Engine break-in on Mobile 1?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 10
From: Woodland CA
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Engine break-in on Mobile 1?
I work in the industrial engine world and it is standard practice to break an engine in on regular petroleum based oils for a period of time before switching to the synthetic oils. But our vettes come from the factory with Mobil 1 synthetic in them from the start. Is this a good idea? Should we be breaking-in our engines on petroleum based oil first then going to the Mobil 1?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I think it is a myth that synthetic oil is too slick to seat the rings, etc., so the break in should be on petroleum based oil.
I believe the engines are all run at the assembly plant, and the cars are actually put on a dyno as they come off the line, so the "break-in" period may not be as critical as most people think.
In the past, engine break-in was necessary to remove any metal flashing (called swarf) or abrasive material left inside the engine after machining, as well as to allow the valves and rings to ‘seat’ properly. Today’s engines are built with much tighter tolerances, much improved machining and under much cleaner conditions compared to the engines of 10 or 20 years ago. Current engine-manufacturing technology does not require a break-in period using petroleum-based motor oils.
In fact, Mobil 1 has shown excellent results in industry-standard ASTM tests, most of which use completely rebuilt engines for each new test run. Mobil 1’s outstanding results in these tests demonstrate that proper break-in using Mobil 1 is not a concern. Mobil 1 can be used in an engine from the day you drive off the showroom floor.
Trust the engineers that specify Mobil 1 as original equipment (‘factory fill’) in some of the world’s finest automobiles!
I believe the engines are all run at the assembly plant, and the cars are actually put on a dyno as they come off the line, so the "break-in" period may not be as critical as most people think.
In the past, engine break-in was necessary to remove any metal flashing (called swarf) or abrasive material left inside the engine after machining, as well as to allow the valves and rings to ‘seat’ properly. Today’s engines are built with much tighter tolerances, much improved machining and under much cleaner conditions compared to the engines of 10 or 20 years ago. Current engine-manufacturing technology does not require a break-in period using petroleum-based motor oils.
In fact, Mobil 1 has shown excellent results in industry-standard ASTM tests, most of which use completely rebuilt engines for each new test run. Mobil 1’s outstanding results in these tests demonstrate that proper break-in using Mobil 1 is not a concern. Mobil 1 can be used in an engine from the day you drive off the showroom floor.
Trust the engineers that specify Mobil 1 as original equipment (‘factory fill’) in some of the world’s finest automobiles!
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Aug 22, 2006 at 08:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,407
Likes: 288
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Since the last C5 was made over 2 years ago, i think it is safe to say that just about all of them are broken in.
The OM only states that following break-in procedures:
Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
• Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the first 500 miles (805 km).
• Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
• Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
The OM only states that following break-in procedures:
Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
• Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the first 500 miles (805 km).
• Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
• Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
it has to do with the rings seating and the engines come from the factory with the rings seated. I'm not sure if the original oil from the factory is Mobile 1 but after about 5,000 miles the rings are seated real good. All the new cars I buy I wait till at least 5,000 miles before I do the first oil change with Mobile 1. I have had sever people try to break in a new engine with Mobile 1 and the rings take way too long to seat, if they do ever seat at all. They need some friction to do that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
Synthetic oil typically should not be used when breaking in a fresh engine. The rings will not seat properly. It is my understanding that engines factory filled with synthetic oil receive a “special” final hone on the cylinder liners to compensate for the synthetic oil.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Don't know if you guys saw this article, but it is an iteresting discussion on how motor oil has changed significantly over the past several years. Might change your mind about the type of oil you need to be using particularly during break-in.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by John@SDPC
Don't know if you guys saw this article, but it is an iteresting discussion on how motor oil has changed significantly over the past several years. Might change your mind about the type of oil you need to be using particularly during break-in.
DH
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