Break in period
 

I will be getting my baby back with her new head gasket today. It's been a week (the guy got busy, don't they all) and I have been sittin here droolin to go for a spin. Is there like a break in period or anything. I mean, like I wanted to go to the beach this weekend, but should I hold off on that, it's a pretty long drive and if the traffic gets heavy could be lots of stop and go. Anyway, he showed me the old gasket and it was blown out at six. If I recall that is where most of em fail, between 5 and 6, is that correct? Well, gotta fly to catch the damn bus but I should be driving by tonight. Later gang.

Scruffboy

500 miles shifting at 3000 - 3500 rpms should be a good break-in period

Thanks 2NR
 

I was hoping someone would get back to me on this.


Scruffboy

There is no break-in period after just replacing the head gasket.

As one guy I know would put it, "take that bitch to redline and see if she holds".

wow, i dont see myself trying that anytime soon

Re: Break In
 

Wow,

Talk about two extremes. I think I'll settle on something in between, but thanks.

Scruffboy

just dont drive her hard until u feel its been broken in, id recomend not going over like 50 or 60mph for about 300 miles

Thanks Marc
 

Yeah, I think keepin it at 60 or under for a little while is a pretty good idea. Better than "red linin the bitch" or driving like an old man. Now that makes sense.

Scruff

Well thats the only way you are going to know if it was done right. Sure you can baby it around to mask the fact that the work was done halfassed.

How do you think they do it at the dealer? I have friends that work at a BMW dealer and thats how they test their work after doing head gaskets. What are you gonna do, wait till it blows on the customer when they redline it?

I did it to mine, and she held together. Means it was done right. I don't recommend anything that I haven't done myself to my own supra.

And if you are afraid of taking it to redline, grow a sack.

If you haven't changed anything other then a gasket there is no break in period. What are you breaking in? Its a gasket. If the bottom end was rebuilt then you would need to break it in.