Hey everyone, I just got a new engine put in my car by Porsche.
Do I heed the break in advice in the manual for the first 2000 miles or what?
If I do it shorter, is it bad or good for the engine?
What did others do and were there any consequences either way?

 

I followed it rigorously for the first 1000mi. For the next 1000 I kept it below 5500rpms. After that I turned it loose. My car has used much less oil than the avg TT. About 1/4 quart for 2000mi. I currently have 10,500 miles on her.

 

Hi Neil,

I just broke mine in and pretty much followed the book to about 1200 miles. The main thing I didn't do is lug down the engine. I pretty much stayed at 2800 and above and varied RPMs/changed gears a lot. I didn't exceed 4200 for the first 1200 more than a couple of times. I just read a thread about what's done at the factory. They run them quite hard, up to 6K, for a continuous period before they ever get to us. According to what this gentlemen was told after recently touring the entire factory, break in really wasn't necessary. I will see if I can find the thread.

I still thinks it's a good idea to watch it the first 1000 miles. Also, I always warm up and cool down before and after hard driving.

Thanks,
Ted.

Hey did they say yours was a rebuild or new? I was told they don't do rebuilds anymore. Mine looked and acted brand spanking new.

 

Ted,
He said all new parts. All new parts that move but some of the parts that don't move may be from another engine. If that part was checked and ok. Does that make any sense? Looks new. I have not got on it yet. Only about 30 miles on so far. It is gonna take a long time to hit 1200 or so and hard to keep under 4200 rpm. It is my third car. Had it since May and only put about 3000 miles so far.
Yea, see if you can find the thread.
Thanks

 

From what i understand, due to the materials used and tolerances in new porsche engines, break in times have significantly been reduced. In the first 1000 miles though, as TED posted, it's still a good idea to break the engine in through loading and unloading of the engine through varying rpms. Let the engine run to opperating temp before driving (or significantly raising the rpms). Once warm, keep the rpms below 4500. Driving in trafic is a good manner of breaking the car in though driving long distances at sustained rpm is not. I know the dealers don't require or reccomend this (they don't think it's neccesary i guess), but i reccomend to all of my customers who have just purchased a new Porsche or for whom i have built an engine that an oil and filter change should be done at the first 1000 miles. Just inexpensive insurance and also, as you break in a new engine, there will be material that has come off as the bearings and rings have seated themselves which i prefer not to have floating around for long. After 1000 miles though, you should be golden.

 

Really?,

The manual says long trips and no rpms over 4200. I have read some info that said bring the engine to operating temp and then push it hard to near red line.

Sure confusing, never worried about it in my MDX and that runs fine.

 

I've never had any problems breaking in new engines in that manner- i think that long trips at a sustained rpm and load don't break the main and rod bearings in as well. The thing that breaks them in best is varying load. Throttle on to 4500, throttle off/engine brake (throttle off deceleration with out applying brakes) driving in traffic simulates that to some degree. Have you ever been to track test sessions when 993 rsr's or 996 gt3rs are breaking in fresh racing engines? They limit max rpms and perform that same varying load procedure for 45 miutes to an hour (time allowing, then go out and hammer on it. Has seemed to work well.