RUNNING IN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 152, 19 February 1932, Page 7

RUNNING IN

AVOID OVERHEATIN G AND | LUBRTCATE ENGINE j CORRECTLY. ji GOOD WORKING SURFACES. The task of "running-in" an engine ' can be full of interest and should not be the wearisome pilgrimage that many folks purchasing a new car (there are few enough of them now- !, adays) imagine. •i Study of the conditions of new en- ! gines after sustained and steady I speeds shows that such a method is not the hest means of producing good working surfaces on bearings Iand pistons. Under these conditions the tendency will he for parts to wear oval rather than round, and for high bearing spots to eause considerable friction when the engine is speeded up after the mileage set for "runningin" has been covered. According to tests carried out by the Shell Company, the hest way of "running-in" an engine is to run it below 25 miles an hour for the first 200 miles. After that the engine should be speeded up for short bursts only, and then for distances not exceeding one mile, the car should be speeded up to 35 and 40 miles an hour in progression, returning immediately to a standard speed of approximately 25 miles an hour. In this way the wearing surfaces will become used to higher speeds. Watch the Oil. The oil level should be carefully watched during the "running-in" period, and if a radiator thermometer is fitted, it is important to see that the engine does not run at higher temperatures than those indicated as safe by the makers. In any case, at any sign of the water boiling the engine should be slowed down and allowed to cool slowly. If after a period the engine refuses to cool down when running slowly, it should be stopped and inspeeted. The reafeon for avoiding very high temperatures is that the iron cylinder blocks require seasoning. When "green" they are very susceptible and may distort permanently if overheated. The main engine parts, such as cylinder bores, would then be out of line, and, thereafter, the whole engine would be running under considerable strain. It is always wise to change the engine oil after the first 250 miles, and at the end of the first 1000 miles the erankease oil and the gear-box oil should be drained to ensure the removal of abrasive matter which has aecumulated during the "bedding down" process of the vafious wearing parts. This draining of the oil should he carried out immediately after a long run so that the oil may be really hot and, therefore, really fluid as well as being stirred up. In this way the maximum cleaning will be obtained.