I've got about 500 miles on my new engine after a replacement for #4 cylinder failure. I don't believe this engine contains the special breakin oil that my car had when it was new. The oil in the new engine is extremely clean and very difficult to read the dipstick. The original motors oil at breakin was much darker and easier to read. Should I stick with Honda's recommendation to wait 7,500 miles for my first change(I waited till 5k my first time around) or change it sooner since it doesn't appear to be the special breakin oil.

 

I would change it after 2,000 miles or so. I don't see the point in waiting any longer. Whatever that you feel comfortable with.

Maybe delay going to synthetic until 7,500 though.

 

Porsche951,

I recently went through the exact same things. You are probably correct about the new oil not containing the "special sauce" additive from the factory.

I changed mine after 1000 miles to ensure that any metallic remnants that could still be trapped in the engine were drained out. I have a Spoon magnetic drain plug and noticed metal shavings during my oil change.

I would also recommend that you have at least 12k miles before switching over to synthetic oil.

 

The replacement short blocks come with molybdenum grease on key parts in the short block. This grease releases molybdenum into the first oil fill which attaches to the interior surfaces, as I understand it.

If there were a special first oil fill needed to go with the short block replacement, I think Honda would send it with the short block replacement kit to AHM to send to their dealers. Why would they risk failure in a many thousand dollar part for lack of a few bucks of "break-in oil"?

Porsche951, can you point me to the threads that discuss your failure. I'd like to add those pointers to my short block replacement thread.