FRS Break-in guide

[dsgerbc]

It's amazing how much BS are people willing to believe and follow.

[Subaruwrxfan]

Ugh, the "below 4k for the first 1,000 miles is only because of lawyers" train of thought makes the most sense to me, but then I worry about Subaru pulling the data recording and giving me some BS about not breaking it in right if the motor fails. Obviously I'd rather not keep it below 4k, but I will if I'm fully convinced that that's the way I'll get the most life out of my motor. I'm genuinely undecided.

[civicdrivr]

Originally Posted by Subaruwrxfan

Ugh, the "below 4k for the first 1,000 miles is only because of lawyers" train of thought makes the most sense to me, but then I worry about Subaru pulling the data recording and giving me some BS about not breaking it in right if the motor fails. Obviously I'd rather not keep it below 4k, but I will if I'm fully convinced that that's the way I'll get the most life out of my motor. I'm genuinely undecided.

This. They can pull info from the ECU. If something happens and they try to blame the break-in, I can show them the manual. Its going to be a painful 1k miles though.

But, Ill play devils advocate - I have broken in a freshly built motor in the past, using a very slow break in procedure. The engine now has 55k miles on it, runs strong, but does burn oil. Its likely the weak OEM valve seals, but since its a small amount Im not going to tear into the motor. I have yet to do a compression test.

[ngabdala]

We have quite a few engineers on this forum which would say go with what is stated in the manual and will give you the facts.

Subaru is not liable for ignorant/unresponsible drivers that don't obey the speed limit nor is any other car manufacturer. They don't develop a break-in period to protect themselves for any other reason than abuse to an engine. They aren't going to honor a warranty if the recorder shows a hard break in.

I will be keeping it below 4k for the first 1,000. Mainly so the recorder shows this and because I respect my possessions that I worked hard for.

Originally Posted by Subaruwrxfan

Ugh, the "below 4k for the first 1,000 miles is only because of lawyers" train of thought makes the most sense to me, but then I worry about Subaru pulling the data recording and giving me some BS about not breaking it in right if the motor fails. Obviously I'd rather not keep it below 4k, but I will if I'm fully convinced that that's the way I'll get the most life out of my motor. I'm genuinely undecided.

[Genomaxter]

You do realize that most hard break in are done below half of the engines total rpm range. If you bother to read them you might have figured that out. Hard break in center around high load NOT high rpm.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

Fucking idiot = Anyone that chooses not to break in engine as specified by the manual.

Subaru's engineers ftw.

you're a special one ain't ya

[SkullWorks]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

you're a special one ain't ya

THIS


This thread is even more frustrating than the BRz break in discussion.

we must however realize most people offering their opinion don't know what a micrometer is, have no idea what metal does during any conditions other than holding a magnet up to it, have 0 actual motor building experience and are forum warriors and armchair mechanics. For most people the breakin period is a complete mystery. Heck obviously the machining of the whole engine is a mystery.

I love the comments about this being a factory motor instead of a rebuilt or racing motor....like racers don't spend more money getting things more consistent than the factory. you think Subaru owns the patent on Plateau honing? I can tell you this much, it takes a better cylinder finish for Total Seal "gapless" rings than any factory ring.

If you want leakdown at 75,000 miles drive your car like there's an egg under your pedal. Loaded rings during break in always has and always will produce better ring seal and compression....think what you will but strong opinions unfounded make you sir the "Fucking Idiot" :happy0180:

[Dizz1e]

Originally Posted by Genomaxter

You do realize that most hard break in are done below half of the engines total rpm range. If you bother to read them you might have figured that out. Hard break in center around high load NOT high rpm.

So what do you feel is the way to go about this? Quickly accelerating. but keeping the RPMS under 5k up to 6th gear, then let off the accelerator and continually down shift to engine brake on an open road?

A lot of people seem to swear by the hard break it, but don't explain how to go about it or the specifics of it.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by SkullWorks

THIS


This thread is even more frustrating than the BRz break in discussion.

we must however realize most people offering their opinion don't know what a micrometer is, have no idea what metal does during any conditions other than holding a magnet up to it, have 0 actual motor building experience and are forum warriors and armchair mechanics. For most people the breakin period is a complete mystery. Heck obviously the machining of the whole engine is a mystery.

I love the comments about this being a factory motor instead of a rebuilt or racing motor....like racers don't spend more money getting things more consistent than the factory. you think Subaru owns the patent on Plateau honing? I can tell you this much, it takes a better cylinder finish for Total Seal "gapless" rings than any factory ring.

If you want leakdown at 75,000 miles drive your car like there's an egg under your pedal. Loaded rings during break in always has and always will produce better ring seal and compression....think what you will but strong opinions unfounded make you sir the "Fucking Idiot" :happy0180:

[wu_dot_com]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

because the manufacturer only wants the car to survive up to a certain milliage then they put their zero fucks hat on.

making a car that lasts forever is bad business

i dont know if this statement is true today.

how many times we or someone else we know bought a replacement item for a perfectly working condition item? phone, TV, sunglasses, etc.

people no longer buy things becuase the one they had was broken. they buy it becuase, they want/ need another one, they want something newer, they want to keep up with the triend, etc.

the same goes with cars. why do you think some people rather lease a car than buy a car?

it is with manufacturs interest to build a product that last as long as it can boost the notition of reliability, lower their short term warrentee cost, which ultimatly brings in repeat customer.

[wu_dot_com]

Originally Posted by Genomaxter

What people need to know tho is that engineers don't write anything. They dont even draw anything. All engineers do is design, analysis, then trials. Drafters do all the drawings and documentation. Engineers then check all the technical stuff, sign off on it then it gets passed to checking who consult with the lawyers. Lawyers have final say on anything that could cost the company money. Then it goes back to drafting for final drafts.

I know the engineers know what's best, but lawyers could care less and so do stock holders. Was there ever a problem with the first gen 1zz-Fe? Legally no, but they revised the piston design later because it had issues with burning oil due to bad ring design that was hit or miss. That was an engineering call to fix it, but if you ever ask Toyota if there was a problem they will tell you no.

I don't trust lawyers, so I won't trust "advice" on operating procedures. Most of the methods on hard break in call for constant high load, high gear accelerating and decelerating using no high rpms or brakes to slow down. Not exactly advice you want to give to a person who can barely handle a car beyond drivers ed. That's lawsuits material there.

are you talking about flight engineer or train engineer?

cause all the engineer i know writes reports, service bulletins, create drawings, check drawings, design and analysis, if the engineer don’t directly do those tasks, they at least provide all the critical inputs and the support functions finishes the task with engineers gives the final review. lawyers is usually not part of the critical processes unless potential liability problem is associated with the design change.

Don’t get me wrong, tech writers have the amazing ability to put engineering jibberish into useful English. But, the critical contents are typically provided by engineers.

[SkullWorks]

He's talking about any corporation that has an engineering Dept.

Aerospace is the same. I can't tell you how many times I have called the engineer listed on a drawing and he has apologized for his draftsman's incompetence...or he was completely unfamiliar with the actual part because he is only in charge of oversight...or sign off...yeah these guys put this stuff in orbit...scurrry

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by wu_dot_com

i dont know if this statement is true today.

how many times we or someone else we know bought a replacement item for a perfectly working condition item? phone, TV, sunglasses, etc.

people no longer buy things becuase the one they had was broken. they buy it becuase, they want/ need another one, they want something newer, they want to keep up with the triend, etc.

the same goes with cars. why do you think some people rather lease a car than buy a car?

it is with manufacturs interest to build a product that last as long as it can boost the notition of reliability, lower their short term warrentee cost, which ultimatly brings in repeat customer.

i dunno, might be an age thing

ive only ever replaced a phone after having lost/broken it, same goes for sunglasses.. don't own a TV

plus, are we talking about 5 dollar glasses you get as a complimentary gift when you spend more than 100 dollars at the Gap.. or a pair of 500 Tag Heuer's that you'd like to give you your firstborn at their graduation?

Everyone says that a car purchase is a bad investment. But i want to know why people consider them investments in the first place. Unless you buy a car so you can perform a specific job, it is not an investment, it is a LUXURY. And i like it when my LUXURY items last long.

More importantly i would like to indulge in the idea that if i had to pass my luxury items on to someone else, that they could enjoy it as well for as long as they own it.

Having a car fall apart after 10 years is disappointing (as i have found out with my Subaru). My VW of same vintage has seen far more abuse is in much better shape.

I expect to use my FRS for at least 5 years, hopefully 10, and i hope that after 10 it will keep on living strong with regular maintenance.

But that's me.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by wu_dot_com

i dont know if this statement is true today.

how many times we or someone else we know bought a replacement item for a perfectly working condition item? phone, TV, sunglasses, etc.

people no longer buy things becuase the one they had was broken. they buy it becuase, they want/ need another one, they want something newer, they want to keep up with the triend, etc.

the same goes with cars. why do you think some people rather lease a car than buy a car?

it is with manufacturs interest to build a product that last as long as it can boost the notition of reliability, lower their short term warrentee cost, which ultimatly brings in repeat customer.

Yeah, and also, if it is unreliable and built to break then I will look at other brands that are more reliable the next time around. They won't be getting any more of my money.