[Flying Scotsman]

I'm in the process of outfitting the hangar prior to moving the plane from the manufacturing complex, er, garage...soon, I hope to God...and procuring the expendables, consumables, etc. One item, of course, is mineral oil for the engine break-in period (btw...is there a recommendation for which one?), which prompted me to ask...

When do you start sending your oil in for analysis? During break-in? Starting with the very first oil change (which would be...? 25 hours? 10 hours?)? After that? 50 hours?

Just looking for good suggestions here...

As always, TIA!

 

[SHIPCHIEF]

mineral oil for break in is a matter of opinion.
Phillips Cross Country 20/50 ashless says right on the jug that it's usable for break in.
I got a leaky exhaust valve on the Cessna 182, which I discovered right after an oil change. I had a sump full of fresh Aeroshell 100 ashless. So I had the offending cylinder rebuilt, and put it on, running that Aeroshell 100. It broke in just fine.
As for oil samples taken during break-in, I say go for it! You should show wear metal in your sample for the first one or two sump fulls. Then you would see a tapering off as the normal long haul to TBO goes into effect.
If you are willing to pay for it, you may as well get the whole history.