rebuilt engine - what oil changes?

[steveo3002]

ive just finished off a freshened up engine - not total rebuild but hone and rings , new bearings etc

whats your thoughts on oil changes to try and prolong its life

i was thinking drop the first lot out at 100 miles , then what maybe 1000? using non synth for now

 

[Bigjoe]

As far as I recall I was taught 100,500 1000 then 5000 all non synthetic maybe overkill but cheaper than rebuilding the engine again.


I've always followed this procedure and so far never had an issue.

 

[Gareth_16V]

100 miles then 1000 miles (with a change at 500 if you want) sounds OK to me, with new filters every time - of course as you already know the most important thing is not to baby the engine in it's early life, but to vary the speed and load to get the rings to bed in. A few reasonably brisk accelerations once it's warm early on usually gets the rings starting to bed in pretty well. Drive it too lightly and the bores will glaze and oil consumption will be high.

 

[steveo3002]

yeah i plan to use its full revs once warm

 

[Chris Stevens]

If its a high mileage engine with some new parts, the life expectancy will be linked more to how you use it, than how often you change the oil.

 

[Burdekin]

I changed the oil after the first start-up and run-in, then again at 500m.

 

[langy]

I run mine up for 1/2 hour then once up to temp change oil & filter, then again after 100 miles

 

[steveo3002]

I run mine up for 1/2 hour then once up to temp change oil & filter, then again after 100 miles

then normal oil changes ?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Last one I did, Vauxhall Astra. Used a lot of oil in the rebuild. Used a pump action oil can to fill the crank and cam shafts. Plus the lifters.
Ran it up to temp, Checked and re torqued the head as per rebuilds instructions.
Changed, oil and filter. Ran it, changed again at 80miles, due to a leaking rocker cover gasket. 100 miles was my plan.
Then again at 500 miles, then as per normal.


Oh, if you want to panic, fit a magnetic sump plug.

 

[steveo3002]

haha yeah id thought about sticking some magnets on the oil filter

 

[langy]

then normal oil changes ?

Yes then normal changes

 

[langy]

haha yeah id thought about sticking some magnets on the oil filter

I always cut the old filter open for a looksee as it can tell you a lot

 

[steveo3002]

ignorance is bliss i reckon ....if its full of swarf it would keep me awake at night

sounds like a swiss watch at 65miles in , might try an oil pressure gauge on it to confirm its good

 

[KemppiFrog]

Dunno about modern oils, but back in the days, 100 miles on the first oïl and filter, change, then go for it. Never had probs from the oïl or lube, just over revving on plastic Mini cranks.

 

[ms08]

Revving is ok but don't labour the engine. Vary engine speed as much as you like...no motorway cruising.

 

[Bill Edwards]

^^^ As above, but also add in some overrun where possible as it's good for bedding rings in.

 

[dannyp]

depends what engine it is, the early stuff needs to be treated quite gently to start with but not to nice. my vw 16v's get broken in very quickly.

once they've been strted and timeing check it gets driven, no ideling no cruseing. work it, engine brake where possible but keep the revs down to start with. first 10 mins or so i'll be self inposed 3000 rpm limute, then 4000 for the next 10, then 5000. then a good check over timeing check ect, look at the oil then it gets driven hard.


oil and filter change gets done after 250-300 miles. then 1000 miles std changes after that

 

[langy]

ignorance is bliss i reckon ....if its full of swarf it would keep me awake at night

sounds like a swiss watch at 65miles in , might try an oil pressure gauge on it to confirm its good

I personally always have an oil pressure gauge, it will tell you a lot

 

[dannyp]

with a good oil pressure gadgue you can make a pritty good estimation of bearing clearances on a simpel engine. personaly i don't run pressure gadgue but the enigne in my pet is't that expensive or uncommon. if it's right the presure is plenty if it's not the change engine light comes on

 

[brightspark]

dunno what the big deal is,. rebuild engine fill with cheap oil run 100 miles drop oil refill with new filter and synthetic oil job done . just don't hoof or strain engine for a few hundred miles. machining is a lot better than years ago so no need to run in for a thousand miles