Running In Engines.

[Fab Estate]

How do you run in the 1.4 80 diesel engine and what is the maximum revs you should run at?

[Basil]

Think there are two schools of thought - one is run it in like a petrol, varying rpms and no more than 2/3 max rpm.
Other is when it's warm to give it some beans - if you do a search one comment was that this actually made a diesel truck faster than identical others run in gently at someone's workplace.
In any case, you should drive off gently as soon as you start it up - diesel's don't warm up at idle and extended idling from a cold start contributes to wear.

HTH
Bas

[andy2407]

Drive it like you stole it!




Seriously - that's one opinion, with the argument that everything beds in better, so it will reduce oil consumption later in life.

The question has been asked many times so worth trying a search.

I'm sure the dealer / the manual will have recommendations too

[cjb]

The manual does have guidelines. Basically, don't rag it or labour it, and don't drive it *too* gently either.

[Fluffmeister]

Run it in hard baby

Seriously, let the oil get up to temp by driving gently for the first few miles (Oil, not water) and stretch it's leg's, taking it up to the upper reach's of the rev range will do it no harm at all providing it's warmed up.

I have done this with all my cars / bikes and they all made decent power and had low oil consumption.

The slug is on over 15K now and I think it has had 250ml of oil (i check it regularly)

[JSJ]

The manual is clear on it, to paraphrase I think it simply says something along the lines of 'Do not exceed 3/4 speed or revs for the first 1000 miles'

[monkey023]

As I have said in another similar thread - Nobody really knows the answer to this as there is no conclusive proof of either method being the most effective. But as those above have said sometimes it is said that if you run a diesel engine hard from the start (obviously respecting the warm up period first) then it will bed in better and result in improved performance and efficiency later in life - what effect this has on engine longevity is more difficult to tell! However, if you do follow this strategy it has been said that the first 20 miles are the most important so you need to thrash it then as well.

The other option of course is the Honest John Method of running a diesel in:
First 1000 miles = do not exceed 3000rpm but make sure you reach that limit often
Next 1000 miles = do not exceed 3500rpm but make sure you reach that limit often
Next 1000 miles = do not exceed 4000rpm but make sure you reach that limit often
Next 1000 miles = do not exceed 4500rpm but make sure you reach that limit often
From then on no limit but make sure you hit 4500rpm through the gears at least a couple of times a week as it helps to keep the injection system free flowing and reduce oil consumption.

I personally use the latter method just to be a bit more cautious. It is however, your car so its entirely up to you and if you intend changing your car before 150,000 miles I doubt either will cause any difficulties

Mark

[Fab Estate]

I've just been on the Honest John site and to me his advice sounds good.