Engine Break In Procedure?

[Fishing-Around]

I bought a 70 horse Susuki 4 stroke last year and did the break in on exactly how the owners manual said. This is my first brand new engine and I thought that going "by the book" would be the prudent thing to do. I then discovered a very strong smell of gasoline on the dipstick and it was over full. I'm no rocket scientist but there is a problem there. i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they did there test and found that the leak down test was bad. They tore the motor down, honed the cylnders, re-ringed the pistons and put a "hotter" thermastat in it.

Now here comes the kicker, when I picked it up they told me that I didnt break it in HARD enough. I told them that I went by the book they said that the book is wrong . I now have to go out and do another break in on Waconia and they said to go for an hour and a half between 3000 and 5000 rpm with out stopping. Like I said this is my first new motor and just wanted to know what other items I should disregard from my owners manual, help please. Your guys' opinions go along way with me.

Thank's Fishing Around

[Sandbar]

Fishing-Around,

Sorry to hear about your engine problems. I have a 2003 Suzuki DF140. I followed the break in procedure by the book. I just had a new impellor installed, and the computer diagnostics showed 261+ hours on the motor. The motor has run flawless, I would follow the book for break in again.

Sandbar

[Dan Thiem]

I think the manufacture of the motor would have a better idea on break in procedures than the guy telling you the book is wrong. Try contacing them and see if they say the book is wrong.

On the other hand, I have always heard break them in just like you would run them.

I hope this one does better for you and good luck to ya!

[Fish Head]

I am in the process of buying my first new motor, a Suzuki 140 4 stroke. If a dealer told me not to go by the book, I would call the manufacturer today! You want to make sure you don't void your warranty.

[anchor man]

I have a 4stroke 150 yammy and they said to not run above 3000 rpm for the first three hours and then run like normal for the next 10+, without hitting wide open for more than a minute at a time. I haven't done it yet, so I can't tell you if it worked or not.

[leechlake]

if you go by the book you're covered, if you don't I'd get the General Manager of the dealer to confirm what you were told so you are covered. In writing would be better, the fact that it was fixed for free confirms you did the right thing.

[DougSpringBay]

You want to be careful on this thing. Just like they can hook it up to a computer and tell you how many hours are on the motor, they can also do an RPM history. If it doesn't match up to the "book" break-in period, you could be screwed on warranty issues, just like you had. Food for thought.

Doug

[Fishing-Around]

Doug,

Thats what made me nervous, they showed me my print out and agreed that is what the book said to do but to do it different Not to mention the threat of not covering it if it happens again My first NICE motor, I just want it to stay and perform NICE....

[fishin789]

If you don't have that in writing from the dealer, maybe they want you to break it in like that so if it happens again they can say you didn't break it in by the book. and it won't be covered. When a motor is brand new. everything is tight. It need time for the parts to wear in.as the engine heats up things expand. To much heat and everything locks up before they get to wear in.I'd be calling the manufacturer on this one.

[Guest]

Follow your Break in Procedure and when your at the end of the Break in Procedure hit your motor pretty hard. I've done this for my last 2 outboard motors with no problems.

Good luck

Brian Muskieschaef

[united jigsticker]

I've always followed the break in procedure for the first 3 hours of operation and then ran my motor the way I normally run it. Which isn't too far off from the book...

I do alot of excessive idling, and rarely run wide open for more then a minute at a time, if that. Of course, when my 96 Johnson oil pump failed at WOT and the engine went BOOOOOOoooooRRRRrrrrrrr CHING and then wouldn't turn over, that kinda makes me gun-shy for WOT operation anymore.

I know of the same issue with an Evinrude Four stroke, and the dealer suggested it is because of tilting the motor up and down, being a four stroke, gas makes it way into the crank case.

I used to follow a marine mechanic message board, and oil in the gas problem on four strokes was brought up at least weekly, so I don't know what to tell you.