New F250, breakin question, 'significant loading?' - Diesel Forum

smotrs · 02-17-2008, 02:09 PM

I should be taking delivery of my new truck here in the next week. The suspension and tires have already been added, the navigation and entertainment system is being installed now and I have already signed all the paperwork so all I have to do is show up and drive away when the dealer calls me to say it's back from the stereo shop.

Anyway, I've been reading the 'Breaking in a Diesel Engine' article (several times now) and browsing various threads regarding breaking, but am concerned about the loading issue for the first thousand miles. In the article it says the following,

Quote:

This is the reason we should not subject the engine to significant loading for the first 1000 miles of its operation.

My concern is the following. I have a 21 foot Champion bass boat that needs to go into the shop, which is about 10-15 miles away, for some work in the back of the boat. The boat weighs about 2200lbs with the motor but I have removed the motor so I'm guessing about 1500lbs + tandem axle trailer.

Would this be considered significant loading? What is the definition for significant loading as mentioned in the article?

SmokeyWren · 02-17-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smotrs

The boat weighs about 2200lbs with the motor but I have removed the motor so I'm guessing about 1500lbs + tandem axle trailer.

Would this be considered significant loading?

No, assuming you drive like an adult. Keep the RPM below about 2,000, and accelerate gently. Don't try to beat the Dodge to the top of the hill.

Significant loading would be a trailer that weighs more than about 6,000 pounds, and you try to keep up with traffic in hills and mountains. Or a truck camper that loads the truck to the GVWR or more. And then you play High School Harry at every red light.

kehale · 02-17-2008, 09:37 PM

Just don't baby the truck. Meaning....don't drive the first 1000 miles at 40mph on flat ground to try to get 30mpg.

Start, stop, drive 65, go up hills, go down hills etc. Don't floor it and let it warm up when it's cold.

These engines are tight when new. With hard use, some may break in at 5k miles....others at 10k miles.

drive it how you're going to drive it for the next (x) years.

What the article is trying to say is "let things break in before loading it up". 1500 lbs is not a significant load. I have coworkers that could weigh more than that if I put them in the crew cab.

**KINGTUT** · 02-17-2008, 09:52 PM

Your new truck will not even know 2200 pounds is behind it, as previously stated just mind your manners for the first 1000 or so. Trust me 2200 is far from a significant load for your truck, to the contrary it is quite insignificant.

smotrs · 02-17-2008, 11:11 PM

I thought that was the case, but wanted some clarification. Thanks for the replies.

SVTKYLE · 02-17-2008, 11:29 PM

I picked my F450 up at the dealer brand new and went right to work with it the minute after signing the papers. But then again Im the one with the 9 page lemon law thread

**KINGTUT** · 02-17-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTKYLE

I picked my F450 up at the dealer brand new and went right to work with it the minute after signing the papers. But then again Im the one with the 9 page lemon law thread

massbadass · 02-17-2008, 11:55 PM

so in other words let the truck break in

929hawk · 02-18-2008, 09:52 AM

Just reading through the recent comments and read the "Break-in" article.

I am picking up our 2008 F250 diesel in a couple of weeks - first time Ford owner and new to this forum. We are then driving to Florida from Ontario with our 5th wheel (10,000lbs) so I will not have the opportunity to break-in the engine as suggested by the article.

Any advice to share on how best to make this trip to avoid any long lasting engine issues?

SmokeyWren · 02-18-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 929hawk

Any advice to share on how best to make this trip to avoid any long lasting engine issues?

Plan ahead. As soon as you get the truck, plan on driving unloaded in city traffic for a few hours - at least a coupla hundred miles. Your goal is deceleration, so don't use the brakes unless necessary, but let the engine decelerate on its own as much as possible. Red lights and stop signs are a good thing - you can coast to almost a stop without getting hollered at. If top speed is around 30 MPH, then lock the tranny in a lower gear so you can get some RPM without the tranny upshifting. Constantly changing the engine RPM is a good thing, so rev it up, then let it cost back down.

On the trip, pick your route so you don't cross any mountain passes. Tow with the tranny in tow-haul mode, at least for the first few hundred miles. By the time you get to Georgia, you can probably take it out of tow-haul mode as long as you're not climbing or descending big hills.

Accelerate gently for the first few hundred miles - don't try to win any drag races. After you get about 500 miles on the clock, then you can bang on it.

kghenson · 02-18-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Tow with the tranny in tow-haul mode, at least for the first few hundred miles. By the time you get to Georgia, you can probably take it out of tow-haul mode

Ok I was with you most of the way then you said "you can probably take it out of tow haul...."

Have you ever read the manual? Do you know what it does? Tow/Haul provides transmission braking and firmer shifts, thats it. What in heavens name would you turn it off for if your towing heavy?

929hawk · 02-21-2008, 04:54 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will keep the tow haul on throughout.

92F350CC · 02-21-2008, 05:48 PM

2200 lbs is a significant load........

for a honda ridgeline

And a honda ridgeline is almost an insignificant load behind these trucks

427tunnelport · 02-22-2008, 09:40 AM

As someone who repairs large diesel engines for a living: Vary speeds and loads for a couple thousand miles at least. These 6.4 will take up to 10K to break in.

loft306 · 02-24-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kghenson

Ok I was with you most of the way then you said "you can probably take it out of tow haul...."

Have you ever read the manual? Do you know what it does? Tow/Haul provides transmission braking and firmer shifts, thats it. What in heavens name would you turn it off for if your towing heavy?

Heh... tow/haul is great for getting started and up and down grades or comming to a stop, especialy in the ice and snow even if not loaded. But when running on the flat once your up to speed where you don't need any engine/trainie braking or a lower gear to get started get out of it and thus let the rpms drop and save fuel.

I switch between it and the regular program depending on the situation on the fly.