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Date:         Wed, 16 Jun 2004 13:51:05 -0400
Reply-To:     The corruptor <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The corruptor <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      Re: Break-in.......new engine (your opinion?)

Fist, i do appreciate your suggestions and comments, just so you guys know.

But i don't agree on somes points: 1)-i would never run a new engine more than a few minutes for the first start... just to see if everything looks and sound right. of course hydro lifter may not be pumps fast the fist time so noise is normal, but they should pump quickly, i would say 3 minutes at most. Second, the cooolant system is not bled, so overheat may come form there instead of overheat from the new engine parts. i would start the van again in the optimal bleeding position (front raise, bleeder screws open), keeping a good look on the temp gauge and using an infrared temp gun. Of course, make sure to fill the oil filter as much as you can before the first start, fill oil as needed after the first few minutes start.

2)-if the lifter noise is not gone after a few minutes on the second start, i would check and adjust those. Concentrate on bleeding the van first wile keeping low temp (am cheking the exhaust temp with infrared gun

3)-this procedure (bleeding) should take about 15 to 30 minutes on the parking lot, so yeas, the fist 20 minutes.

4)- Time to drive the van, slowly in small street around the house, check temp every 15 seconds, at any sign of overheat stop the engine. You won't like the following..... am driving the van with both bleeder srews open for the fist mile or so.... after i close both and open them every 10 minutes of so to monitor the coolant pressure and do a proper bleeding, of course, this is done going up and down an overpass.... if the engine is still overheating a lot, go back home and get the van on ramp and try to bleed some more.

5)- When bleeding is ok, i hoping for a slight overheating (a bit above the cooling light), this will be a normal and good sign.

6)-Am not changing the oil yet and far from it, engine have a oil filter design for that matter.... Bleed again if neccesary and when satisfy, go for a normal drive of 25 to 50 miles....if everything look normal, go for another 100 miles+ drive monitoring the temps very often... after that i would change the oil and filter. Now it's time (when cold) to make a second lifter / valve clearance check.

7),ake some small 50-100 miles trip inside your AAA /CAA card region, ha ha ha ha....

Cheers Ben


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