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  #1  
Old 01-06-2009, 07:47 AM
noelf noelf is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cary, N.C.
Posts: 1,216
Default Question on Break-in Oil...

...I am getting ready for my first engine start (new Superior O-360) using the recommended break-in oil. I have Van's Oil Pressure line and restrictor fitting installed going to the oil pressure sensor.

The question I have really comes into play AFTER the engine break-in period. Do I need to drain the mineral oil (break in oil) out of the oil pressure sense line as I switch over to the "normal" recommended oil after the engine break in period? Or does it make any difference in the grand scheme of things??
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  #2  
Old 01-06-2009, 08:02 AM
David-aviator David-aviator is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by noelf View Post
...I am getting ready for my first engine start (new Superior O-360) using the recommended break-in oil. I have Van's Oil Pressure line and restrictor fitting installed going to the oil pressure sensor.

The question I have really comes into play AFTER the engine break-in period. Do I need to drain the mineral oil (break in oil) out of the oil pressure sense line as I switch over to the "normal" recommended oil after the engine break in period? Or does it make any difference in the grand scheme of things??
I am at the same plot with engine break in and do not plan on draining the sensor line. I don't think it matters.

What is important is to not go back to mineral oil after the change or to run with mineral oil beyond the time needed to stabilize oil consumption. Some engines break in sooner than others. The whole process is to get the rings seated and then make the switch to the ashless stuff. A friend experienced NO oil consumption whatever during the break in with a Mattituck engine, it is running fine after a couple hundred hours.

My engine ran about an hour and a half on the Barrett dyno and I have feeling it is nearly broke in already.
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  #3  
Old 01-06-2009, 08:23 AM
Randy Hooper Randy Hooper is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 227
Default

It really doesn't matter. You are going to have oil hanging around in other cavities. It will be compatible with whatever you decide to run after the break-in period.
As far as the oil pressure sense line, I bet that bubble of air will pretty much purge it any way.

Randy Hooper
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  #4  
Old 01-06-2009, 08:40 AM
Papa Papa is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 115
Default

Quote:
What is important is to not go back to mineral oil after the change or to run with mineral oil beyond the time needed to stabilize oil consumption. Some engines break in sooner than others. The whole process is to get the rings seated and then make the switch to the ashless stuff. A friend experienced NO oil consumption whatever during the break in with a Mattituck engine, it is running fine after a couple hundred hours.
David,

This has been my experience as well. I've been breaking in a Superior XP-IO-360, and have had no oil consumption. I have the sump full to 7 qts, figuring anything over that just gets blown out the breather line. So far so good.

Mark
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  #5  
Old 01-06-2009, 10:13 AM
Steve Sampson Steve Sampson is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire, England
Posts: 1,050
Default

Its clearly not a problem because the oils are compatible, but perhaps someone who knows oil can answer this?

With most brands is the content of the breakin oil in fact a subset of the AD oil? I presume that to be the case but have never been quite sure.
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  #6  
Old 01-06-2009, 06:27 PM
arffguy arffguy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 411
Default Aeroshell Answer Book

http://www.shell.com/home/content2/a...erbook.html#10

"Can I switch from a straight AeroShell mineral oil to a single grade ashless dispersant oil, or even a semi-synthetic multigrade oil?

All AeroShell oils are compatible and can be mixed with each other. Many single grade customers try AeroShell Oil W 15W-50 during the colder part of the year, then convert to using it year round. Others, however, choose to alternate between single grade and multigrade depending on the time of year. Either system works well because AeroShell oils are entirely compatible and can be interchanged as desired. In addition, if you need to replace a cylinder on a mid-time engine, you can switch from AeroShell Oil W single grade or AeroShell Oil W 15W-50 to a straight AeroShell mineral oil for one or two changes to break in the new cylinder. Then you can switch back to the ashless dispersant oil after the rings are properly seated. If you have a mid-time engine that has been run exclusively on a straight mineral oil and wish to try an ashless dispersant oil, use caution. The introduction of an ashless dispersant oil into your engine could loosen up some of the carbon deposits. So check your oil screens and filters often to ensure against oil starvation and/or oil screen collapse."
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  #7  
Old 01-06-2009, 06:40 PM
Andrew M's Avatar
Andrew M Andrew M is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Secluded Lake,Alaska (AK49)
Posts: 359
Default Ditto to

what Mike F says. Also be aware that the crank throws and C/S prop capture sludge that can loosen up if a mineral engine is switched to ashless. As for seating rings, 75% power or more. My understanding is the combustion pressures get between the ring and piston and push the ring against the cylinder. Those pressures grind everything together.

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