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6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Engine break-in????

Old Dec 20, 2004 | 11:44 PM
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pwrstrk
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Engine break-in????

When I get my new truck is there any kind of an engine break-in period for it?? I can remember back in the day hearing, "Don't drive it over 55 for the first 1000 miles" or "Don't let the RPM's go past this certain point."
 

Last edited by Daryl Hunter; Dec 20, 2004 at 11:50 PM. Reason: Remove bold formatting
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 12:03 AM
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Daryl Hunter
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The way that I do it is as follows:

Try to vary the engine speed for the first 300 - 500 miles, i.e., don't get the truck and jump on the Interstate and cruise at 70 MPH for a whole tank.

Some highway driving on a nice winding road where you are constantly varying the engine speed will do the trick. After the first 100 miles or so, do some nice roll ons where you ease on the throttle till you're full tilt for 5 to 10 seconds then let off and let the truck cool back down for a while.

Don't tow a heavy trailer till the mileage indicated in the diesel supplement that came with the truck, but do put some load on it. Build some boost and get those rings seated and other components operating with some load on them. This needs to be done in the first few hundred miles. If the truck is really babied for too long, the rings just won't seat right.

There are lots of posts on the topic, so do a search on break in on the 6.0 forum and sit back for an evenings reading
 
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 09:13 AM
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pwrstrk...It is important that when you get your new truck...read the manual... with special regard to the diesel supplement that should be enclosed. A lot of your questions will be answered then.

In the meantime read up on all you can here. Pay close attention to oil change refill as a # of issue from '03 thru current model here have been attributed to to much oil because the manual said to put to much in.

Not contridicting my first paragraph BTW. For a sooth ride so to speak read...read...and read some more. The manual is not the 6.0 bible but will have a lot of good info...just need to confirm what it tells you here.

Everything Daryl said is abolutely true.

BTW Daryl when will that check be sent? Oh yeah...In the mail huh?
 
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:49 AM
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Thanks guys. I'll do just that.

Brian
 
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 11:01 AM
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Here is a good thread for you to read:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ight=breaking+
 
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Old Dec 22, 2004 | 07:45 PM
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Thank you johnsdiesel.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2004 | 09:36 PM
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Tall Paul
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Originally Posted by johnsdiesel
Here is a good thread for you to read:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ight=breaking+
I thought this was a great article. Today I went to pick up our new 350 (see article in New Ford Buyer on what not to do), and we discussed this article with the service manager. The service manager and one of his top diesel mechanics, swear you do not have to do all the steps shown in the article. It was noted that this was before the 6.0, but that it still "probably" applied to the 6.0.

Anyone have any ideas why the service manager would tell us not to worry about the break in period? The service manager was very confident in the diesel's durability.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2004 | 09:40 PM
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Tall Paul, I do not believe your service manager. Read the first part of the article and that should answer your question about the service manager. BTW, I've known plenty of service managers that are clueless about diesels, and plenty of certified diesel techs that I won't even let near my truck. I believe that the article is still pertinant today, and it is still linked on the website for Diesel Injection Service, a huge diesel service chain down here in Texas.

Here's a little excerpt:

According to the manufacturer, there is supposed to be “no break-in necessary”? Many of the engine manufacturers claim that their engines do not require break-in. That is just pure baloney! Enough pestering and a few references to some of the Cummins shop manuals have painted a clearer picture. All engines require some kind of break-in period. This is even true with current technology.
 

Last edited by johnsdiesel; Dec 22, 2004 at 09:44 PM.
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Old Dec 22, 2004 | 11:31 PM
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Tall Paul
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johnsdiesel

I am very new to all this and definately a neophyte, but the article makes more sense to me than the service manager. It seems safer to follow its advice versus the service manager.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2004 | 11:39 PM
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I agree. Your truck certianly won't blow up if you don't follow the advice in that article, but you will certianly get a better break in if you follow that advice. Better break in could mean better mileage, and down the road less problems. Diesels also take a lot longer to break in than the typical gas engine anyway. I would ignore the service manager and take the advice of the diesel experts from DIS.
 
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