Running-in Period (Breaking-in)

[s_and_m]

OK, I am sure it states this in the MINI pack, but what have you guys done for your running in period?

I have just done 1000 miles in a little over a week (I love my Cooper) and have been limiting my right foot. The first 500 miles I did not take it above 4000rpm, the next 500 I occassionaly hit 5000. The engine still feels tight and the clutch is slightly grabby. I plan to hit 6000 rpm in the next 500 miles.
On mostly Motorway driving (cruising at an indicated 70 (yeah, like) I am returning about 31 mpg and the trip computer tells me I am averaging 70.1 mph. Is this on a par with you?

Thanks

[s_and_m]

Am I missing an obviuos section in the user manual? Does anyone know what the tolerances are for rev-wear on the Cooper engine? Have you all caned your motors from day one or have you gone for the gradual approach? Am I being an anal *** to worry about such things?

[HarryHBMCC]

I stuck to around 4000RPM or under for the first 2000km (about 1200 miles) and then started opening it up to 4500-5000RPM or so until around 3200km (2000 miles) when I took it up to 6000RPM or so. By 3200km, the engine had really opened up a lot. By 4000-5000km on the car I started revving it a little higher and now I enjoy the redline now and again. The engine really seems to have opened up well by using this gradual approach. It is now free revving and has a lot more power than when I picked it up. It feels much more powerful than the 115hp figure, and all my passengers would agree

I get 7L/100km if I drive nicely or 8-8.3L/100km if I drive quickly. The mileage is better than when new.

Harry

[s_and_m]

Thanks for that.
I am am not sure that I can be that patient, but if it seems to work I guess it is worth while.
Deos the pick up below 3500 rpm improve with time as it seems fairly weak at the moment?

Cheers


Also has anyone taken their Cooper to a rolling road to get a true BHP figure after running in?

[HarryHBMCC]

Yes, there is some improvement at the low end. The irony about the break-in period is that you don't need to shift at or above 4500RPMs as much once the engine is broken in. Once broken, the power is still very weak under 2000RPMs, kind of weak under 3000, decent above 3000, strong from 4500up and pulls some Gs from 5000-7000RPMs.

Harry

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by s_and_m
Am I missing an obviuos section in the user manual? ...

Yes. (at least it's there in the US versions of the Owner's Manual )

Also, please do a search for "running and breaking", ("breaking-in" is the US/Canada term for what you Brits call "running-in" an engine) as this topic as been discussed extensively.

Here are two of the threads you'll find which discuss this topic:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...g+and+breaking

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...g+and+breaking

[s_and_m]

Bruce,

Breakinh means a visit to the scrapyard here in the UK so I missed this in my search.
Thanks for the threads, guess this one is now dead!

[benggolf]

Quote:

Originally posted by s_and_m
Bruce,

Breakinh means a visit to the scrapyard here in the UK so I missed this in my search.
Thanks for the threads, guess this one is now dead!

s_and_m,

There might be some hope for you after all. Notice how the rental cars runs smoother and faster than private ones???

I bet the rentals got driven very hard since day one and guess what? They go like bats out of hell!

[NEMINI]

When I bought my 1988 Trans-Am brand new I street raced it 6 times the first day. That car always loved to run HOT and fast.

[s_and_m]

Despite my efforts to kill this thread and divert you all to the breaking in/running in threads, you persist in posting! This shows the free thinking spirit of MINI drivers everywhere.
Having been nerdy over the weekend, I found an old book by Hepolite (makers of piston bores in the 1970s) who had two Cooper engines (958cc) and ran one in as per the manual and the other using what can only be described as a healthy disregard to redlines. They then put both units on a rolling road and surprise, surpirse, the thrashed motor developed slightly more power.

Not sure that I would want to take such a chance with my Cooper, as unlike a rental, I care what happens to it!

[benggolf]

So do you believe me now? Take it easy for the first 1,500 Kms. Change your oil and filter, then progressively step up your max revs. Do not lug (operate at a low RPM on too high a gear) as it causes more stress than shifting at over 4,000 RPM.

You should have a healthy, well broken-in and fast motor by the time you hit 2,500 to 3,000 Kms.

Good luck.