Running in a Diesel engine

[kev ryder]

not heard of a 500 mile oil change for at least 25 years,and nor have volvo,first change on my new v70 2.4d as just been done by volvo,as specified at 12 months.as for running in,don't let it labour at Lowe revs,much better to keep higher revs and so less load on engine.

[Clan]

If you change the oil at 500 miles the engine will never bed in .. the oil volvo use is a special running in oil ....

[John Davies]

It used to be standard to do 500 - 750 miles on a special running in oil to help the rings bed in. Many manufacturers have changed their recommendations these days, and some use a 'normal' mineral oil instead of a synthetic for any running in period as the anti wear characteristics in modern oil are counter productive.

After rebuilding any old type engine designed for 20/50 I use a straight 30 such as Morris of Shrewsbury's running oil, and for modern engine designed for 10/40 or similar a lighter version such as that made by GB lubricants. Both are available by mailorder.

The reason that recommendations have changed is due to improved machining on new engines to tolerances not always available to the reconditioner and amateur restorer. For rebuilt engines stick to the old fashioned way!

John Davies

[Teejay1]

I just thought I'd try and resurrect this thread. I wonder if anyone has tried and tested the advise given within and can you "feel" any benefit.

There are quite a few new Volvo's being ordered at the moment so it might be a good idea to read this thread.

I for one will be "running in" as many have suggested. Using the rev range and avoiding motorways for the first few hundred miles.

[RoyMacDonald]

I saw an in depth program on the building of the Audi R8 and they ran the engine at full power (Over 8,000 rpm I think) for quite a while, before they even put it in the car. Not a diesel engine of course, but I'm guessing all engines are tested before they are put into a chassis.

Someone who works in the oil industry posted on the forum that the XC90 D5 engine was filled with the Volvo full synthetic oil straight from the factory. Is he wrong?

[faffi]

Since the first oil change typically have been after 1 year or 12-20,000 miles for the majority of cars over the past decade, chances are overwhelming that they come straight off the floor filled with fully syntethic oil.

[amsoil]

The real answer to this exposes what has happened with 'synthetic' oil. Since a Multi National won a court case years ago a hydro cracked mineral oil can be legally (I am not saying morally) called a 'synthetic' Of course the chemists will tell you it is not but the the lid of the box was opens so to speak. So yes a synthetic (hydrocracked mineral oil) will run in an engine although not quite a quickly as a straight mineral. The best 'real' synthetic oils will simply glase the bores is used before the rings are bedded in. I know Amsoil will do this but perhaps here is the true clue to how much wear protection an oil gives. Bottom line is that in general you get what you pays for.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by amsoil

The real answer to this exposes what has happened with 'synthetic' oil. Since a Multi National won a court case years ago a hydro cracked mineral oil can be legally (I am not saying morally) called a 'synthetic' Of course the chemists will tell you it is not but the the lid of the box was opens so to speak. So yes a synthetic (hydrocracked mineral oil) will run in an engine although not quite a quickly as a straight mineral. The best 'real' synthetic oils will simply glase the bores is used before the rings are bedded in. I know Amsoil will do this but perhaps here is the true clue to how much wear protection an oil gives. Bottom line is that in general you get what you pays for.

That was an American court case so it's only true in America.

It still is, and always has been illegal to lable a mineral derived oil, however refined, as a synthetic in Europe.

[howie 1]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

That was an American court case so it's only true in America.

It still is, and always has been illegal to lable a mineral derived oil, however refined, as a synthetic in Europe.

No it aint mate in fact very few syns are actually true syns, most are derived from mineral oil these are group 111 types the only true syns are the PAO types both can legally be described and sold as sythetic oil in europe, you need to do your homework because the chances are that oil you think is a real synthetic aint

[amsoil]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

That was an American court case so it's only true in America.

It still is, and always has been illegal to lable a mineral derived oil, however refined, as a synthetic in Europe.

I do so wish that was the case Roy but unfortunately not. It also gets worse; what actually is a Semi Synthetic ? I deal in oil and I'm afraid I can't tell you. It would be nice to think that its 1/2 mineral and 1/2 'real' synthetic, but that would really be naive.