Running Break-in oil with every oil change?

[Noidly1]

What is the general consensus regarding running a quart of break-in oil with every oil change?
Other than possible cat failure, how would the engine like it? TIA

Oh, and just a thought, What if all you ever used was break-in oil and nothing else???

 

[QwikKota]

https://vpracingfuels.com/blogs/tech-articles-1/break-in-oil-why-it-matters

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

What is the general consensus regarding running a quart of break-in oil with every oil change?
Other than possible cat failure, how would the engine like it? TIA

Oh, and just a thought, What if all you ever used was break-in oil and nothing else???

No.

 

[Astro14]

https://vpracingfuels.com/blogs/tech-articles-1/break-in-oil-why-it-matters

That’s a pile of half truths, old wive’s tales, and hogwash that is selling a product, VP Racing break in oil. Build a straw man - create fear - sell the solution.

 

[CleanSump]

There's no point to adding "breakin oil"
If you think you need more zinc or moly, use a fully formulated oil with higher levels of zinc or moly.
That needing more zinc or moly is all myth too, but some on BITOG won't let go of it in the face of fact.

 

[GMBoy]

There's no point to adding "breakin oil"
If you think you need more zinc or moly, use a fully formulated oil with higher levels of zinc or moly.
That needing more zinc or moly is all myth too, but some on BITOG won't let go of it in the face of fact.

Fully agree it is better to use an oil already formulated with the level of ZDDP desired than trying to increase ZDDP with an additive. Too much can be bad and, well, without a UOA it is all guess work which is not wise. As far as needing more ZDDP being a myth that depends on the application as it can be very true in specific cases.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

If you have a much older stock engine (pre 80's-ish) with a flat tappet cam or a newly built hot rod engine with a flat tappet cam and high spring pressures sure....you could benefit from a higher zinc oil. But I'd use a dedicated oil made specifically for this application and not try and be a backyard chemist.

You mention cat failure which makes me think this isn't the case. In this case no, your engine will not likely benefit for a higher ZDDP content and modern off-the-shelf oil will be more than good enough. Adding a quart of break-in oil may throw off the additive balance and cause more harm than good.

And break in oil is only intended to be used for like 500 miles max. What will that oil degrade to after a full OCI? Again, likely more harm than good.

And for the record running a high zinc oil in a modern vehicle does not automatically equal cat failure. Long term high-zinc oil burning "can" accelerate cat failure but even then it is not a guaranteed.

What vehicle/engine do you have and what are you trying to accomplish?