Firing up the engine for the first time after in frame rebuild, have questions

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by zx150, Jun 16, 2012.

  1. zx150

    zx150 Medium Load Member

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    Mar 30, 2012
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    I've got all of my timing troubles figured out and if all goes well tomorrow night I will be firing up my 4CK CAT 3406 for the first time since doing the in frame. This is my first ever rebuild on a diesel engine and I have a couple of questions:

    What is the proper break-in procedure?

    Can I expect high oil consumption for the first few thousand miles while the piston rings seat?

    What's the capacity of my cooling system? 1994 KW W900

    Other than vital signs(oil pressure, water temp, etc...) and leaks what are some other things to watch out for when firing the engine for the first time?

    Here's a quick overview of what's been done:

    In frame kit
    Clutch
    Remanned cylinder head
    Remanned injectors
    Harmonic balancer
    Pushrods
     
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  3. bender

    bender Road Train Member

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    Don't Kid Yourself
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    You don't need to baby it, put it to work.
    You might use a little oil at first, but not a lot.
    12 gallons.
    Just keep your eyes and ears open and enjoy the run in.
     
    puncher Thanks this.
  4. truckmechanic

    truckmechanic Medium Load Member

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    FYI I always start any engine that I do any heavy mechanical work to with the air cleaner tube off the turbo or off the intake at the head that way if something happens and it takes off I can take my 1/4 plate and shut the airflow to kill the engine
     
    puncher Thanks this.
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Truckmechanic has a good point, good advice with a mechanical engine in case it runs away. Other than that, like the others said, put it to work. The only way an engine has a good break-in is by getting the rings and valves to properly seat. The only way to get this to happen is with full load cylinder pressures and good heat. The worst thing you can do is baby it! Gears, cam lobes, and bearings are all designed for minimum to no break in time, so don't worry about those. Your first oil change is only 1/2 your normal interval. Glad to hear you got it all back together! Good Luck!!!
     
    Matt1924 Thanks this.
  6. zx150

    zx150 Medium Load Member

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    I'll definitely keep a plate handy to block the turbo off in case it starts to run away, hopefully it won't be needed.

    Anybody have a guesstimate as to what the part number for the oil filter might be? Just realized I forgot to grab a filter and the truck parts stores are closed today. The big chain auto places are open and they can't look up truck parts but they can cross the numbers.
     
  7. puncher

    puncher Medium Load Member

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    A skillet works good to smother it out also. I prefer Cat filters when I can get them but NAPA has the Donaldson filters which is who were building the Cat filters (not sure who is building them now as they're contracted out and built to Cat specs).
     
    zx150 Thanks this.
  8. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    The oil filter pre lube it, the fuel I always fill the head while assembling it to the top of the fitting at the front. Then assemble and prime a bit more. Oil filters are cheap I am a firm believer in changing the oil filter, after a full day of work.
    The run in, do not idle it, You did not do kits, so there is no break in period. Even with new kits, there is no break in period.
    The valve set I would go threw it after the first 20,000 miles at the farthest.
    Coolant I always add 2 pure antifreeze then a jug of water, then three antifreeze to two waters after that.
    Initial start up, run for a minute then shut it down and check all levels also check the transmission. run it at high RPM and check the thermostat opening temp with an infered temp gun and the fan in temp check it for leaks, wash it do a 20 minute road test, check the levels and the clutch adjustment be sure you grease everything. Drive it to make money between 1200 and 1550, higher for the Jake's.
     
    zx150 Thanks this.
  9. zx150

    zx150 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks for the info guys! The skillet sounds like a great idea but the wife would KILL me dead LOL. Will try to get her cranked over a few times to 'pre-oil' it and will try for just a bit stronger than a 50/50 mix on the antifreeze. I'm planning on changing out the oil filter out after the first few hours of run time just in case there is any crud up in there that we missed.

    Ended up not firing her up today, lots of little stuff like wires and hoses that still need to be hooked up and gone thru. Gonna try for tomorrow and hoping for the best.
     
  10. Peterbilt05

    Peterbilt05 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2010
    Moscow, PA
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    Your engine takes a CAT 1R-0716 oil filter.
     
    zx150 Thanks this.
  11. zx150

    zx150 Medium Load Member

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    Thank you sir!
     
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