How long for rings to seat after rebuild?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 04 LowMax, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. 04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    Just looking for a few examples that guys have experienced as to how many hours and how many miles it has taken for rings to properly seat after they rebuilt? In my case, engine is a C 15 MBN. Went through my first jug of oil in 500km (300 miles). I've been told the best thing is to work it hard, and not to be scared to lug it a bit and get the temps up there, like 1000 degrees egt. I usually try not to go over 900 on the pyro. Thoughts on this?
     
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  3. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Everyone says load it heavy and go pull a mountain. In my case I'm always light so it was a no can do. The mechanic that put it together said not to worry they would seat soon after starting it up. The only thing special I did was not to idle for longer than warmup and cooldown. My truck before the inframe didn't burn much oil. It now always burns a gallon between 12,000 mile intervals. I dunno. Not excessive but still kinda sucks. Is what it is I guess.
     
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  4. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    It shouldn't take long at all. Modern machining is much more precise. Look at gas engines, virtually zero break in period.
     
  5. rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

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    It was around 35000 miles when my truck stopped using oil. I was using about a gallon every 5000 miles at first, then it slowed up considerably after 20000, and now at 80000 miles I add a gallon at around 15000.
     
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  6. droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    In 2004, had a 1996 3406E rebuilt by Cat @ 932k due to water in the oil (broken o ring);
    oil consumption before inframe = approx 1 gal per 10k. After inframe = approx 1 gal per 10k

    IIRC my 2004 MBN was rebuilt in 2008 @ 622k - galded piston due to cracked/washed turbo divider plate
    oil consumption before inframe = approx 1 gal per 10k. After inframe = approx 1 gal per 10k

    I'm an O/O; did not change driving habits during break in of either truck; with the 1996 I was doing mostly short hauls, usually 50-300 mi / day. When I had the 2004 was OTR 600+ or - / day

    The 1996 was mostly stock, although Cat had stepped it up a tad year or two before inframe.
    Approx. 50k before rebuild, the MBN was flashed to 6NZ with boat cam and DDS ECM.

    Most guys in my area seem to have similar results after rebuilds. Can't remember where I read this, but a gal every 500-1000 is considered normal for a Cat engine with any miles on it.
     
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  7. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    When I overhaul an engine, be it Cat Cummins or Detroit, I make sure the engine is primed with Fuel and oil. then I start it, run at 800 RPM for about 5 minutes shut it down and inspect it, check the coolant and oil levels. Take it out of the shop and wash it, leaving the engine running at 1200 RPM. Do the road test for 20 minutes inspect it, park it,
    I always recomend the oil filter be changed after the first days run, That gets the dirt out that will collect when doing the rebuild, and not to idle it. Be gentle on the start low power levels till the unit is up to 150 water temp, then give it as if it had a million on it. Change the oil, and filter, at 1/2 the normal time, then use as normal. The hardest thing on an engine is Idling, leaving it sit, to warm it up is useless, all you need to do is get good oil, and air preasure then go. If it is -30 things are different.
    Same as stopping, coast, gear down and coast, unless you are stopping at the top of a long hill running to cool it down is 100% BS, turn your fan on 2 minutes before you stop and coast it will be plenty cool.
    Some old Cummins would break the crank if oil temp was not at 140, and full load was installed, those days are long gone. Every time I hear about all the idle time I think of standby gensets, they start with multiple starters, and as they speed up, pick-up the load.
    There is absolutly no break in period on an engine.
    Just a thought!
     
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  8. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    I wish mine would just burn a little oil after my inframe. got so many leaks, which is worse cause it goes everywhere & looks like it's leaking a lot more. after taking back to shop last year to take care of leaks, there were more leaks. now I'm down to 1 gal a week leakage. have to reseal water pump some time the next week or 2.
     
  9. 04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    How come it's leaking after inframe? Didn't it get all new gaskets and seals? Not tryin to be a smart###. My mechanic was very thorough, and removed absolutely everything and either replaced or resealed it. I'd better not have any leaks for a very long time. Just need to be patient I guess on the oil that's getting past those rings for now. Thanks to all for the replies.
     
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  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    That's common sense for cool down. Sometimes cool down for my truck is about 5 seconds if my EGT's are down there low around 300* already and ambient temps are cool, but I disagree with not allowing proper warm up even if outside temps are mild. That cast iron block and those steel jugs expand at different rates. I never load the engine until I see 160*+ on water temp and it doesn't take long to get there on a hot day. Maybe it's overkill but it's my habit and I'm sticking to it.
     
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  11. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    There's enough clearance that its not an issue. The ecm also changes timing during warmup.
     
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