Quote:
Originally Posted by guyonblackybx  I was about to ask the same.
How can we determine if car is still in "Running in" period. |
If you have been pussy footing around in your GTX you can tell the difference in the engine note which I do agree is subjective and is gradual till it becomes dead silent and vibration free at traffic signals. In my GTX there was a definite change in engine note and vibration after about 9800km which could have been earlier if I had better
roads in Kerala to stretch her legs.
The objective method in the GTX is to remove partially the oil dip stick and also the oil filler cap on a running engine one or the other but not simultaneously. If air seems to be rushing out with pressure from the open orifice then the running in is not over yet. Excessive gas pressures in the oil sump is the result of improper piston ring seal leading to exhaust gases in the oil sump.
In cars where the oil is filled through a cap from where you can see the valves it is easier and better. If on removing the oil filler cap partially on a warm running engine and combustion gases seem to be escaping then running in period is still remaining. Why I mentioned this is because pressures in the valve cover is a give away of incompletely sealed valve guides and valve stem. Unfortunately the oil filled in the GTX goes directly to the sump and not through the valve cover area like in other cars and hence I do not know of any way of finding out gas pressures in the valve cover area of the GTX.
The above method can also be used to assess the requirement of engine rebuilding after a few years.
In my
Junkindica the engine rebuilding was required after about 30000km but I am still chugging along spewing harmful emissions. Taxi drivers using the Indica will sell their cars the moment they find gases spewing out from the oil dipstick(leading to oil sump) or oil filler orifice(leading to the valve cover area).
When buying a second hand CRDI engine from any stable do not touch it with a barge pole if gases are spewing out from the above mentioned orifices.
The above is only for the engine. The car has other moving parts too which need running in and they include the oft forgotten tires.
Bye and wear your seat belts.