Diesel Engine Temp & Break In

[JD Green]

I have a new John Deere X Series 595 Lawn and Garden tractor. It is about a year old now and has 100 hrs. on it. This has the 24 HP 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel engine. It may be a little bit late now, but I was just wondering if there was any relationship between engine temperature and a proper break in? The reason I ask is that let's say the temp gauge operating temp (green) range is about 1 1/2" radially, at operating temp the needle is only in the green by about 1/4". I don't know what temperature this engine is running at, but just wondering, if the engine is not running hot enough, would this contribute to a "poor" break in? Or is this a non issue, as long as the needle is in the green range? I will ask this question to the mechanics at the JD dealership next time I visit them, but wanted your opinion(s) in the mean time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[2manydogs]

A little late for a reply, but, straight from a JD dealership mechanic: let it warm up a bit before applying a load, idle it for a few minutes before shutting it off, change oil and filter religiously, make sure the air filter is properly sealed and clean, change coolant once a year. That will ensure the engine you now have will outlast any other part on that mower three times over. Yanmars are very good engines. Now, the temp gauge, never seen 2 read the same. Buy a infrared temp gun, get some base line readings and mark the gauge with a Sharpie or something so you know when something is out of whack. Overheating is a no-no. Good luck to ya! Jim