Is there any procedure for "breaking in" a used engine? I'm about to swap in a used engine with about 80-90k km on it and the dealer is telling me I should break it in. I've tried searching and couldn't find any thread/post about breaking in a used engine. I've also thought about it logically and it just doesn't make too much sense to me. I would have imagined if an engine has been sitting for an extended amount of time outside of a vehicle, it would be the same as storing a car for winter or an extended period of time, and thus the start-up procedure should be relatively similar no?

The dealer is going to do the following (which I know has to be done):
-Install the engine
-put in appropriate fluids
-run the car for 30 minutes
-change the oil

They are telling me that after they have done all this, I will need to change the oil again within 5 days, and again after another 2 days.

Is this overkill? Or should I just follow what they say?

 

Sounds strange,
though if it is a requirement of any warranty they are offering you should likely do it.. It is not going to be that hard.

 

wtf ?,. there is no requirement to break-in a used engine, the majority of break-in occurs with in the first 100 miles so it is long past break-in.

I would only change the oil as suggested if the engine was assembled prior to installation , but if the engine was put in as a complete unit I see no reason to do it. One new oil change is sufficient and don't pay them for any extras. They're giving you a line of b.s. IMO.

 

None of what the dealership says is necessary to maintain my warranty. I think I will go with the advice given to me in this thread. I'll make sure the dealership does that first oil change since I have a couple friends that work at the dealership my car is in currently. I'll then followup with my own oil change after I get the car back and put in some 10W-30 AMS oil.

Thanks for the help!

 

Change the oil early the first time. Drive as usual.

 

Your dealer is stupid

break-in was finished a long time ago. Check the oil when you get the car back (for some reason everyone thinks they know how to check the oil in this car, yet I keep getting engine jobs by people who swear the oil level was good)

 

People who work at dealers know absolutely nothing.

 

lol breaking in a used engine sounds like going out and trying to pop octa-moms cherry.

 

yup, it's really amazing. I went into my dealer a few months ago to see what kind of rust proofing products they sell (knowing fully well that they would be overpriced). They put me onto the the sales manager who told me I really didn't need rustproofing because the entire vehicle is made of aluminum. I said , "oh okay", and then left while laughing all the way to my vehicle.

 

To the OP, what happened to your original engine that you needed to have it replaced?