Dino better for engine "break in" period? Experts!

[antiqueshell]

I like to hear from those with metallurgy and engine manufacturing expertise about you thoughts about using dino versus synthetic oil for the engine break in periods.

It makes sense to me that the exceptional wear reduction properties of synthetic oil might hinder the proper seating of pistons and rings during this critical engine break in period.

 

[sciphi]

I'd run whatever the manufacturer or engine builder specifies. With one of our cars, it was dino. With the other, it was at least a semi-syn, later changed to Full Synthetic during the breakin period. Both run just fine, with good fuel economy and power. Neither consume oil, either.

 

[UNC151]

Too many new cars filled with synthetic from the factory these days for this to be an absolute.

 

[Doog]

I run dino at least 1000 miles. Sometimes up to 5000. No difference. Now I have a new Toyota with 5 free oil changes so it will get dino for 25000.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

The thought was that synthetic reduces friction so much that the rings wouldn't break in properly. Modern engines are manufactured to much tighter tolerances so its possible that it no longer applies. I still break in engines on Dino then switch to synthetic at first oil change. However, the new Honda Civic Si is having a lot of problems with oil consumption when they are broken in easy. They come with semi-syn from the factory. I broke mine in hard and it consumes no oil. I think there may be a little truth to this still.

 

[troyb43]

with a new engine, there will be a lot of initial wear taking place, so an early change might be in order. This being said, might as well use dino

 

[Artem]

I honestly don't understand the question.

Why not just run whatever is in the block from the factory? If its dino - use it. If its synthetic - use it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
The thought was that synthetic reduces friction so much that the rings wouldn't break in properly. Modern engines are manufactured to much tighter tolerances so its possible that it no longer applies. I still break in engines on Dino then switch to synthetic at first oil change. However, the new Honda Civic Si is having a lot of problems with oil consumption when they are broken in easy. They come with semi-syn from the factory. I broke mine in hard and it consumes no oil. I think there may be a little truth to this still.


There is.

My engine is also known for oil consumption, yet mine won't use a drop even at the track.

Easy break in is not a good method for any engine.

 

[Eddie]

I change over to a full synthetic at the first oil change. Never an oil related issue and most vehicles sold at 125,000 + miles. Ed

 

[virginoil]

What wrong with initial factory fill and recommended OCI ?

OEMs should consult BITOG Experts for correct oil and procedure ?

 

[Propflux01]

No. It makes no difference. How could it even?

 

[doitmyself]

While different than automotive engines, John Deere, Kohler, and Kawasaki still recommend engine break in on dino or "special" break -in oil (JD).

So, some people still believe in the idea that synthetics are too slippery to achieve proper break in. In the case of John Deere, they are talking about full size tractor engines, not just OPE small engines.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicesupport/tips/tractors/common_stories/engine_break-in_oil.html#

"Important: DO NOT use John Deere Plus-50 oil or engine oils meeting API CG4, API CF4, ACEA E3, ACEA E2, or CCMC D5 performance levels during the first 100 hours of operation ( or additional periods of break-in that may be required) of a new or rebuilt engine. These oils will not allow the engine to break-in properly."

 

[Eddie]

John Deere Plus50 oil and all the other API oil listed are for Diesel Engine service and are not listed as synthetic. Several have extra soot protection additives for break-in of HD diesel engines. This does not relate to break-in of passenger car gasoline engines.

 

[Shannow]

I do frequent changes during break-in, and tend not to use synthetics.

A lot of drive-trains are "broken in" on a test bed before they get to the car, so maybe it's less critical now, I'm not sure.

But "too good" an oil, and light operation glazed the bores on may many engines in the '70s and '80s in Oz. Castrol GTX was one of the first "friction modified" oils on the market...it and light operation wasn't good.

 

[Patman]

Contrary to popular belief, synthetic oils are not "more slippery" than conventional oils, so it makes no difference whatsoever in the break in of a new engine.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Contrary to popular belief, synthetic oils are not "more slippery" than conventional oils, so it makes no difference whatsoever in the break in of a new engine.


The owner/head of product development of Redline oil is an acquaintance of mine. This is basically what he said. Although he said it is slipperiness (not sure if this is a technical term) is higher, but that doesn't really have to do with the break-in of the rings. What he did say, is that although he used to recommend that engines be broken in on dino, he doesn't think it necessary any longer so he doesn't recommend against it.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
I like to hear from those with metallurgy and engine manufacturing expertise about you thoughts about using dino versus synthetic oil for the engine break in periods.

It makes sense to me that the exceptional wear reduction properties of synthetic oil might hinder the proper seating of pistons and rings during this critical engine break in period.



Really?
Synthetic oils have "exceptional wear reduction properties"?
Stick around here for a bit, and you'll see how silly that seems.
Better yet, check the used oil analysis forum right now, and observe for yourself that there is nothing noteworthy about wear reduction with any synthetic oil.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27


Really?
Synthetic oils have "exceptional wear reduction properties"?
Stick around here for a bit, and you'll see how silly that seems.
Better yet, check the used oil analysis forum right now, and observe for yourself that there is nothing noteworthy about wear reduction with any synthetic oil.


Perhaps I should have phrased that differently.

Synthetic oils have more ability to resist wear than a typical dino.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: fdcg27


Really?
Synthetic oils have "exceptional wear reduction properties"?
Stick around here for a bit, and you'll see how silly that seems.
Better yet, check the used oil analysis forum right now, and observe for yourself that there is nothing noteworthy about wear reduction with any synthetic oil.


Perhaps I should have phrased that differently.

Synthetic oils have more ability to resist wear than a typical dino.



They do?
I'm not sure how you'd phrase it, but on typical 5-6K drains, typical dinos show wear numbers as good as or better than any syn.
Check out the used oil analysis forum for yourself.
There are only three reasons to use synthetic oil.
If you want to.
If you want to extend drains.
If your engine requires it.
There is no reason to believe that synthetic oils have more ability to resist wear than do dinos.
I use syns because I want to.
No engine I've ever used syn oil in has required it, and that is true for most users.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: fdcg27


Really?
Synthetic oils have "exceptional wear reduction properties"?
Stick around here for a bit, and you'll see how silly that seems.
Better yet, check the used oil analysis forum right now, and observe for yourself that there is nothing noteworthy about wear reduction with any synthetic oil.


Perhaps I should have phrased that differently.

Synthetic oils have more ability to resist wear than a typical dino.



They do?
I'm not sure how you'd phrase it, but on typical 5-6K drains, typical dinos show wear numbers as good as or better than any syn.
Check out the used oil analysis forum for yourself.
There are only three reasons to use synthetic oil.
If you want to.
If you want to extend drains.
If your engine requires it.
There is no reason to believe that synthetic oils have more ability to resist wear than do dinos.
I use syns because I want to.
No engine I've ever used syn oil in has required it, and that is true for most users.



Many manufacturers build turbocharged gasoline engines and say conventional is okay, but using synthetic delivers far better results.