a far better engine than one that has been babied.

Opinion varies but a number of "experts" suggest the running in is done in the first few hundred kms in terms of rings bedding in etc

After that, it is case of not abusing the vehicle, good maintenance and common sense.

[cavinsoo]

Would tracking a brand new Golf R be a good idea to break it in? Not going to push it to the max but at least there are chances to drive it fast and on all gears.

[stickshift3000]

Would tracking a brand new Golf R be a good idea to break it in? Not going to push it to the max but at least there are chances to drive it fast and on all gears.

No worries at all.

I've taken brand new motorbikes from the shop straight to the track before, it's a great place to break in new engines. Just make sure to check your oil regularly.

I prefer to run all my engines in a bit harder than your average Joe (whilst still showing mechanical sympathy)...

[Buller_Scott]

I prefer to run all my engines in a bit harder than your average Joe (whilst still showing mechanical sympathy)...

damn straight. spank that isht (once warm, of course).

funnily enough, "strategic, gentle running in" hasnt seemed to work for any of the clio RS boys, who all seem to come back from dyno days feeling a little disappointed (as far as i've read, no one is making advertised stock power of 200, many only coming up to between 180 and 192/3 at most).

the evo magazine long termer, on the other hand, which had been thrashed like a rental car..... dyno'd 6hp MORE than advertised stock (200). no mechanical issues either, iirc.

so yeah. thrash it regularly.

p.s. this isnt a dyno discussion - the stuff i've read is mainly uk based, so there is no "the high numbers were posted in dense winter air, whereas the low numbers were posted in the middle of the simpson desert" factor.

[brad]

Would tracking a brand new Golf R be a good idea to break it in? Not going to push it to the max but at least there are chances to drive it fast and on all gears.

Start at 5/10ths & work upwards. You should feel it as it gets tight. Keep in mind you are also breaking in gearbox, wheel bearings, brakes, etc

[cavinsoo]

Start at 5/10ths & work upwards. You should feel it as it gets tight. Keep in mind you are also breaking in gearbox, wheel bearings, brakes, etc

Thanks, Brad. But what do you mean by "Start at 5/10ths"?

[brad]

Like 50% throttle or if a corner can be done at 100kmh then early medium brake & tip in at about 50-60kmh.

The best way I can describe it is imagine you have your Dad's car & he is in the passenger seat & you're trying to prove to him that it's safe to use his car at a track day.

[cavinsoo]

Like 50% throttle or if a corner can be done at 100kmh then early medium brake & tip in at about 50-60kmh.

The best way I can describe it is imagine you have your Dad's car & he is in the passenger seat & you're trying to prove to him that it's safe to use his car at a track day.

Right. Just take it easy. Got it. Thank you very much~

[easeup]

After that, it is case of not abusing the vehicle, good maintenance and common sense.

And when it comes down to it, an owner must assume that what the DSG allows is OK for the engine. I am surprised that the DSG in S allows the revs to come to 7500rpm... but it does. Which, once every couple of weeks, helps me surprise a HSV. But it's only every couple of weeks.. normally i'm just late, and late only means 6000rpm

[WhiteJames]

The Mark 6 Golf GTI is not far off clocking 27,500km. Only one service since new - 15,000km scheduled first service only. In others words, that's 12,500km since last service.

Oil usage - None.

That is despite a few short trips in the colder winter months. Very happy about this. Who said that the EA888 motor drinks like a siv?
Cheers.
WJ