Engine #2 is knocking in my 07 ST

[P M]

There is actually a lot of debate as to whether a gentle break-in is really the best method for newer engines. I don't claim to know the right answer, but many feel some hard accelerations and decelerations during the initial break-in are important to seal the rings properly (after thoroughly warming engine up). I'd like to know the right answer though.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I go by the conventional wisdom when breaking in ANYTHING, and that is, break it in the same way you are going to use it longterm, that way you will find out sooner, not later if there is going to be a problem.



This works for cars, computers, wives, whatever...

 

[Tom Schindler]

Heck, I've never taken any engine in a car I've owned to redline.

I do almost every day. When driving the Escort, it usually never sees anything lower then 5000 RPM during driving. When shifting gears, I usually shaift at 7000 to 7200 RPM.





Tom

 

[Josh Langel]

Exactly!



So if Ford's 4.6 can not take a little "push" fresh off the line, then I would be worried later on...



My brother owns a F150 w/ a 4.6, THAT ENGINE is a work horse... I would trust that engine over anything (thats true), so if Ford says that 2 engines rattle because someone may have redlined it when it was new, then I would tell Ford to keep the truck... you deserve something much stronger and reliable for $30k.

 

[P M]

As an example, Lycoming aircraft engines specifically say that running at low power during the initial break in will lead to a glazing of the cylinders, poor ring seal and thus high oil consumption. Once you do that, the only way to fix it to take the engine apart and hone the cylinder walls. If anyone cares about proper engine operation, it's aviators. Basically they recommend proper warming up, use the proper oil specific to break in, and then full power takeoffs and climbs and fairly high power cruise initially. What I would like to know is what would be ideal in terms of oil and engine accelerations during break in of an ST. Not saying abuse it, but running it up towards redline and then decelerating periodically may be beneficial. Any auto experts out there who have actual experience with new engines and different break in procedures?

 

[2]

PRM, it states in my 05 F150 owners manual that you should drive at variable speeds during the break in period and not drive at a constant speed. Don't know if that helps you out.