Support Forums/Official Crowley Marine/Articles & Instruction

Break-In Procedure for Remanufactured Powerheads

Joe Foster
posted this on February 16, 2010 12:13

The first 10 hours of operation
 
• Double your oil with a major manufacturer TCW-3 Oil.
• Use 92-94 Octane Fuel from a major manufacturer.
• Do not use fuel with alcohol as an additive.
 
 
Initial Break-In & Warm Up Procedure
 
• Allow 4 hours at idle speed only for break-in of new pistons or rings.
• Avoid continuous full throttle operation for the first 10 hours of operation.
• Liquid cooled engines require that the engine be brought gradually to normal operating temperature to avoid cold seizure resulting from pistons expanding faster than the cylinder liner.
RPM Recommendations
• DO NOT RUN ENGINE AT CONSTANT RPM FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME.
• After gradually bringing engine to normal operating temp., operate engine in gear at approx. 1500 RPM for 20 minutes.
• Operate in gear at no more than 3000 RPM for the next 60 minutes.
• Cruise at 3/4 throttle or less for the next 4 hours.
• Occasionally reduce throttle to idle speed for a cooling period.
• During the final hours of break-in you can operate at full throttle for periods of 2 minutes or less.
 
 

Note:
• Use only enough throttle to plane your vessel and then throttle back to below 3000 RPM.
• Avoid operating in the 3000-4000 RPM range at all times during the 10 hour break-in period.
• During the 6th hour of break-in, plane boat quickly and then throttle back to maintain minimum plane speed.
• During this 6th hour, you can throttle up to 3/4 throttle for 1-2 minutes, then return to minimum planing speed.

Carefully following these instructions will aid in the proper break-in of your rebuilt powerhead assembly.